SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

at  United Nations

Org. Setting and Reporting
This Position is located in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY) in the Political Affairs Section based in Sana’a, Yemen. The incumbent will report to the Principal Political Affairs Officer based in Amman.
Responsibilities
Within the limits of delegated authority and under the guidance of the Principal Political Affairs Officer, the incumbent is responsible for performing the following duties: • Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the Sana’a office specifically and OSESGY more broadly. This includes: developing relations with interlocuters in areas controlled by Ansar Allah de-facto authorities and facilitating discussions, developing strategies and providing advice on negotiations, mediation, conflict prevention and resolution, post conflict rehabilitation, election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; 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 Office. Facilitates the translation of policy intent and high-level direction of mission leadership into viable tasks and works with components to ensure their effective implementation. •Acts as focal point on constitutional issues for the office, providing advice on potential transitional constitutional issues. •Prepares briefing notes, speeches and talking points for Mission Leadership and other senior staff. Supports and coordinates field visits, working closely with Mission Support, and support logistical arrangements as required. • Provides continuous guidance and advice to the Mission Leadership, concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, and conduct of business including interpretation of the rules of procedure. Ensures that advice and information on cross-cutting issues is coordinated with all relevant components of the Mission prior to submission to the HoM. • Leads and directs a work team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff, ensures quality control of outputs of the Sana’a Office; Serves as interface between the O/HoM and the Division of Mission Support on issues related to the Sana’a Office and oversees relevant Sana’a Office recruitments. Designs and supports negotiation initiatives; advises on and participates in consultations and negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new operations. Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. Represents the Office and mission as required at round tables, seminars and conferences. Represents OSESGY with the UN Country Team in Sana’a. • Directs and oversees core integrated processes and mechanisms that enable the integrated delivery of the mission’s mandate, including programme management, reform/change management, information management and crisis management. • Performs other related duties as part of the Political Affairs Office as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated ability to: provide advice in a broad range of strategic, policy, management and administrative issues to senior leadership and management in Headquarters and field settings including on constitutional issues; lead integrated processes, and, ensure the timely delivery of a programme of work. Track record of team building, problem solving and continuous organizational improvement for effective programme delivery. 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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; Does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; Manages in a deliberate and predictable way; Operates with transparency; Has no hidden agenda; Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; Gives proper credit to others; Follows through on agreed upon actions-Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
Education
Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of (10) ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. At least three (3) years of experience supporting a Special Envoy or Head of Mission engaged in ongoing political negotiations / meditation is required. At least three (3) years of field experience in the Middle East/North Africa on political issues, including direct engagement with national interlocuters and experience in Yemen, is required. At least two (2) years field experience working on constitutional issues is required. At least two (2) years of experience managing a field office is required. A minimum of four (4) years of experience working in an international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written) is required.
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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
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. 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. 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

Please refer the Job description for details