Political Affairs Officer

### Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Gender Unit in the Office of the Under Secretary-General for Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) of the United Nations, New York. The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Gender Adviser, who is the Chief of the Gender Unit. The DPPA-DPO serves as an integrated "center of excellence" for United Nations Peace Operations, responsible for preventing, responding to and managing conflict and sustaining peace in context of mandates in countries where peace operations its purview are deployed. This includes facilitating and implementing political agreements, providing integrated strategic, political, operational and management advice, direction and support to peace operations, developing political, security and integrated strategies, leading integrated analysis and planning of peace operations and field missions backstopping. ### Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Reviews and monitors activities in the country or region assigned; assesses trends which might affect the implementation of the gender equality and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) such as the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues solutions/possible action by United Nations. • Supports and guides the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security and the United Nations related tools for gender equality. • Supports the integration and implementation of departmental guidance on Women, Peace and Security in all aspects of peace and security processes and provides backstopping to field missions on the operationalization of the policies and guidance in all mission components. • Contributes to the design and implementation of a department-wide action plan to translate existing mandates, commitments, and policies on the promotion of gender equality. • Supports/and or advises the various department divisions, components, offices and sections on the formulation and implementation of policies, strategies and programmes promoting gender responsive approaches and combating conflict-related sexual violence and gender based violence, including working closely with the conflict-sexual violence team. • Establishes working relationships with the different offices of the Departments (DPPADPO) and other UN entities such as UN Women. Supports the USG's Women, Peace and Security (WPS) task force and DPO Gender Focal Points Working Group at the United Nations Headquarters. • Using data-driven information and digitalization, drafts, edits and provides substantive results-based inputs for periodic briefings and speeches on Women, Peace and Security issues at the strategic and operational levels. • Provides inputs on planning processes, including mission concepts and operational planning; results-based budgeting frameworks for field missions and Headquarters; staffing tables and other operational tools. • Supports the development and roll-out of gender related training modules and scenariobased training materials for all levels of peacekeepers: civilian, police and military. • Conducts substantive research and analysis of gender and WPS issues in operations, utilizing analytical monitoring and evaluation processes, including indicators and benchmark,to ensure measurement of progress in the integration of gender equality and Women, Peace and Security perspectives in programmes and policies as well as responses to sexual and gender-based violence in conflict settings. • Collaborates with key stakeholders, including Member States, UN entities, civil society and other organizations that have complimentary mandates for the promotion of women's and girls' rights and coordinates with them through participation in relevant interdepartmental and interagency mechanisms and forums for coordination, as well as with relevant regional organizations, national institutions and NGOs. • Represents the Department on gender related issues at workshops, conferences and events, as needed. • Performs other related duties as required. ### Competencies PROFESSIONALISM – Knowledge of international relations, international human rights law, women's rights or other related areas, particularly, in conflict or post-conflict settings. Knowledge in the areas of gender and peacekeeping or gender conflict/post-conflict environments. Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to advance the implementation of gender equality and WPS mandates across the Department and in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes and how these impact the implementation of the gender equality and WPS mandates in affected countries and areas. Ability to prepare well written analytical reports. 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. 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 ### Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in political science, in gender affairs, women's rights, law, sociology, economics, other social science or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying two additional years of relevant work experience on gender may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies. ### Job - Specific Qualification Not available. ### Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in policy development or advisory or programme management experience related to promotion of Women, Peace and Security, data and digitalized information management, gender equality and operational gender integration, particularly in an international organization is required. Experience in integrating gender perspectives into mainstream policies or programmes in conflict post-conflict settings is required. Experience implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda is desirable. ### Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. 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