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Job Opening
Posting Title:
Director, Political Affairs (Africa I Division), D2
Job Code Title:
DIRECTOR, POLITICAL AFFAIRS
Department/ Office: Department of Peacekeeping Operations
Duty Station:
NEW YORK
Posting Period:
31 August 2015-30 October 2015
Job Opening number: 15-POL-DPKO-46743-D-NEW YORK(G)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
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Special Notice
- 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.
- An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
-All staff at the D2 level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon
appointment and annually thereafter.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Org. Setting and Reporting
The Director, Africa I Division reports to the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.
The incumbent oversees the work of 2 (two) Integrated Operational Teams (IOTs) and one Planning
Team, covering peacekeeping operations in Eastern Africa and the Horn of Africa. DPKO provides
political and executive direction to UN Peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact
with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the
implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN,
governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations.
Responsibilities
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Political and operational advice and mission management:
• Provision of strategic advice to the Assistant Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General of
Peacekeeping Operations.
• Develop overarching, integrated strategies, including through integrated mission task forces, and
provide political and strategic direction and day-to-day operational support to DPKO-led operations,
including substantive guidance to those operations on policy and operational issues.
• Devise, promote agreement on and implement integrated solutions to the political and operational
challenges of DPKO-led operations, and support them vis-à-vis the parties to the conflict and other
interested parties; and, convey relevant concerns to members of the Security Council, member states
and other relevant partners, and vice versa. Direct the DPKO crisis response. Contribute to the selection
of senior mission leadership.
Planning and Coordination:
• Coordinate with other offices within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department
of Field Support, as well as other departments, agencies, funds and programmes, member states and
regional entities, to advance the implementation of the mandates and political objectives set by the
Security Council for DPKO-led operations.
• Lead the integrated planning process, in conformity with the Integrated Assessment and Planning (IAP)
policies, for new DPKO-led operations, and coordinate transitions in existing operations, as well as
provide consolidation and exit strategies through:
- provision of the overall political, strategic and operational frameworks;
- development of options for courses of action; leadership of periodic assessment and review missions to
the field;
- liaison and coordination with relevant partners and member states;
- coordination and integration of inputs from within the Department and with the Department of Field
Support, including military and broader security issues, rule of law, support, and other aspects, into a
mission concept for approval by the Security Council.
• Lead ad-hoc groups of member states or other mechanisms in support of peace processes and
implementation of mission mandates.
Reporting:
• Fulfil the reporting obligations of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on peacekeeping
operations and special political missions led by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
Leadership and Management:
• Provide strategic leadership for and executive direction to the IOT.
• Ensure overall quality and timeliness of the products of the Division.
• Manage the Division, set goals and determine priorities, ensure a cohesive effort, reallocate resources
between IOTs as needed, appraise performance, promote and facilitate staff development and training,
including ensuring compliance with mandatory training.
• Act as Officer-in-Charge for the Office of Operations in the absence of the ASG/OO, as appropriate.
Competencies
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Professionalism:
- Knowledge of the work of the United Nations in particular its peacekeeping activities, particularly in
Africa
- Demonstrates political acumen and in-depth knowledge of peace and security issues, particularly in
Africa
- Knowledge of planning and managing multi-component operations
- Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge to meet work demands
- Ability to remain composed while working effectively in stressful situations
- Ability to identify and analyse key strategic, policy and political issues and conduct research and
analysis to formulate options, draw conclusions and make effective recommendations
- Ability to direct the expeditious preparation of substantive and effective proposals, policy papers and
reports.
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 the 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
Leadership:
Serves as a role model that other people want to follow:
-Empowers others to translate vision into results
-Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
-Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain
support
-Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions
-Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo
-Shows the courage to take unpopular stands
-Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the
equal participation of women and men in all areas of work
-Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing
Managing Performance:
-Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority
-Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member
-Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to
skills
-Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
-Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff
-Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative
-Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff
-Appraises performance fairly
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political or social sciences, international
relations, law, history, economics, public administration or related area. A first-level university degree in
combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced
university degree.
Work Experience
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Over 15 years of progressively responsible experience in peacekeeping, international relations, political
affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution or related areas, including 5 years at the international level. At least
three years of experience in peacekeeping in the field or other field operation in a post-conflict situation
is highly desirable. Experience at a headquarters location is highly desirable. Experience in the planning
of multicomponent operations is desirable. Experience on African peace and security issues is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in written and
spoken English is required. In addition, fluency in French is highly desirable.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by
competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well
as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of
efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for
international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these
standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed
criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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. (Charter of the United
Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform,
inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application
Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking
on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening
on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job
opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications,
including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that
submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration
for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the
information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under
serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the
information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the
deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT
PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED
NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK
ACCOUNTS.
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