Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), based in New York, USA. UNAOC is a United Nations entity that builds bridges between societies, promotes dialogue and understanding, and seeks to forge the collective political will required to accomplish these tasks. UNAOC works as a convener and facilitator to bring all sectors of society together to strengthen intercultural and interreligious dialogue to diminish hostility, and promote mutual respect and harmony among the people and cultures of the world. UNAOC's activities are fashioned around the five pillars of Education, Youth, Migration, Media, and Women as peace mediators in identity-based settings. The incumbent will report to the Director of UNAOC Secretariat. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer (Human Rights) will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Senior Political Affairs Officers/Committee Secretaries) • Formulates political and human rights affairs strategies, including from a gender equality perspective; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long range solutions to political and human rights problems in general and in specific geographical areas; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. • Participates in United Nations system-wide coordination mechanisms on religious intolerance, and leads collaborative initiatives to enhance the Organization’s response to Islamophobia in line with General Assembly resolution 78/264. Oversees system-wide reporting on its implementation and engages with key stakeholders to advance innovative and rights-based approaches to combating Islamophobia. • Drafts the report on the implementation of resolution 78/264, including measures taken by Member States and the United Nations to combat Islamophobia in all its forms and • manifestations. • Plans and implements the operational activities as well as implements training and seminars related to the work of the UNAOC, i.e., on combating Islamophobia, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, , political and governance institution-building, civil society support and related human rights concerns.; 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 unit. • Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation. • Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Under-Secretary-General and UNAOC Director related to Combating Islamophobia mandate as well as advises the Under-Secretary-General (USG) and UNAOC Director on matters relating to United Nations system coordination, partnerships, and accountability. Serves as a senior advisor on efforts to combat Islamophobia across the UN system • Acts as coordinator for complex coordination and support missions when requested. • Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political and human rights issues in a region and or country or major conflict focusing on Combating Islamophobia. Prepares reports on key sectors or reginal developments. • 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 Islamophobia Section • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs other related duties as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters related to Islamophobia. Ability to evaluate international political situations related to Islamophobia, anti-Muslim discrimination, and the implementation of relevant United Nations mandates. Knowledge of the General Assembly and Human Rights Council resolutions and initiatives addressing Islamophobia, and the ability to translate these mandates into operational prevention, outreach, monitoring and capacity-building activities with Member States, civil society, and technology stakeholders. Ability to draft policy guidance and briefings, advise senior managers on risk mitigation and rights-compliant responses, designing awareness and training programmes for duty-bearers and youth, and contributing to monitoring and reporting on incidents and trends of anti-Muslim hatred. Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Judgement/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 impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the 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. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in degree in political science, international relations, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant 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, humanitarian affairs, international relations, law, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience in developing, implementing, and coordinating change management strategies in a sensitive and highly demanding environment is required. Experience in strategic planning and management at the regional or sub-regional level in an international development context is required. At least two years of experience promoting policy coherence and integrated delivery among large, geographically dispersed teams is required. Experience working in the United Nations Common System or a similar, large multilateral institution is desirable. At least three years of experience supervising staff or managing teams is desirable. Experience in data analytics, digital innovation, foresight, behavioral science and culture changes or related area is desirable LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).