SPECIAL ASSISTANT, New York, United States

## SPECIAL ASSISTANT, New York, United States - Organization:DSS - Department of Safety and Security Organizational Setting and Reporting The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work of the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions. The Department has embarked on a series of reforms to reconceptualize security as an enabler of UN programmes within acceptable risk. New strategic initiatives focus on improving the quality of evidence-based planning and foresight scenarios required to strengthen UN programmatic delivery in the field and ensure the Department’s preparedness and operational resilience in complex emergencies and deteriorating security situations. This role provides is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and changing organization. The Special Assistant provides substantive support to senior UN officials in their daily activities. This position is located under the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG) for Safety and Security, based in New York. Special Assistant will report to the P-4 Special Assistant. For more information on the Department, and how we make an impact on the world in enabling the achievement of SDGs, visit: https://www.un.org/undss/. -Advise senior UN officials on political implications of developments and trends, recommending courses of action. -Manage a senior official’s engagements with internal and external interlocutors, including by ensuring the timely provision of substantive and administrative support from within the departments/missions and UN partners to enable productive and results oriented interactions. -Review, including in conjunction with the Chief of Staff as applicable, all relevant mission related documentation for senior official consideration and endorsement. -Monitor, research and analyse developments and processes related to peace and security in the assigned geographic and/or thematic area in order to support policy formulation, strategy development and decision-making, as well as to identify trends and emerging issues, including by using digital technologies and data analytics. -Draft a wide range of documents and communications, including analytical and procedural reports, background and briefing notes, talking points, meeting checklists and notes, concept notes and correspondence. Support strategic communications by drafting speeches, press releases, publications or other means of public communication, including for social media. -Monitor, verify and report violations of peace agreements in order to promote their implementation. -Integrate relevant rights-based, gender/ ’women, peace and security’ (WPS), ‘youth, peace and security’ (YPS), environmental, and/or climate security perspectives into policy and operational recommendations. -Plan, coordinate and organize programmatic activities in the assigned area of work (e.g., internal and inter-agency coordination mechanisms; support for mediation, dialogue and other peace initiatives; fellowships, trainings and other capacity building activities for Member States; workshops, conferences and seminars; field missions, fact-finding missions, and diplomatic engagements at UN headquarters). -Conduct budgeting, project implementation, reporting, administrative and recruitment processes. -Provide backstopping support for UN peace operations and offices away from headquarters. -Maintain working relationships with UN partners, international and regional organizations, host governments, other national stakeholders, including women and youth and other civil society organizations, communities, academia, and other stakeholders on issues related to peace and security in the assigned geographic and/or thematic area. -Represent the UN in meetings, conferences, working groups and other fora, when required. -Support efforts to promote organizational learning and knowledge sharing by facilitating the collection, analysis and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices. Professionalism: Knowledge of UN mandates related to peace and security in the assigned geographic and/or thematic area. Skills in analytical thinking. Skills in conflict-sensitive, culturally responsive stakeholder engagement. 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 people informed. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, social sciences, anthropology, law, public administration or 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 A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsibility experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, conflict resolution or other relevant areas is required. At least three (3) years of experience in front office settings of senior officials is required. At least two (2) years of field experience in conflict or post-conflict settings within the last five (5) years is required. At least one (1) year experience in public information, speech writing or communications is desirable. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English 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 candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. - This post is funded by General Temporary Assistance. It is available through 31 December 2026, with a possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof is subject to the availability of the project funds, budgetary approval and/or extension of the mandate. Accordingly, the appointment will be temporary for the duration of the grant. - The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/