Posting Title: POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, NOC
Job Code Title: POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
Department/Office: United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq
Duty Station: BAGHDAD
Posting Period: 27 April 2023 – 11 May 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Political Affairs-UNAMI-207332-R-Baghdad (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of Political Affairs and Analysis within the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, Baghdad. Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of the Office of Political Affairs and Analysis, the Political Affairs Officer will report to Political Affairs Officer, P4.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Political Affairs Officer (P-4) and the overall guidance and supervision of the Director of the Office of Political Affairs and Analysis, the Political Affairs Officer NOC will be responsible for the following duties:
- Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, including political and governance institution-building, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, security sector reform, election administration, civil society support work. Supports an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and gender perspectives into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit.
- Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Senior Political Affairs Officer, Head of the Mission, and other senior staff. As requested, provides guidance and advice on assigned issues to the head of mission, as well as other selected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning designated areas of work, the status of negotiations, and the approach to various issues including interpretation of the rules of procedure. Prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties and manages operations involving several components of a limited nature, such as civilian, military, or humanitarian operations. Develops and maintains relations with government officials at the working levels with various offices of involved governments, United Nations agencies, and diplomatic missions. and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern.
- Participates as a member of a team dealing with a variety of political issues in a region, country, or major conflict situations. Attends meetings to identify the scope of projects, considers methodologies, and participates in developing guidelines, terms of reference, and operational plans and time frames for new assignments. Assists in planning, coordinating, and supporting programs, projects, and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation, including political analysis, identifying challenges and initiating remedial action. Represents the team at round tables, seminars, and conferences.
- Assists the Senior Political Affairs Officer in work related to the mission’s mandate as well as the political aspects of the mission. S/he maintains regular contacts at the working level with various offices of involved governments, the United Nations, various UN agencies, NGOs, and diplomatic missions.
- Monitors and analyses political, security and socio-economic, and other relevant developments at the local, regional, and national levels.
- Conducts relevant outreach activities related to these issues and interacts with political parties, government officials, security actors and institutions, diplomatic missions, and civil society members and attends official meetings with high-level authorities at the local, regional, and national levels with and on behalf of the SRSG and DSRSG/P as well as on behalf of OPAA Director.
- Performs other related duties as required.
CompetenciesProfessionalism: 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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.
EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management or Development, or a related field. A first-level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, internal and regional security development, conflict resolution, or related area is required. A minimum of four years (4) of experience in the UN common system providing inputs and briefings to SRSGs, DSRSGs and Section heads on complex sensitive political and security issues and advises solutions is required. Experience in participating in assigned operational activities on security and political developments related to the Popular Mobilization Forces, security sector reform, Iraqi security institutions, national security developments, and relevant regional security developments is required. Experience in report writing, drafting briefing notes, and notes to file in English and Arabic is required. Experience in preparing analytical reports on substantive Iraqi political and security as well as regional security developments in line with the UNAMI mandate is required.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special NoticeAt 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. 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. Recruitment against this position is on a local basis. Candidates for positions in the National Professional Officer categories must be nationals of Iraq. Applicants must ensure that their name in the application matches the name on their national passport or Government provided national Identification Document (ID). A discrepancy between the name in the applicant’s application and national ID/passport may impact the recruitment process. Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements.
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. 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.