Org. Setting and Reporting
The mandate and work of the Office derives from General Assembly resolution 51/77 and subsequent General Assembly resolutions, as well as successive Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflict. This position is located in the Brussels Liaison Office of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG). The incumbent reports to the Under-Secretary-General (USG), Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC) through the Special Assistant of the SRSG-CAAC.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Staff to the USG, SRSG-CAAC, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Establishes and maintains working relationships with Member States, United Nations (UN) offices, European Union institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) based in Brussels and Geneva and other partners such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) in order to mainstream CAAC concerns into the work of those entities or organizations. • Reviews and monitors the implementation of recommendations related to CAAC from intergovernmental bodies based in Brussels, Geneva, Vienna and Strasbourg and ensures regular update of the OSRSG-CAAC. • Analyses and disseminates information on the situation of children and armed conflict received from the United Nations Headquarters-based (UNHQ-based) office in a timely and strategic manner to entities based in Brussels, Geneva, Vienna and Strasbourg. • Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high-profile matters related to CAAC issues to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials. • Participates in the organization and supervision of Secretariat services required by the Security Council and to other committees and bodies as required. • Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issues regarding CAAC taking place in Brussels, Geneva, Vienna and Strasbourg. • Provides up-to-date information to the OSRSG-CAAC at UNHQ in New York regarding substantive political matters and country or regional issues and makes recommendations on actions to be taken. • Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments in Brussels, and Geneva, Vienna and Strasbourg on coordination and policy matters, briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations. • Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to CAAC issues. • Carries out, in consultation with the Chief of the Section, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget of the Brussels liaison office. • Drafts plans for the growth of operations of the Brussels liaison office and participates in the activities of implementation. • Develops and maintains key strategic partnerships with donors including leading and developing, fundraising and outreach. • Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of human rights monitoring, analysis and reporting and familiarity with child protection issues in conflict or post-conflict settings. Knowledge of the working modalities of the institutions of the European Union, as well as of the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Human Rights Council. Knowledge of peacekeeping, conflict and post-conflict contexts. Highly developed communication skills in particular, strong written and oral presentation skills. Ability to engage constructively and proactively while using tact and discretion with a diverse range of UN, NGO, governmental and non-state actors and to present sensitive issues and positions. 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 and 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.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in the specified fields of studies in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, diplomacy, law, disarmament, security, conflict resolution or related area is required. A minimum of five years of experience in working with the European Union, the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, and the United Nations Human Rights Council on child protection in conflict or post-conflict settings is required. A minimum of four years of experience working with the United Nations Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict is required. A minimum of three years of experience in managing an Office and team, including responsibility for human resources and budgets, is required. Experience in developing trainings and capacity building on children and armed conflict for a multidisciplinary audience is required. Experience in drafting reports and in writing speeches for high-level officials is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. Either Arabic or Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
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Required Languages
Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking
English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III
French UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III
Desirable Languages
Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking
Arabic UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I
Spanish UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
- This position is temporarily available for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extension. This position is financed by extra-budgetary funds. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • 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. • A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. In accordance with ST/AI/1999/17 section 2.3, a special post allowance (SPA) may only be granted to one level higher than the personal level of the staff member assigned to higher-level functions in his or her own category, whether the higher-level functions are one or several levels higher than the personal level of the staff member. Staff in the General Service and related categories temporarily placed against a post at the Professional level may receive an SPA to the P-1 or P-2 level. • For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. • Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. • 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. • 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. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
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. 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.
