Associate Political Affairs Officer at United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS)

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the Associate Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Political Analysis and Advice Gathers, selects and analyses information on political developments, trends and emerging issues in the country or region assigned, according to UNITAMS mandate. Maintains up to date knowledge of events relating to political issues in Sudan and the wider region.
• Maintains contacts with other areas of the UN, other international organisations, political parties, civil society actors, armed movement.
• Representatives, academic and research institutions, national interlocutors, other Sudanese stakeholders and representatives of the international community.
• Reporting and Information Management Prepares inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in the field mission and elsewhere in the Secretariat when required.
• This may include inputs to summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies.
• Prepares inputs to contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio.
• Help maintain databases as relevant. Planning, Coordination and Facilitation Support relationships with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, Government representatives, civil society actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners on information-sharing, policy and coordination matters.
• Support preparations for official meetings, events and visits, including through drafting talking points and background papers;
• Participate in fact-finding and other missions.
• Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area. 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.
• 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.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, international relations, law, public administration, social science 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. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring, and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is an asset.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of political science, international relations, law, conflict resolution, climate change and conflict resolution or related area is required.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required.