POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Joint Analysis and Reporting Section in the Office of the DSRSG-Political of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). 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 report to the Chief of the Joint Analysis and Reporting Section.

On 28 October 2022, the Security Council, by its resolution 2656 (2022) extended the mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 31 October 2023, as set out in resolution 2542 (2020) and paragraph 16 of resolution 2570 (2021). The Security Council, in resolution 2542 (2020), tasked UNSMIL, as an integrated special political mission, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, to exercise mediation and through its good offices to: (i) further an inclusive political process and security and economic dialogue; (ii) further the continued implementation of the Libya Political Agreement; (iii) help consolidate the governance, security and economic arrangements of the Government of Libya, including support for economic reform in collaboration with international financial institutions; (iv) help to achieve a ceasefire and, provide appropriate support to its implementation; (v) support subsequent phases of the Libyan transition process, including the constitutional process and the organisation of elections; (vi) coordinate and engage closely with international actors including neighboring countries and regional organisations; (vii) provide support to key Libyan institutions; (viii) support, on request, the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with humanitarian principles; (ix) monitor and report abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence in conflict, notably through the effective deployment of women and child protection advisers; (x) provide support in securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and (xi) co-ordinate international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to Government-led efforts to stabilise post-conflict zones, including those liberated from Da’esh. The Security Council, through resolution 2570 (2021), tasked UNSMIL to provide support to the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned ceasefire monitoring mechanism including through the facilitation of confidence-building measures and the scalable and incremental deployment of UNSMIL ceasefire monitors.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Monitors and analyses emerging political, security and military events and trends in Libya; assesses trends which might affect the political situation according to UNSMIL’s mandate;

2. Leads and organizes operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, including external representation in bi-lateral and group meetings, and supporting field missions and events held by the Mission Leadership, in coordination with other relevant mission sections and external stakeholders; pursues an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit.

3. Prepares and reviews briefing notes and talking points for the Senior Political Affairs Officer, Head of Mission and other senior staff. Provides guidance and advice on assigned issues to the head of mission, as well as other selected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning assigned areas of work, status of negotiations, and the approach to various issues including interpretation of rules of procedure. Prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties and manages operations involving several components of a limited nature, such as civilian, military or humanitarian operations. Develops and maintains relations with government officials at the working levels and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern.

4. Leads a team which deals with a variety of political issues in a region and or country or major conflict. Attends meetings to identify the scope of the project, considers methodologies, and leads or actively participates in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new assignments. Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. Represents the team at round tables, seminars and conferences.

5. Provides substantive support to his/her supervisor in the formulation of the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit by actively participating in or leading meetings, drafting major components and compiling or researching issues related to the mission.

6. Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism – Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas. 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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management or Development, or a related field is required. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience in performing analysis, preparing political reports and providing briefings and strategic advice to senior officials is required.

Experience working on political-security issues in the MENA region is required.

Experience working in UN field operations, or similar international, governmental or non-governmental organisation is desirable.

Experience in working with the Situational Awareness Geospatial Enterprise (SAGE) database is desirable.

Experience working in a Joint Mission Analysis Center, or similar structure is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “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.

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.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.

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.