Director, Political Affairs

UN Secretariat; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat seeks a Director for the Asia and the Pacific Division to lead strategic work programs, set priorities, and ensure timely, high-quality outputs. The role requires overseeing budgets, performance monitoring, and staff development while representing the organization internationally.

The incumbent provides expertise on political and peacebuilding matters, guides senior management, and coordinates with donors and other UN entities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in political affairs or international relations is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted as equivalent.
• Minimum fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy or peacebuilding.

Responsibilities

• Directs and manages the Division's work, formulating and implementing its substantive work program and priorities.
• Oversees budgeting, resource allocation, and staff performance evaluations.
• Represents the organization at international forums and provides advisory support to senior management.

Skills

Professionalism

Communication

Accountability

Leadership

Judgment

Decision-making

Political and conflict analysis

Report writing

UN rules and regulations

Gender perspective integration

Teamwork

Representation

Education

Advanced university degree in political affairs / international relations

Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant experience (equivalent)

Job description

Organizational context: The Asia and the Pacific Division (APD) is part of the UN Secretariat's Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). It serves as the regional office coordinating political missions, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding activities across Asia and the Pacific. The Director reports to the Assistant Secretary-General for the region and supports the mandates of DPPA and DPO in preventing and resolving conflict through political solutions and directing peacekeeping operations.

Job purpose: The Director of the Asia and the Pacific Division is responsible for leading and managing the Division's work, including formulating and implementing its substantive work program. This involves setting priorities, allocating resources, and overseeing activities to ensure timely and high-quality outputs. The role contributes to the overall strategy and policy formulation of DPPA-DPO, acting in an advisory capacity to senior management. The Director ensures programmatic and administrative tasks are efficiently managed, including budget preparation, performance monitoring, and staff evaluation. A key aspect is fostering teamwork, managing staff development, and representing the organization at international forums, providing expertise on political and peacebuilding matters within the Asia and Pacific region.

Responsibilities: Directs and manages the Division's work, formulating and implementing its substantive work program, setting priorities, and allocating resources. Oversees the management of Division activities, ensuring timely execution and coordination with other UN entities, donors, and agencies. Contributes to the overall strategies and policies of DPPA-DPO, participating in committees and providing advisory support. Ensures high-quality outputs and compliance with mandates. Manages programmatic and administrative tasks, including budget preparation, performance monitoring, and staff evaluation. Oversees recruitment, considering geographical and gender balance. Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff, fostering teamwork and communication. Represents the organization at international meetings and provides substantive expertise on political and peacebuilding issues.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in political affairs, international relations, or a related field is required. A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted as an equivalent.

Work experience: A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy, international affairs, political affairs, or peacebuilding is required. Specific experience in peace and security matters within the Asia and Pacific region, preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and managing diverse senior-level teams is also necessary.

Skills: Professionalism, communication, accountability, leadership, judgment, decision-making, political and conflict analysis, report writing, UN rules and regulations application, gender perspective integration, teamwork, and representation.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: Chinese, French, Arabic, Russian, Spanish