Org. Setting and Reporting

Under the general supervision of the Head of Office and the direct supervision of the Principal Political Affairs Officer, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will serve as member of the United Nations Team in Burundi as mandated under UN Security Council Resolutions 2248, 2303 and 2279.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long range solutions to political problems in general and in specific geographical areas; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.

• Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the division/department, i.e., mediation and the dialogue process, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; 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 unit.

• Under the supervision of the Head of the Unit, works closely with the EAC and African Union on the dialogue process, including on organizational matters, and ensures communication between the UN and other partners.

• Undertakes activities related to the dialogue process as designated by the Head of Office/Head of Unit, including organizational support

• Plans, coordinates and manages programs, projects and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation.

• Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the seniors O/SESG •Designs dialogue and mediation peace building initiatives; advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines,

• Coordinates and directs the provision of secretariat services for the Head of the Office or delegation during special conferences and summits •Provides continuous guidance and advice to the Principal Political Affairs Officer and the Head of Office as needed concerning the organization of work, status of the dialogue, conduct of business including interpretation of the rules of procedure.

• Leads and directs a work team; 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 in the Great Lakes Region, the sub-region and or in a specific country of the region.

• Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries of parties

• Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Section/Division or mission; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and unit. •Under the supervision of the Head of Unit, develops and maintains relations with senior government officials as well as regional leaders, facilitators, and key political stakeholders and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Knowledge of international and regional political situations in area of assignment. 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 organisational 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 decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishment and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts

by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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 impacts of decisions prior to making them ; takes decisions with an eye to the 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) degree in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution or related area is required;

Experience working in a United Nations peacekeeping operation, or special political mission, in a conflict or post-conflict setting is highly desirable;

Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required;

Extensive experience in peace and security issues related to Africa is required;

Working experience within the Great Lakes Region and the East African Community is required;

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

According 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.

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 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.