Special Assistant, Political Affairs [temporary], Dakar, Senegal At Office of the Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel

Posting Title: SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS, P4 (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Department/Office: Office of the Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel

Duty Station: DAKAR

Posting Period: 04 April 2023 – 11 April 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Political Affairs-OSCDS-205566-J-Dakar (O)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in Dakar, in the Office of the Special Coordinator for the Sahel. The Special Assistant will report to the Special Coordinator through the Head of Office/Development Partnership Adviser. Within limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties: Responsibilities

A. Coordination and Facilitation:

•  Provide substantive and practical support to the implementation of the Office mandate; Keep the USG informed on all matters requiring his/her personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed.
•  Organize and manage the USG’s meetings and events, prepare written summaries and conduct follow-up activities, as appropriate; Coordinate/draft correspondence for the USG’s signature.
•  Work with the ISU and SISM, the authorities, the broader UN family, donors and other national and international partners on implementation of UNISS including programming; B. Sustainable Development Analysis, Advice and Reporting:
•  Identify, analyze and monitor emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the mandate of the Office.
•  Assess implications of the strategies endorsed by the Office and make recommendations on possible policies, and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives; Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation.
•  Contribute to and draft summary and analytical reports, including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file, and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council. C. Administration:
•  Assist in formulating and managing the implementation of the Office programme of work, including through support to planning and budgetary processes.
•  Assist in the selection of new staff.
•  Perform other relevant duties as requested by the USG.

CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to sustainable development challenges in specific areas and/or countries, including in respect of the humanitarian development nexus and its linkages to peace. Shows ability to analyse various issues and perspectives on social, economic, humanitarian and peacebuilding programmes in affected countries and areas. 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 and youth perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and youth 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. 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 social science, economics, law, public administration, international relations or a related field is required. A first level university degree with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development, diplomacy, conflict resolution, humanitarian or related field is required. Demonstrated experience in partnership development, development stakeholder engagement, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Experience working in the office of a senior public official and/or as a Special Assistant to a senior public official is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: ”Fluency” equals a rating of ”fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ”Knowledge of” equals a rating of ”confident” in two of the four areas.

AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview or maybe either of one.

Special Notice

•  This position is temporarily available until 12.12.2023. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
•  While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
•  Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds and successful performance of duties and responsibilities.
•  Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
•  Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
•  Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
•  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.
•  On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.

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. 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 FeeTHE 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.

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