SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) as part of the integrated system between Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNSOM, in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Special Assistant reports to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) for Somalia.ResponsibilitiesWithin limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant is responsible for the following duties: •Deliver substantive support to the DSRSG/RC/HC in line with the Mission mandate as provided by the Security Council; keep the DSRSG/RC/HC informed of all matters requiring his/her attention, including issues that may impact development, humanitarian and peacebuilding programming. Proactively formulate options for decision and ensure follow-up as needed. •Identify and analyze top line political, humanitarian, and economic issues. Monitor emerging issues in line with the Mission mandate and UN Country Team (UNCT) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) priorities. Evaluate implications and formulate concrete recommendations on potential UN policies and strategies. •Facilitate integrated activities on behalf of the DSRSG/RC/HC and coordinate communication and cooperation between UNSOM and the UNCT. Liaise and maintain close working relationships with the UNCT, HCT, state institutions, civil society, and diplomatic missions across the development, humanitarian and peacebuilding nexus. Strengthen working relationships to improve synergy and coordination between all interlocutors and workstreams. Closely monitor UNCT activities to avoid duplication and promote unified responses to overlapping issues. •Author analytical products and correspondence including, but not limited to, code cables, Security Council reports, and other documents for the DSRSG/RC/HC’s signature. Edit UNCT and UNSOM reports under tight deadlines, ensuring reference and linkages between development, humanitarian and peacebuilding areas. •Organize and provide briefing material, talking points and speeches for DSRSG/RC/HC internal meetings, external missions and other activities. Provide immediate summaries of DSRSG/RC/HC activities as required and follow-up with partners, as needed. •Perform other duties as assigned.

CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of humanitarian, development and peace coordination and the HDPN; 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.EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field. A first university degree with an additional two years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree or equivalent.Job - Specific QualificationNot available.Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field is required. Experience working on development and humanitarian issues is required. Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) - or similar international organization or non-governmental organization - in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior public official is desirable. Previous experience working in the region is desirable. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required.LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.AssessmentPreviously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special NoticeThis "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.No FeeTHE 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.