Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Political Affairs Section of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). The incumbent will assist the Senior Political Affairs Officer, Head of the UNOWAS Liaison Cell in Nouakchott in contributing to foster coordination and facilitation of UN efforts to enhance G5 Sahel capacities for conflict prevention and address cross border and cross-cutting threats to peace and security. In this capacity, she/he will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the UNOWAS Liaison Cell within the framework of enhancing UNOWAS-G5 Sahel partnership in areas of common interest including, conflict prevention and resolution, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work • Supports 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 UNOWAS Liaison Cell Nouakchott • Prepares summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, code cables and input for UNOWAS weekly reports and the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council. Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Head of the Mission, Chief Political Affairs Officer, Head of UNOWAS Liaison Cell Nouakchott and other senior staff. Develops and maintains relations with G5 Sahel counterparts and other relevant partners at the working levels and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern • As part of the UNOWAS Liaison Cell team, assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring involvement and participation of other UNOWAS units or sections. Represents the UNOWAS Liaison Cell Nouakchott at meetings, seminars and conferences and act as officer in charge in the absence of the Head of the Liaison Cell • Supports the Head of the UNOWAS Liaison Cell Nouakchott supervisor in the formulation of the programme of work, budget and medium-term plans of the UNOWAS Liaison Cell by participating in meetings, and compiling or researching issues related to the Liaison Cell • 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 Communication : S’exprimer clairement et efficacement, tant oralement que par écrit. Écouter les autres, bien les comprendre et donner suite comme il convient. Poser les questions voulues afin d’obtenir des éclaircissements et faciliter le dialogue. Adapter le langage, le ton, le style et la présentation au public auquel on s’adresse. Partager l’information avec tous ceux qu’elle intéresse et tenir chacun au courant. Travail d’équipe : Travaille en collaboration avec ses collègues pour atteindre les objectifs de l’organisation; sollicite la contribution des autres en valorisant véritablement leurs idées et leur expertise; est disposé à apprendre des autres; fait passer l’agenda de l’équipe avant son agenda personnel; soutient et agit conformément à la décision du groupe, même si cette décision ne reflète pas entièrement sa propre opinion; partage le mérite des réalisations de l’équipe et accepte la responsabilité conjointe des manquements de l’équipe.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, social sciences, law, public administration or a 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

Un minimum de cinq (5) ans d’expérience à responsabilité progressive en sciences politiques, relations internationales, droit, désarmement, sécurité, gestion du développement, résolution des conflits ou dans un domaine connexe est requis, is required. Une expérience professionnelle des questions de paix et de sécurité en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel est souhaitable, is desirable. Une expérience de l’analyse politique, de la rédaction de rapports et de la saisie de données politiques et sécuritaires est souhaitable, is desirable.

Languages

L’anglais et le français sont les langues de travail du Secrétariat des Nations Unies. Pour le poste à pourvoir, la maîtrise du français ou de l’anglais est requise et la connaissance de l’arabe est souhaitable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by informal discussions.

Special Notice

Cet avis de vacance porte sur un poste temporairement vacant et disponible jusqu’au 31 decembre 2024. La procédure de sélection du candidat sera menée en application des dispositions de l’instruction administrative ST/AI/2010/3 relative au système de sélection du personnel et sa conformité sera évaluée par un organe de contrôle, comme prévu par la disposition 4.15 du Règlement du personnel. Si un fonctionnaire du Secrétariat de l’ONU correspondant à la définition de « candidat interne » telle qu’elle figure dans la disposition 4.10 du Règlement est sélectionné, il bénéficiera d’une affectation temporaire si la classe du poste qu’il occupe est la même que celle du poste vacant, ou d’une promotion temporaire si elle est inférieure. Si le titulaire du poste quitte ses fonctions pendant la période considérée, le fonctionnaire sélectionné bénéficiera d’une mutation latérale, d’une promotion ou d’un transfert, et il ne sera pas nécessaire de lancer une nouvelle procédure de sélection, conformément à l’instruction administrative ST/AI/2010/3. • This position is temporarily available until [specific date]. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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. 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.

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.