Special Assistant on Political Affairs – Somalia Full Time

Type of Job
Job Family
Political Affairs

Job Opening Number
19-Political Affairs-UNSOM-116170-J-Mogadishu (M)

Staffing Exercise
N/A

Description
Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and is based in Mogadishu. The incumbent will report to the Special Assistant at the P-5 level.

This is a Temporary Job Opening. The selected candidate will serve for a period through 31 December 2019 with a possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Provides substantive and practical support to the SRSG in identifying analyzing and monitoring political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the Mission’s mandate as given by the Security Council;
• Reviews and monitors activities in Somalia; assesses trends which might affect the political and security situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues; recommends solutions/possible actions by the SRSG.
• Brings to the attention of the SRSG all matters requiring the SRSG’s personal attention, makes recommendations on how those matters might be handled, and ensures appropriate follow-up, as directed;
• Organizes and manages the SRSG’s meetings and Mission events, and prepares written summaries and conducts follow-up activities, as appropriate;
• As requested, handles incoming and outgoing correspondence of the SRSG;
• Drafts correspondence for the SRSG’s signature, as well as other documentation including background papers, talking points, speeches, trends analysis, code cables and reports to the Security Council;
• Develops and maintains close working relations with mission components, officials of state institutions, political parties, civil society, religious actors and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters;
• Plans, organizes and manages conferences, meetings, seminars and workshops as directed by the SRSG;
• Coordinates, as required, actions related to the transition towards United Nations agency-led commitment, depending on the mission’s mandate and the situation in the country concerned. This includes liaising with bilateral donors and other international organizations, with a view to realizing greater synergy and coordination, specifically regard post-mission activities in the country;
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

  Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows
  ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

  Education

  Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management of Development, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying
  experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional training in the areas of planning, facilitation and/or coordination is an asset.

  Work Experience

  A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field. Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Experience working in a disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area. Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. 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 desirable. Experience working in the Horn of Africa is desirable.

  Languages

  English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

  Assessment

  Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

  Special Notice

  This is a Temporary Job Opening for which the selected candidate will serve for a period through 31 December 2019 with a possibility of extension.

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2019 with a possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Tagged as: Somalia, UNSOM