Political Affairs Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of Political Affairs and Analysis, within the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in Baghdad. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Office of Political Affairs Officer and Analysis and a Senior Political Affairs Officer, the Political Affairs Officer, P-3 will report directly to a P-4 Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties: Political Analysis and Advice – Identify, analyze and monitor political developments, trends and emerging issues in Iraq and the Middle East region.
• Monitor actions taken by the government, the international community, and non-governmental organizations with respect to the situation in Iraq and the Middle East region. Reporting and Information Management
• Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file, options papers, speeches, code cables and input for the Reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies.
• Prepare contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles, and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio; Manage information to ensure its accessibility and utility. Planning, Coordination and Facilitation
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, Government representatives, civil society actors, military and law enforcement 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 the provision of Secretariat services and by drafting talking points and speeches for senior UN officials
• Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate Management/Administration
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the unit’s programme of work.
• Support planning and budgetary processes for current and future field operation. – Perform other relevant duties as required.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, development, or related field is required. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, advice, coordination, monitoring and analyzing political developments and reporting is required. Experience in drafting high quality documents in English, such as SG Reports, notes to file, code cables, and briefing notes 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 Iraq or the Middle East is desirable. Experience engaging with political actors in a federal system, with autonomous governing entities, or subnational political actors is desirable.

Languages

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

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/249565?language=en