This position is located in the Central and Southern Africa Division of the Department of Peace Operations-Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Single Regional Structure. The incumbent will report to the Director of the Central and Southern Africa Division.

Within delegated authority, the Associate Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

•Assists the Director with briefing notes, background papers and talking points in preparation for meetings and other events and support for the teams covering field presences and political offices (MINUSCA, MONUSCO, UNOCA, SESG-GL, SADC Liaison Team) under the Division's purview and conducting political analysis on all countries within the Division's purview;
•Analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press; maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues in a specified area or subject matter;
•Prepares summaries, correspondence, notes, memoranda, and drafts a variety of correspondence, and sections of reports;
•Prepares responses to queries on behalf of the Director and edit and ensure the quality of outgoing documents submitted for the Director's review and approval;
•Assists with the preparation of talking points, weekly update s, briefing documents and inputs to Office of the ASG for Africa and of the USG for Peace Operations and the USG for Peacebuilding and Political Affairs;
•Monitors political, socioeconomic, and other politically relevant developments in an assigned area;
•Compiles inputs into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programmes and assists the Division's focal point for policy discussion and development at the departmental level and beyond and coordinates Division inputs in this regard;
•Assists the Director in monitoring operational developments in the assigned area(s) of assignment, reviewing available information in situation reports, cables, correspondence, media, etc. Responds to requests for information (verbal and written) from a range of sources with respect to operational issues;
•Creates databases that track project progress and provides up to date information on the functioning of the Division, bring problems and issues to the attention of the Director and assist in formulating options and solutions to address them;
•Ensure the Front Office of the Division is well organized and that its responsibilities are executed efficiently and in a timely manner, and contributes to integrated ways of working among teams within the Division under the authority of the Director;
•Serve as focal point for the division for training, exchanges, human resources and other issues as requested;
•Performs other related duties as required.

• Professionalism:
Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area, especially in Central and Southern Africa; ability to develop sources for data collection; 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; Tailor’s language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Planning & 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.

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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

Experience in political analysis regarding the Central and Southern Africa region is required.

Experience in the front office of a senior official is desirable.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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.

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.