POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, New York, United States

## POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, New York, United States - Organization:DPPA - Department of Political Affairs and Peace-building - Country:United States - Office:DPPA in New York, USA Organizational Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Policy and Mediation Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. The Guidance and Learning Unit is responsible for the development and maintenance of a Departmental system and strategies for knowledge management, guidance material, lessons learning and training. The team is also responsible for a range of cross cutting issues related to the work of Special Political Missions, including UN mission transitions and UN integration. This position serves as Team Leader of the Guidance and Learning Unit and reports to the Chief of Policy and Guidance and the Director of the Policy and Mediation Division. Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Serves as Team Leader of the Guidance and Learning Unit and oversees all aspects of the Unit’s work. - Leads, reviews and monitors the development and promotion of policies, guidance and training for DPPA, working with DPO/DPET on joint, or coordinated, initiatives. - Develops and supports DPPA's knowledge management system, including undertaking lessons learning exercises and after-action reviews, in close collaboration with DPPA-DPO regional divisions, Special Political Missions and other entities - Oversees a variety of guidance and learning issues related to Special Political Missions (SPMs) and provides targeted support to regional desks and SPMs; provides in-briefings and debriefings to Special Representatives and Envoys. - Prepares analytical reports and inputs on sensitive and high-profile matters of concern to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials on DPPA policies and guidance, learning, and other cross-cutting issues such as integration and UN mission transitions. - Meets regularly with operational teams to plan projects and review project activities. - Represents DPPA at interagency policy fora such as the Integration Working Group (IWG); maintains contacts with other UN entities, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations. - Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise. - Works closely with other units in the Division and contributes to the management of the Policy and Mediation Division. Carries out, in consultation with the Chief for Policy and Guidance, administrative functions relating to staff planning and budgetary resources. - Performs other related duties as required. PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the UN's work in peace and security, including its field missions, as well as cross-pillar integration. Knowledge of mission planning processes. Demonstrable experience in conducting research, drafting of analytical papers and documents, and in analyzing complex dimensions of the work of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, including field missions. Strong ability to develop partnerships and work collaboratively with other parts of the UN system and external partners. 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 AND 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. JUDGEMENT / DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related fields is required. A first-level university degree in any of these fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific Qualification A minimum of seven years of experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Knowledge of the work of the UN or related international organization in the areas of peace and security, including conflict prevention and peacemaking, is required. Experience in knowledge management, guidance development and strategic planning is required. Experience in and/or familiarity with the work of Special Political Missions is required. Experience working on UN integration or related area is desirable. Experience leading a team is desirable. Project development, management and results based budgeting experience 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 qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Ando