SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)

This position is located within the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. The position is based in Tripoli, Libya (Tripoli is classified as a Hardship “E” duty station and a non-family duty station). The incumbent will be under the overall supervision of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
UNSMIL’s mandate as renewed in SC resolution 2434 of 13 September 2018 includes, as an immediate priority, support to the Libyan political process, as well as the undertaking of: (a) support to key Libyan institutions; (b) support for the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance; (c) human rights monitoring and reporting; (d) support for securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and (e) coordination of international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to GNA-led efforts to stabilize post-conflict zones.
Responsibilities
Within limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties:
Coordination and Facilitation
-Assists the SRSG through liaison with Headquarters, the UN Country Team (UNCT), diplomatic corps and other key partners on strategic, political, policy and operational issues related to UNSMIL, to ensure collaboration and effective partnerships; provide related briefings and advice, with the appropriate follow-up as required.
– Keeps the SRSG informed on all matters requiring his/her personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed.
– Leads/participates in/provide support to policy and planning bodies and activities, internal and external meetings and working groups and assessment missions; Lead/coordinate the development of cross-cutting strategies, policy directives, position papers, statements and briefings to advance mandate implementation; Coordinate as necessary special projects in support of Mission-wide strategies for mandate implementation.
– Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with mission components, national authorities, the UNCT, donors and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters; Lead/facilitate Mission or UNSMIL/UNCT coordination on specific initiatives, as required.
– Liaises with section chiefs and UN heads of agencies to ensure coherence between MINUSMA activities and UNCT programmes;
Political Analysis, Advice and Reporting
-Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues that have an impact on implementation of the Mission’s mandate; Provide strategic, political, policy advice and recommendations to the SRSG and COS on issues of significant impact on UNSMIL, and assist them with the creation of conditions necessary to implement key decisions concerning the strategic direction of the Mission.
– Prepares articles, speeches, remarks, talking points, and other materials for the SRSG’s key events, and provide guidance on/review and comment on statements or speeches for the SRSG; Prepare/oversee the preparation of analytical reports, papers and other documents on cross-cutting or sensitive/complex issues of concern to the SRSG and COS, in coordination/consultation with the relevant components of the Mission and UNCT; Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation.
– Reviews and comments on key documents prepared by different components of the Mission, UNCT, and external organizations on issues related to UNSMIL mandate implementation and related issues.
– Attends high-level meetings and take action/follow-up, as required; Represent the Mission at international/regional/national conferences, seminars, meetings and related activities, and provide substantive expertise on Mission and broader peacekeeping-related issues.
Management
-Assists in formulating and managing the implementation of the Mission’s programme of work, including through support the development of planning objectives and priorities, office work plans and budget proposals;
– Heads and manages the SRSG Front Office.
[don’t think this is applicable anymore]- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff; assist in the selection of new staff and follow up on recruitment issues;
– Performs other relevant duties as requested by the SRSG or COS.
Competencies
Professionalism: – 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.
Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; Manages in a deliberate and predictable way; Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; Gives proper credit to others; Follows through on agreed upon actions; Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
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 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field is required. Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Relevant 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 is required. Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official and/or as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior public official is required. Experience working in an integrated United Nations mission is desirable. Experience in supporting political mediation process is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a written assessment and an interview.
Special Notice
• This position is temporarily available until 13 January 2020. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According 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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.
Please click on the link below to apply:
https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=117205&Lang=en-US

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