Overview
The Associate Political Affairs Officer monitors political-security, humanitarian, and human rights developments, gathers and interprets information, and tracks security situations. The role acts as a point of contact for missions and drafts situational awareness reports.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitors political-security, humanitarian, human rights and other relevant developments in peacekeeping, peace-building, special political mission and non-mission settings.
- Gathers and interprets information from a variety of sources, including internet-based open source media, field mission reports and information from member states.
- Tracks the overall security situation in assigned areas.
- Acts as an initial point of contact at Headquarters for peacekeeping missions to communicate fast changing political and operational developments, and as such, interacts routinely with peacekeeping missions and other field-based entities, especially during crisis situations.
- Drafts, compiles and edits daily situational awareness reports and supports crisis management and response procedures, as part of the larger Watch Room team.
- Prepares presentations, briefings and reports using visual tools.
- Prepares and updates maps of UN field missions using cartographic and information systems, where applicable.
- Researches and drafts special reports related to political and/or operational issues, as required.
- Responds to requests for information from senior managers at Headquarters, linking with field actors.
- Provides point of contact services between headquarters, UN field presences and permanent missions in New York when required.
- Facilitates crisis and emergency procedures when necessary, including drafting of crisis update reports and linking with field entities.
- Performs shifts, as requested, and acts as a designated UN Watch Officer duty officer during silent hours, weekends, and holidays, on a rotational basis with other team members.
- Performs any other duties as requested by the Head of Watch Room or direct supervisor.
Required Experience
A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, administration, political science, international relations or related area is required. Experience with direct crisis management support is required. Experience in an international operational environment is desirable.
Qualifications
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in political science, history, international relations, journalism and media, or a related field is required. A first level university degree, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
