Senior Political Affairs Officer, P5

This position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for the Department of Political and Peace building Affairs (DPPA). The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of Office, OUSG/DPPA. The Office of the USG DPPA is charged with the overall policy direction, supervision and management of the Department. The Department of Political and Peace building Affairs focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships.

The Department’s mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.

Within delegated authority, and under the supervision of the Chief of Office, OUSG/DPPA, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Advises the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peace building Affairs and the chief of OUSG DPPA on security-related matters, trends, issues and dynamics relevant to DPPA and the special political missions; the implementation of departmental policies and procedures on security and field safety (occupational), crisis and enterprise risk management, organizational resilience management, and other related and relevant issues pertaining to DPPA and the special political missions under its purview;
• Represents DPPA in the Inter-Agency Security Management Network (IASMN) Steering Group and contributes to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on the implementation of security policies, practices, and issues in special political missions;
• Formulates political affairs strategies, particularly pertaining to crisis management and coordination of security-related issues of relevance to DPPA and the special political missions; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long range solutions to political problems in general and in specific geographical areas, specifically as related to the realm of security trends, dynamics, developments, and the posture of the United Nations and individual special political missions;
  
  identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates and posture under the purview of DPPA and pertaining to the special political missions; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures, especially as related to security matters affecting DPPA and the special political missions, as well as pertaining to programme criticality, crisis management and operations, organizational resilience, enterprise risk management, and other relevant processes;
• Plans and implements operational activities related to the work of the DPPA and the special political missions, i.e., conflict prevention and resolution, election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit;
• Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation;
• Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Secretary-General, Under-Secretary-General, Assistant Secretaries-General, and other relevant senior officials;
• Designs initiatives; advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish or adjust relevant operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new missions;
• Acts as coordinator for complex coordination and support missions;
• Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political issues in a region and or country or major conflict, and as thematically related to security-related matters and issues, crisis management, and other relevant topics;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM:
  Knowledge of the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Ability to evaluate international political, security and crisis situations in area of assignment. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
• TEAMWORK:
  Works collaboratively with colleagues to…