Intergovernmental Affairs Officer

UN Secretariat; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat in New York seeks an Intergovernmental Affairs Officer to facilitate intergovernmental dialogue and decision‑making. The role supports planning, coordinating and supervising secretariat services for UN bodies and conferences, preparing notes, managing voting, and issuing documentation timely.

The incumbent provides guidance to presiding officers and delegates on procedures, drafts correspondence and analytical reports, and maintains relations with international organisations using

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in international relations, law, diplomacy or related field.
• Strong planning, organisation and documentation management skills.
• Experience advising intergovernmental bodies and providing procedural guidance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, coordination and supervision of secretariat services for General Assembly, ECOSOC and affiliated bodies.
• Serve as Secretary/Deputy Secretary for assigned intergovernmental bodies and provide procedural guidance to presiding officers.
• Prepare procedural notes, manage voting/election procedures and ensure timely issuance of meeting documents.
• Draft summaries, analytical reports and correspondence for senior UN officials; maintain relations with delegates and international organisations.
• Utilise information and communication technologies to enhance processes and reporting.

Skills

Professionalism

Planning and organising

Client orientation

Technological awareness

Managing performance

Political awareness

Negotiating and diplomatic skills

Intergovernmental processes knowledge

Documentation management

Communication

Advisory skills

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in international relations, law, diplomacy, or related field

First-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying work experience

Job description

Organizational context: This position is within the Disarmament and Peace Affairs Branch (DPAB) of the General Assembly and ECOSOC Affairs Division (GAEAD), Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) at the UN Secretariat. DGACM facilitates intergovernmental dialogue by providing comprehensive conference and parliamentary services globally. GAEAD specifically supports the deliberation and decision‑making processes of UN bodies and conferences.

Job purpose: The Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, reporting to the Chief of Branch, plays a crucial role in facilitating intergovernmental dialogue and decision‑making. The incumbent will assist in planning, coordinating, and supervising secretariat services for various UN bodies, including the General Assembly and ECOSOC, and their subsidiary organs, as well as UN conferences. This involves preparing procedural notes, managing voting procedures, ensuring timely documentation, and providing expert guidance to presiding officers and delegates on organisational, procedural, and administrative matters. The role also includes preparing analytical reports, drafting correspondence for senior officials, and maintaining key relationships with delegates and international organisations, leveraging technology to enhance these functions.

Responsibilities: The Intergovernmental Affairs Officer is responsible for assisting in the planning, coordination, and supervision of secretariat services for sessions and meetings of the General Assembly, ECOSOC, and their subsidiary bodies, as well as UN conferences. This includes serving as Secretary/Deputy Secretary for assigned intergovernmental bodies. Key duties involve preparing procedural notes for presiding officers, managing voting and election procedures, and ensuring the timely and accurate issuance of all meeting documentation. The role requires providing continuous guidance and advice to elected officers on work organisation, negotiations, rules of procedure, and administrative issues, utilising information and communication technologies. Additionally, the incumbent will prepare summaries and analytical reports on meeting proceedings, follow up on decisions, draft correspondence for senior UN officials, and maintain contact with delegates and international organisations.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in international relations, law, diplomacy, or a related field is required. A first‑level university degree in a relevant field, combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted as an alternative.

Work experience: A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in international relations, law, diplomacy, or a related field is required. Essential experience includes providing substantive support to intergovernmental processes and legislative machinery within an international organisation like the UN, and familiarity with the procedures, policies, and practices of major international bodies. Experience advising intergovernmental body leaders and data analytics are desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, Planning and Organising, Client Orientation, Technological Awareness, Managing Performance, Political awareness, Negotiating and diplomatic skills, Knowledge of intergovernmental processes and rules of procedure, Documentation management, Communication, Advisory skills.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: French