Overview
The Senior Political Affairs Officer (Head of Office) acts as a Senior Adviser to the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, ensuring the effective direction and integrated management of the Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara's activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Acts as Senior Adviser to the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara.
- Ensures the effective direction and integrated management of OPESG's activities.
- Oversees the internal management of OPESG.
- Facilitates the translation of mandates into viable tasks and priorities.
- Conducts research and analyses political situations.
- Formulates political affairs strategies.
- Reviews and monitors political and related developments in Western Sahara.
- Prepares analytical reports and papers.
- Arranges and participates in mediation, negotiations, fact-finding missions and other relevant missions.
- Provides up-to-date information to the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General.
- Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office of the Personal Envoy.
- Conducts close liaison with the Secretariat and other Departments and Agencies of the United Nations system, other international organizations and governments.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Required Experience
- A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.
- Experience working on political or peace and security issues in and related to North Africa is required.
- Experience in political analysis, particularly related to conflict prevention and conflict resolution is required.
- Experience providing advice and support to senior officials on mediation strategies is required.
- Experience in drafting analytical papers on politically sensitive and high-profile matters is desirable.
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related.
- A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
