CHIEF OF SERVICE, POLITICAL AFFAIRS
Job Description
Please note that the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) began operations effective 01 November 2024, succeeding the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). The position is located in the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and is based in Mogadishu. The Principal Political Affairs Officer, who will serve as Chief of UNTMIS’ Political Affairs and Mediation Group (PAMG), promotes key aspects of UNTMIS’ mandate through direct engagement with national and international partners in Somalia and the region. S/he also provides political analysis and advice to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Political (DSRSG/P) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), the mission leadership team and United Nations Headquarters. The Principal Political Affairs Officer reports through the DSRSG/P to the SRSG.
Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the DSRSG/P, the Principal Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties: • Identifies emerging issues at the national and regional level pertaining to the mandate; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures; proposes plans of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in the region. • Provides good offices on behalf of the SRSG at the national and regional level, as appropriate. • Implements the operational activities related to the work of the office including fostering dialogue, understanding and cooperation between parties; establishing and strengthening the legitimate authority of national authority; building the capacity of civil society and organizations; formulating programs related to reintegrate and reconcile all segments of society; and support for good governance, national dialogue and reconciliation. • Incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity and a gender perspective throughout the office’s activities. • Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities of the political aspects of the Mission’s mandate and coordinates with other components of the Mission and external to the Mission as required. • Ensures that the work of the political component of the Mission is in accordance with the overall political strategy of the Mission. • Monitors and analyses information and data, managing, coordinating and supervising the preparation of analytical materials and assessments related to political, civil, social, economic and other developments in the country related to the implementation of the mandate. • Develops and maintains relations with governmental officials, political actors and leaders of the civil society, as well as regional actors and organizations and the wider UN system. • Coordinates the preparation of the Secretary-General’s reports to the Security Council on the activities of the Mission as well as briefings to the Security Council and other such documents. • Prepares various written materials, such as reports, statements, notes on meetings, speeches and briefing notes. • Supervises mentors and evaluates staff within the political component of the Mission; participating in selection of new staff for the political component. • Formulates the programme of work of the political component. • Provides political advice to other components of the Mission. • Perform other relevant duties, as requested.
Competencies Professionalism – Has the 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 and the UN country team. 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 creativity and initiative. 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 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.
Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Social Science, Law or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Not available.
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in Political Science, International Relations or peacekeeping operations as well as excellent and proven management skills is required. Extensive experience in political analysis and diplomacy is required. Sound knowledge of the challenges of peacekeeping and of UN rules and procedures 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 state building in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Senior-level experience advising and assisting a host government with political processes in a peace consolidation setting is desirable. Field experience in non-permissive security environments is desirable. Experience working on or in the horn of Africa is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English, (both oral and written) is required.
Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.
Please note that following the UN Security Council’s adoption of resolution 2753 (2024), UNTMIS mandate will be terminated at the end of the anticipated transition by 31 October 2026. This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.
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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.
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
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