SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

United Nations Secretariat (UN)
SRSG for West Africa/United Nations Office in West Africa
Dakar (Senegal)
Grade: P-5, Chief and Senior Professional
Occupations: Peace and Security
Close on 29 Sep 2021

JOB DESCRIPTION

ORG. SETTING AND REPORTING
This position is within the Political Affairs Section of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). The incumbent will report to the Chief of Section Political Affairs.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Political Analysis and Advice- Identify, analyze and monitor political developments, trends and emerging issues in the transition countries in West Africa and Sahel regions; Assess implications and make recommendations to the Senior Leadership on the impact of developments in the transition countries in line with the priorities of UNOWAS; Develop policy guidance documents and facilitate the mainstreaming of cross cutting issues for women, youth and civil society organizations in line with the priorities of UNOWAS and ECOWAS; Provide strategic advice to Senior Leadership on issues of concern.

Reporting and Information Management- Supervise the preparation of summary and analytical reports for the attention of Senior Leadership, including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers and code cables; Lead efforts to coordinate and consolidate inputs for the preparation of reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies; Prepare contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles and databases of relevance to the West Africa and Sahel regions; Monitor and report progress in the implementation of activities undertaken in partnership with ECOWAS and the RCOs in the transition countries; Manage information to ensure its accessibility and utility.
• Planning, Coordination and Facilitation- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts in the region and at Headquarters, Government representatives, military and law enforcement actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and regional partners; Supervise Political Affairs section interaction with PBSO, PBF and other partners and donors as relevant; Participate in and/or lead United Nations missions or meetings on issues related to priorities of UNOWAS in the transition countries in the West Africa and Sahel regions.
• Management/Administration- Supervise the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the Political Affairs section and participate in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Cell; Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff; Assist with the selection of new staff; Perform other relevant duties as required.

COMPETENCIES
• Professionalism: Has in-depth knowledge and understanding of political issues in the region and an ability to evaluate regional political situations; Knowledge and understanding of issues related to ECOWAS and UNOWAS priorities in West Africa and the Sahel and ability to analyze these issues and identify areas for joint initiatives; Experience on post-conflict countries and on UN transitions; Experience in coordinating UN relations with regional or sub regional entities; Thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures of the United Nations in conflict prevention and resolution. Negotiating skills. 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.
• Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
• 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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

EDUCATION
Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) degree in political science, social sciences, international relations, law, public administration, international economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, international relations, or related field is required.
Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required.
Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) -or similar international or non-governmental organization- in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.
Work experience related to interaction with PBSO/PBF is desirable.
Previous experience on UN cooperation with sub regional organizations is desirable.

LANGUAGES
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For the post advertised, fluency in both French and English (both oral and written) is required.
Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

ASSESSMENT
Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

SPECIAL NOTICE
This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body.
Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

UNITED NATIONS CONSIDERATIONS
According 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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).
In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira.
For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

NO FEE
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.