Principal Political Affairs Officer

UN Secretariat; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat in New York is seeking a Principal Political Affairs Officer to serve as the senior advisor to the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. You will monitor mandate implementation, provide strategic and substantive advice, and liaison with DPPA, other UN entities, and external partners.

The role supports reform, prioritizes prevention and sustaining peace, and helps achieve HR, financial, and communication targets across the department.

Qualifications

• Education: advanced degree in political science, international relations, or a related field.
• Experience: minimum 15 years in diplomacy, policy-making, management or executive direction at senior levels.
• Languages: English required; French desired.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior advisor to the Under-Secretary-General on political and managerial matters.
• Maintain liaison between DPPA and other Secretariat departments, agencies, and partners.
• Coordinate with divisions reporting to the USG and other entities within the peace and security pillar.
• Advance reform and change management initiatives within the DPPA.
• Support strategic planning and partnerships and advise on senior appointments.
• Represent the Office in inter-departmental meetings and working groups.

Skills

Professionalism

Teamwork

Accountability

Leadership

Judgement & Decision Making

Diplomacy

Policy Making

Management

Strategic Planning

Conflict Prevention

Mediation

Conflict Resolution

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

UN System Knowledge

Education

Advanced degree in political science or international relations

First-level university degree with 2 years of qualifying experience

Job description

Organizational context: This position is within the Office of the Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA/OUSG) at the UN Secretariat. DPPA focuses on preventing and resolving conflict through inclusive political solutions, encompassing analysis, early warning, peacemaking, crisis management, sustaining peace, and partnerships. The role reports directly to the Under-Secretary-General.

Job purpose: The Principal Political Affairs Officer serves as the senior advisor to the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, addressing complex political and managerial issues. This role is crucial in monitoring mandate implementation, providing strategic and substantive advice, and acting as a key liaison between DPPA, other UN departments, agencies, and external partners. The officer supports the USG in strengthening DPPA's capacity as the UN's political arm, advancing the Secretary-General's reform agenda, prioritizing prevention and sustaining peace, and ensuring integrated political, strategic, and operational responsibilities. Managerially, the role assists the USG in achieving human resources, financial management, and communication targets, overseeing office operations and information sharing across the peace and security pillar.

Responsibilities: Serve as the senior advisor to the Under-Secretary-General (USG) on political and managerial matters, monitoring mandate implementation and providing substantive and managerial guidance. Maintain liaison between DPPA and other Secretariat departments, specialized agencies, Special Political Missions, and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. Coordinate with relevant divisions, offices, and teams reporting to the USG, as well as other entities within the peace and security pillar and the broader UN system. Advance the implementation of reform and change management initiatives. Assist the USG in fulfilling responsibilities as Head of Department and UN focal point for mediation, prevention, electoral assistance, peacebuilding, and sustaining peace by supporting strategic planning and partnerships. Provide advice on managerial and substantive issues, including DPPA's input into senior appointments. Represent the Office and Department in inter-departmental meetings and working groups.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in political science, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted as an alternative.

Work experience: A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy, policy-making, management, or executive direction at senior levels is required. Experience in managing and supervising teams, and in programmatic/strategic planning or guidance is also mandatory. Experience monitoring political activities and making recommendations for conflict prevention, mediation, and resolution, as well as supporting senior officials in front-office settings, are desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, Teamwork, Accountability, Leadership, Judgement & Decision Making, Diplomacy, Policy Making, Management, Strategic Planning, Conflict Prevention, Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, UN System Knowledge.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: French