Org. Setting and ReportingThis post is located in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in Kinshasa. Kinshasa is classified as a “C” hardship duty station and a family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Director of the Political Affairs Division and through him/her to the Director of the Political Affairs Division. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in the Eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandate of MONUSCO, analyses their implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. - Support regional peace processes, the fight against cross-border trafficking of natural resources by criminal networks and the revitalization of the PSC framework in close coordination with the office of the Special Envoy. - Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the regional affairs section of the Political Affairs Division of MONUSCO, i.e., conflict prevention and resolution, good offices, sustaining peace election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; contributes to the political affairs work to the protection of civilians’ and stabilization mandate of the Mission ; incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the section including by promoting the women protection agenda through initiatives designed to strengthen the participation, representation and protection of women in conflict resolution and negotiation processes. - Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring the involvement and participation of various United Nations entities and regional actors. - Prepares briefing notes, talking points and updated early warning/political/conflict analyses to support the good offices of the Director, the Head of Mission and other senior staff . - Designs sustaining peace initiatives; advises on and participates in the implementation of regional and country-specific sustaining peace strategies and frameworks. - Leads, directs and manages a work team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs. - Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on regional peace and security trends in Eastern Africa, including jointly with relevant UN entities (special political missions, peacekeeping operations, regional offices of UN agencies, UN country teams, etc.) and makes recommendations to MONUSCO and other United Nations entities on actions needed to address emerging or persisting threats. - Implements the gender parity strategy of the Mission and contributes to gender mainstreaming in the Division. - Represents the Political Affairs Division or MONUSCO at round tables, seminars and conferences. - Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries of parties and manages operations involving several components, including civilian, military and humanitarian operations. - Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Political Affairs Division; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and team. - Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials, civil society representatives, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders and advises them on the mandate of the Mission and issues relevant for protection of civilians and the stabilization of eastern DRC and policies of mutual concern. - Performs other related duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: - Staff within the team, the Political Affairs Division and other sections and units within MONUSCO. - Desk officers in the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (DPPA) and other departments and agencies. - Counterparts in other UN special political missions, peacekeeping operations, regional offices of UN entities and United Nations country teams. - Senior officials of international financial institutions and regional organizations. - Members of the academic community, institutes and foundations. - Civil society organizations, including youth and women's groups. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the political issues related to the Eastern DRC and Great Lakes Region. Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. JUDGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, diplomacy, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience working with a regional setting with the United Nations or another international organization is required. At least five years' experience serving in a conflict or post-conflict situation and/or supporting countries in political transitions is desirable. Work experience in Great Lakes region of Africa on peace and security related issues, is desirable. Experience in gender mainstreaming activities and designing initiatives supporting the Women protection agenda (WPA) is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French, (both oral and written) is required. AssessmentNot available. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. 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