POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Job title:

POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Company

United Nations

Job description

This position is located in the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), Geneva Branch. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Branch and the Deputy.ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Serves as Head of the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) and ensures the implementation of the ISU’s mandate; • Leads and coordinates the work of the CCW and the provision of secretariat services to the CCW bodies, in coordination with other parts of the Secretariat/the UN Office in Geneva as needed; • Directly supports the Chairs/presiding officers of the CCW bodies in discharging their functions, including by serving as Secretary to the meetings; provides advice on and ensures the application of the rules of procedure and past practice; • Advises States on the implementation of the CCW and its Protocols and conducts outreach, awareness raising and universalization activities for States and other stakeholders; • Reviews and monitors developments, and assesses trends related to disarmament and conventional weapons and new and emerging weapon technologies ; recommends solutions/possible action by United Nations. • Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to provide early warning advice to ASG/USG or Head of Mission. • Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials. • Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issuesrelated to assigned portfolio . • Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and makes recommendations on actions to take. • Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations. • Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise. • Carries out, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget as required. • Drafts/coordinates the drafting or edits the drafting of a variety of official and internal correspondence related to the assigned portfolio. • Performs other related duties as required.Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Proven knowledge of international peace and security issues. Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to issues in specific areas specifically as related to international humanitarian law, new technologies and international (and/or national) security, as well as weapons’ reviews and export control. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. 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. • 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 & 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. • LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: builds teams and 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 improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field of public international law, international relations, political science, or closely 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.Job – Specific QualificationNot available.Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, international humanitarian law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. At least five years of experience substantively servicing intergovernmental meetings and supporting intergovernmental processes at the United Nations or another intergovernmental organization is required. Experience in providing advice on disarmament, non-proliferation or arms control frameworks and treaty and their development and implementation is required. Programme management experience on disarmament and arms control is desirable.LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.Special NoticeThe appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. 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.United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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 FeeTHE 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.

Expected salary

Location

Genève

Job date

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:49:21 GMT

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