POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, New York City

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of the Director for Coordination and Shared Services. The Office of the Director enables, directs and coordinates departmental efforts to ensure the effective integration and management of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). This position is under the direct supervision of the Director and the incumbent assists the Director in his/her managerial and policy functions in support of the Under-Secretaries-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) 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. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to UN peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and nongovernmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPO also provides guidance and support on military, police, rule of law, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Coordination Officer (Political Affairs Officer) will be responsible for independently providing a full range of coordinated and consolidated information; contributing substantive inputs for briefing notes/talking points/background materials and/or records and managing staff of the Correspondence Team. The Coordination Officer is expected to assist the Director in her/his managerial, policy and political functions in support of the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations by: • Preparing/editing letters, statements, speeches, talking points, presentations, political updates and other correspondence for the Director and the Under-Secretaries-General; • Acting as focal point for General Assembly mandated DPPA-DPO reports; • Delivering secretariat functions for DPPA-DPO town hall meetings; • Preparing various written outputs, including the Chief of Staff Conference Report and the necessary follow-up to the implementation of recommendations; • Monitoring the extrabudgetary funds for the office and assisting the Director in outreach and fundraising; • Providing support to the work of the Digital Transformation Team; • Supporting the work of the focal point for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; • Keeping abreast of political developments and changes in mission leadership; • Participating in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned policies, programmes and projects. Ensure the integrated functioning of DPPA-DPO through management of the Correspondence Team by: • Planning and supervising all aspects of the Correspondence Team programme of work; identifying challenges and issues to be addressed and proposing corrective actions; liaising with relevant offices and identifying and tracking follow up actions; • Overseeing the human resources management of the Correspondence Team, including recruitment, contractual administration and performance management, in coordination with the Director and the Executive Office; • Convening and chairing regular team meetings to discuss operational and administrative issues and to keep Team members abreast of the latest developments and directives of the Director; • Ensuring the professional development of Team members by providing ongoing training in drafting and editing skills; • Ensuring that correspondence and documents submitted for the signature of the Under-Secretaries-General, as well as other documentation, meet United Nations editorial standards and are appropriately handled; • Ensuring that the templates and the document action table are updated as required; • Training team members to ensure that sensitive information is always transmitted and stored in an appropriate manner; • Reviewing and editing as necessary to ensure accuracy, consistency and clarity as well as conformity with United Nations editorial standards, policy and practice; • Providing submitting authors with guidance/feedback on editorial policies and practice where feasible; • Performing other duties, as required. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM • Ability to identify and analyze political issues. • Knowledge of political affairs and peace operations. • Ability to produce a variety of high-quality written communications. • 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. • Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience. • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. CLIENT ORIENTATION • Considers all those to whom services are provided to be \"clients\" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. • Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. • Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. • Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. • Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, law, public administration, management or related fields. 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations or management, or related area is required. Experience of using excel for complex extra-budgetary management is required. Experience in a supervising role is required. Experience working on Digital Transformation initiatives is required. Experience of working on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse related issues is required. Experience working for or on peacekeeping or political matters is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).