Special Notice
Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and is located in the Mission Headquarters in Mogadishu. The Principal Political Affairs Officer, who will serve as Chief of UNSOM’s Political Affairs and Mediation Group, promotes key aspects of UNSOM’s mandate through direct engagement with national and international partners in Somalia and the region. S/he also provides political analysis and advice to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), the mission leadership and United Nations Headquarters.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the SRSG, the Principal Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties:
Political Analysis and Advice - Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of UNSOM’s mandate; Assess implications and make recommendations to the Mission leadership on possible strategies, policies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives;
Planning, Coordination and Facilitation – Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the Somali authorities, political and community leaders, civil society actors, the UN family and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters; Oversee provision of integrated support by the United Nations to Somalia’s constitutional review process and preparation for elections, in close collaboration with relevant partners; Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and plans of action to address political challenges, in pursuit of mandated objectives; Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation;
Reporting and Information Management - Ensure regular, timely and high quality reporting to the Mission leadership on developments and issues pertaining to the mandate; Manage the preparation of summary and analytical reports, including situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file and code cables; Prepare/review the section’s input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council and reports to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions (ACABQ), the General Assembly; Oversee the preparation of contextual information materials, such as background notes and political profiles; Ensure an effective system of information management designed to guarantee accessibility and utility of information.
Management – Oversee the work of the UNSOM Political Affairs and Mediation Group; Formulate and manage the implementation of the Group’s programme of work, determining priorities and activities that are in accordance with the mandate; Manage related administrative tasks, including preparation of budgets, assignment and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget, preparation of inputs for the results-based budgeting process (RBB); Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff; Participate in the selection of new staff.
Perform other relevant duties requested by the SRSG and the mission leadership.
Political Analysis and Advice - Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of UNSOM’s mandate; Assess implications and make recommendations to the Mission leadership on possible strategies, policies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives;
Planning, Coordination and Facilitation – Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the Somali authorities, political and community leaders, civil society actors, the UN family and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters; Oversee provision of integrated support by the United Nations to Somalia’s constitutional review process and preparation for elections, in close collaboration with relevant partners; Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and plans of action to address political challenges, in pursuit of mandated objectives; Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation;
Reporting and Information Management - Ensure regular, timely and high quality reporting to the Mission leadership on developments and issues pertaining to the mandate; Manage the preparation of summary and analytical reports, including situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file and code cables; Prepare/review the section’s input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council and reports to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions (ACABQ), the General Assembly; Oversee the preparation of contextual information materials, such as background notes and political profiles; Ensure an effective system of information management designed to guarantee accessibility and utility of information.
Management – Oversee the work of the UNSOM Political Affairs and Mediation Group; Formulate and manage the implementation of the Group’s programme of work, determining priorities and activities that are in accordance with the mandate; Manage related administrative tasks, including preparation of budgets, assignment and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget, preparation of inputs for the results-based budgeting process (RBB); Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff; Participate in the selection of new staff.
Perform other relevant duties requested by the SRSG and the mission leadership.
Competencies
Professionalism – Has ability to identify and analyze the underlying causes of instability (e.g. political, ethnic, sectarian, social, economic) in Somalia and to provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior officials; Demonstrates sound knowledge of the UN system and understands the roles of substantive components within the Mission; 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.
Creativity - Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; Thinks "outside the box"; Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Managing Performance - Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports staff when they make mistakes; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.
Judgement/Decision-making - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.
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.
Creativity - Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; Thinks "outside the box"; Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Managing Performance - Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports staff when they make mistakes; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.
Judgement/Decision-making - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, constitutional affairs, state formation, governance, or related field is required. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis and reporting is required. Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) - or similar international organization or non-governmental organization- in support of peacebuilding or statebuilding in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Experience leading a team is required. Experience working on or in Somalia is required. Senior-level experience advising and assisting a host Government with a political reform process in a peace consolidation setting is required. Field experience in non-permissive security environments is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the Uniteds Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.
HOW TO APPLY:
All interested and qualified individuals are asked to apply via this link:
