Political Affairs Officer

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 22 years old. Applicants must be nationals of or legal residents in the country of assignment.

Description of task

Under the supervision of a Political Affairs Officer and/or Head of UNITAMS Field Office (as appropriate), the UN Volunteer Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties within their area of assignment:

• Political outreach and coordination – Develop and maintain active and constructive working relations and liaison at the appropriate level; with key interlocutors;
• Identify, monitor and analyze political issues and developments with respect to the implementation of UNITAMS mandate at the local and/or national level, with a particular focus on political dynamics and processes of reconciliation, democratization and security sector reform;
• Assist with the use of UNITAMS good offices to facilitate inclusive dialogue, build confidence and seek solutions to political/security issues of concern;
• Identify potential and emerging trends which might affect the political situation;
• Reporting – Prepare a range of internal reports and briefing papers, including but not limited to situation reports, notes to file, briefing notes, options papers, talking points; Support Mission reporting requirements, including daily and weekly inputs; Ensure effective information management.
• Any other tasks as required by the supervisors.

When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training. This assignment is a support service to colleagues in the Political Affairs Division; it is not a humanitarian assignment.

Furthermore, UN volunteers are encouraged to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day)
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
• Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
• Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UN volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
• Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans;
• Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN volunteers as appropriate.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:
Master degree or equivalent

Education – Additional Comments:

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

Required experience:
12 Months

Experience remark:

Language skills:

Area of expertise:
Political affairs and political reporting

Area of expertise details:

Driving license:

No

Application procedure: