ASSOCIATE POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Job Description

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 26 JANUARY 2018

DATE OF ISSUANCE: 27 DECEMBER 2017

FUNCTIONAL TITLE: ASSOCIATE POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

LEVEL: NO-B

SECTION: POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND MEDIATION GROUP (PAMG)

LOCATION: MOGADISHU

DURATION OF CONTRACT: ONE ( 1) YEAR FIXED TERM

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: UNSOM/PAMG/2017/051

Special Notice

This position is funded for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Appointment against this post is on a local basis. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to take-up the appointment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary - General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.

Interested applicants who are working with UN Contractors must fulfil the obligations of their contracts with the Contractors in order to be eligible to apply for this vacancy.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:

This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in Mogadishu.

The incumbent will report to the Senior Political Affairs Officer of Political Affairs and Mediation Group (PAMG).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the Associate Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following:

• Gathers, selects and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of events, relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the countries and thematic mandates for which the staff member is responsible.
• Develop analysis of key conflicts in Somalia and provide advice to PAMG on the mission’s mediation support to conflict parties.
• Keep abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues to PAMG and senior officials.
• Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to field mission / UN agencies active on the ground.
• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters.
• Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, government and non-governmental organizations.
• Selects, classifies and stores in computerized databases information relating to potential disputes and conflicts involving assigned countries or region.
• Participates in fact-finding and other missions to countries within assigned area of responsibility.
• Prepare studies, presentations, briefs, policy documents and reports relevant to political dynamics in Somalia, mediation, the peacebuilding and state-building process, federalization, and reconciliation.
• Assist with interpretation and translation both in Somali and English, as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Good understanding of political, social and economic developments in Somalia and Horn of Africa. Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area. Ability to develop sources for data collection. 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 supervisor as well as the team informed.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational 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 decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Qualifications:

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management or Development or a related field. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and / or coordination is an asset.

Experience: A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related areas.

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Fluency in English and Somali (oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Method: Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Additional Information:

Candidates who are not selected, but whose performance in the interview process nevertheless demonstrated them to be suitable for a similar function may be kept on a roster for up to seven years. Candidates placed on the roster may be considered for selection against future vacancies for the same function and level.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates may submit their applications including their United Nations Personal History form (P.11) to the address mentioned below on or before the deadline. The P.11 is on the https://unsos.unmissions.org/jobs. Applications submitted after the deadline 26 January 2018 will not be accepted. Curriculum Vitaes (CVs) will not be accepted.

Email: recruitment-unsoa@un.org

Please quote, Vacancy Announcement Number and Functional Title in the subject of the e-mail.

Kindly attach a copy of P11, Degree Certificate, Passport and or National Identification Card. Copy of Valid Driving License Please note Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) certificates are required at a later stage of the recruitment process.

The United Nations shall place 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 DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).

About the Organization

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) was established on 3 June 2013 by UN Security Council Resolution 2102, following a comprehensive assessment of the United Nations in support of the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia. The mandate of UNSOM was subsequently renewed by Security Council resolutions 2158 (2014), 2221 (2015), 2232 (2015), and 2275 (2016). The current mandate is valid until 31 March 2017. Unanimously adopting resolution 2102 (2013), the Council decided that the mandate of UNSOM would include the provision of policy advice to the Federal Government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on peacebuilding and state-building in the areas of: governance, security sector reform and rule of law (including the disengagement of combatants), development of a federal system (including state formation), constitutional review, democratisation (including preparations for the 2016 political transition) and coordination of international donor support. Among its other mandated functions, UNSOM is helping build the Federal Government’s capacity to promote respect for human rights and women’s empowerment, promote child protection, prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and strengthen justice institutions. Further, it is monitoring, helping investigate and reporting to the Council on any abuses or violations of human rights or of international humanitarian law committed in Somalia, or any abuses committed against children or women.

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