POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

This post is located in the Mali Integrated Operational Team (Mali IOT) within the Western Africa Division (WAD) of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) in New York. Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director/Principal Officer, the Political Affairs Officer will serve under the direct supervision of a Senior Political Affairs Officer.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks. The Mission was requested to support the parties in the implementation of the 2015 Peace Agreement, while assisting the Malian authorities in stabilizing the country. By unanimously adopting resolution 2531 in June 2020, the Council reiterated that the Mission’s support to the implementation of the Peace Agreement is its primary strategic priority while its facilitation of the implementation by Malian authorities of the Stratégie de stabilisation du centre du Mali would be its second strategic priority. MINUSMA was also requested to provide support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force, in line with resolution 2391 (2017) and 2480 (2019). Following the military coup on 18 August 2020, the Council further decided, through a presidential statement issued on 15 October, that the Mission would support the 18-month political transition and the holding of new presidential and legislative elections to be held at the conclusion of the transition.

Responsibilities

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

• Participates in the daily management of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
• Monitors closely the peace process and maintain up-to-date knowledge of issues of peace and security in Mali, including as they affect MINUSMA, provide early warning of potential trouble spots.
• Monitors and analyzes developments in MINUSMA and Mali, including relations between the parties, contributors, governments, and regional organisations, including by maintaining close and regular contacts with the peacekeeping mission(s), reviewing situation reports, cables, correspondence, media, etc., with a view to providing timely and relevant analytical and strategic forward looking assessment and recommendations to senior management; identify and respond to changes, problems and incidents; ensure consultation and input from the parties involved; and prepare timely responses to issues and questions raised in the field, as well as monitor and follow-up on outstanding issues.
• Formulates recommendations for integrated strategic guidance to MINUSMA for the implementation of its mandate.
• Drafts a wide range of documents, in particular reports of the Secretary-General, briefing notes to the Security Council and other correspondence with the Security Council, its Sanctions Committees, and other relevant bodies; prepare analytical notes, talking points, speeches and briefing notes for meetings of senior UN officials and policy papers; and draft responses to comments, statements, and queries of concerned stakeholders as well as interested Member States, in particular members of the Security Council, troop and police contributing countries, and regional organisations, etc., ensuring input of and consultations with relevant stakeholders in DPO, the wider Secretariat and United Nations agencies.
• Builds and maintains liaison through informal and formal contacts with a wide-range of actors within the DPO, wider Secretariat offices and UN agencies, as well as the parties to the conflict, members of the Security Council, other relevant Member States, troop and police contributing countries, regional organizations and others.
• Maintains effective working relationships and consultation with appropriate counterparts in other divisions of DPO, other Departments of the UN Secretariat and UN Agencies, regional organisation, NGOs, academia, and media, as appropriate, with a view to coordinating support to MINUSMA, including by integrating different aspects related to the mission.
• Coordinates the substantive results-based budgeting process for the preparation of annual budget documents and performance reports of MINUSMA and provide relevant briefing to legislative bodies, as required.
• Contributes to the development of doctrine, lessons learned and knowledge management for the Department of Peace Operations and advise on operational mechanisms and models to achieve departmental goals.
• Participates in activities to implement operations, devise guidelines, terms of reference and concepts of operations, ensure input from participants and integrate different aspects (e.g., security, administrative and legal), and coordinate implementation. Advise on operational mechanisms and models to achieve Departmental goals.
• Participates in fact-finding, planning and other missions to Mali/MINUSMA within assigned area of responsibility and draft reports thereon.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Ability to evaluate political situations in Mali. Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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.

Education

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

Work Experience

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

Experience working on or in West Africa is required.

A minimum of one-year experience in a peace/field operation in a civilian (non-uniformed) capacity is required.

Experience in political analysis, advice and reporting is required.

Experience in providing substantive support to peace operations in the areas of political affairs in or on Africa is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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

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.

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

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.

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.

No Fee

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.