POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

## POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Organization:UNOAU - United Nations Office to the African Union - Office:UNOAU - United Nations Office to the African Union Organizational Setting and Reporting The position is located within the Political Affairs Section of the United Nations Office to the African Union. The Political Affairs Officer works under the direct supervision of the Chief, Political Affairs Section. The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was created in 2010 to strengthen the United Nations’ interaction with the African Union. UNOAU is mandated to contribute to enhancing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in the area of peace and security, provide coordinated and consistent United Nations advice to the African Union on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support, and streamline the United Nations presence in Addis Ababa to be more cost-effective and efficient in delivering United Nations assistance to the African Union. UNOAU plays a key role in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, signed by the United Nations Secretary-General and Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 19 April 2017. Within delegated authority, and in the context of the UN-AU Joint Framework for Enhance Partnership in Peace and Security, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties, with a specific focus on Central Africa: - Leads and organizes operational activities related to the work of the Office i.e., early warning, conflict prevention, mediation and resolution, support for Good Offices, peacebuilding, governance and electoral support, etc.; maintains close contact and collaboration with the African Union, pursues integrated approaches that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into policy, planning and operational activities. Leads on several thematic issues relevant to peace and security in Africa. - Prepares and reviews briefing notes, statements and talking points for the Head of Mission, Chief of Section, and other senior staff. Provides guidance and advice on assigned issues to the Head of Mission. Prepares statements, responses to queries and comments. Develops and maintains relations with the African Union Commission, diplomatic representatives, and other officials at the working level and advises then on issues and policies of mutual concern. - Responsible for monitoring and political analysis on the situation in Central Africa, including jointly with counterparts with a view to ensuring close collaboration and joint or coordinated action in addressing peace and security issues. Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring Office and/or interagency involvement and participation. Represents the team at round tables, seminars and conferences. - Supports the strengthening of the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in peace and security, and maintains close working relations with other UN field presences, the African Union and RECs. Supports the Special Representative in his/her Good Offices functions, as necessary. - Performs other related duties as required. - Professionalism: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. 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. - 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. - Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. - 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. Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) 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. Job - Specific Qualification A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, humanitarian affairs, disarmament, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience working on peace and security issues with the African Union or RECs, particularly in Central Africa, is required. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, either EnglishorFrench is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. 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. - Un-represented: Andorra, Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. . Under-represented: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, China, Cuba, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Libya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Oman, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America - 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 accordin