Senior Political Affairs Officer at Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, under the overall supervision and guidance of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

•  Supports and strengthens coordination of the Front Office of the Special Envoy;
•  Provides advice to the Special Envoy, notably in relation to policies and practices of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, developments within the United Nations (UN) System and among member states; contributes to strengthening cooperation between the Office of the Special Envoy and key regional and international organizations and mechanisms; and enhances the capacity of the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region to effectively respond to requests and queries from Member States, regional and international partners.
•  Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the Office, i.e., conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work; incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the Office.
•  Provides political advice to promote overarching coherence of initiatives undertaken under the umbrella of the UN Strategy for Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region; contributes to coordinating the OSESG-GL's role of Secretariat of the Senior Policy Group (SPG), the coordination mechanism mandated to oversee and provide strategic guidance for the implementation of the Strategy; monitors and reports on the implementation of the Strategy, in close coordination with pertinent UN entities and ensures sustained coordination and consultations with strategic partners of the OSESG-GL outside of the UN, including countries and organizations of the region, bilateral partners and civil society organizations.
•  Formulates issue-specific strategies for the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political issues; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandate of the Office; analyses implications and makes recommendations for possible strategies and measures.
•  Prepares, coordinates and reviews briefing notes, talking points and other documents for the Head of the Mission and contributes to the Mission's political context analysis and awareness. Provides continuous guidance and advice to senior leadership concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, and conduct of business, including interpretation of the rules of procedure. Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries. Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and representatives of regional and subregional organizations, in support to implementation of the Mission mandate.
•  Plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs. Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political issues. Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency coordination and participation.
•  Represents the Mission at roundtables, seminars and conferences.
•  Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism - 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.