Political Affairs Officer Job at MINUSCA

Deadline : 22 February 2024

Location : Central Africa Republic

Background About MINUSCA

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized in April 2014 the deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes.

The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA). MINUSCA current uniformed personnel levels stand at 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police personnel, and are tasked with the strategic objective of creating the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to sustainably reducing the presence of — and threat posed by — armed groups. See http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/.

Brief Information About the Position

Assignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July – 30 June) up to a maximum of 4 years. Contract renewals are granted based on Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. Duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work and travel anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer Political Affairs Officer will report directly to the Director of the Political Affairs Division or a designated officer and will be responsible for the following duties:

1) Political Analysis and Advice – Provide country-specific and regional analysis on the impact of developments in CAR and in the region and make policy recommendations for UN response.

– Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to the

– implementation of the Mission’s mandate assesses implications and make recommendations on policies, strategies and other measures to address the issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives.

– Provide support to the follow-up and implementation of the Political Peace Agreement signed on 6 February 2019.

2) Reporting and Information Management

– Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, daily and weekly situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies.

– Prepare contextual information material, such as background notes, political profiles, and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio.

– Manage information to ensure its accessibility and utility.

3) 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 prefectural efforts to develop inclusive political dialogue through the follow-up and implementation mechanisms of the Political Peace Agreement to address root causes of conflict with all main stakeholders, including signatories.

– Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experiences

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Relations, Foreign Affairs, Law, Security, Public Management, Administration or related field. A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience in related areas may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

3 years of experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, development, disarmament or related field. Experience in political analysis and outreach, solid report writing skills (on political issues) is required, and relevant experience in international organization or nongovernmental organization- in a conflict or post-conflict setting is highly desirable.

Crisis and emergency response, Elections and governance

Driving license

Ability to drive manual gear 4×4 vehicles over rough terrain. Required

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.

• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within area of operations as may be necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.