This position is located in the Political Affairs Division of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba. Juba is classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Division/a Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Within delegated authority, the Associate 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 South Sudan and the region, according to the assigned portfolio and/or applicable mandate.

Political outreach and coordination:
• Develop and maintain active and constructive working relations and liaison at the appropriate level with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, Government representatives, civil society actors, military and law enforcement actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners.
• Support preparations for official meetings, events, and visits, including through the provision of Secretariat services and by drafting talking points and speeches for senior UN officials. Participate in fact-finding –and other- missions; Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate.

Reporting and Information Management:
• Prepare contextual information materials, background notes, summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, talking points, code cables and inputs for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council or other bodies.
• Selects, classifies, and stores in computerized databases notes, documents, and other information.
•Support and contribute to the development of the Political Affairs Division’s operational plans, translating the strategic guidance from the mission concept into concrete workplans; provide advice, guidance and technical support to the Head of the Division and Team Leaders on strategic planning and related tools.
Participate in the planning, monitoring, and reporting of programmatic activities, Results Based Budgeting (RBB) and Comprehensive Performance Assessment Systems (CPAS).
•Liaise with relevant field offices, Mission components for data collection and ensure synergy and complementarity in the implementation of the UNMISS Mandate.
Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Professionalism - Possesses excellent drafting, analytical and writing skills; Is able to analyze information and synthesize it into concise reports, briefing notes and other documents; 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.

Planning and Organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; 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.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Management or Development, or a related field. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience working on Results-based budgeting, related planning, Comprehensive Performance Assessment System (CPAS) monitoring, evaluation 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 organization or non-governmental organization is required.

Experience in monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on political processes in or on Africa is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

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.

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.