Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
The Principal Political Affairs Officer post is located within the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon with direct reporting lines to the Special Coordinator. The incumbent also serves as Chief of Staff for the Mission.
Responsibilities
The Principal Political Affairs Officer/Chief of Staff promotes key aspects of UNSCOL’s mandate through direct engagement with national and international partners in Lebanon. H/She also provides political analysis and advice to the Special Coordinator for Lebanon (SCL), the Deputy Special Coordinator (DSCL) and United Nations Headquarters, and supports the SCL on all aspects of the management of the Mission. Under the direct supervision of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, the Principal Political Affairs Officer/Chief of Staff is responsible for the following duties:
Political analysis and advice
- Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of UNSCOL’s mandate; Assess implications and make recommendations to the Mission leadership on possible strategies, policies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives; Advise both the SCL and the DSCL on issues arising in the context of UNSCOL’s good offices role, coordination mandate and support to stabilization activities.
Planning, Coordination and Facilitation
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the authorities, political and community leaders, civil society actors, the UN family and other national and international partners on mandate and policy matters; Oversee Mission planning processes, ensuring the mandated actions and component plans are coherent and incorporate cross-cutting concerns such as gender mainstreaming; Facilitate processes critical to mandate delivery, particularly strategic planning, policy coordination and senior level decision making, as well as the proper conduct and follow up of internal evaluations and audits.
Reporting and Information Management
- Ensure regular, timely and high quality reporting to the Mission leadership on developments and issues pertaining to the mandate; Manage the preparation of summary and analytical reports, including situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file and code cables; Prepare/review input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council and the General Assembly; Oversee the preparation of contextual information materials, such as background notes and political profiles; Ensure an effective system of information management designed to guarantee accessibility and utility of information.
Management
- Oversee the integrated delivery of the mission’s mandate in line with the priorities established by the SCL, including programme management, reform/change management, information management, risk management and crisis management; Participate in the formulation of the mission’s programme of work, determining priorities and activities that are in accordance with the mandate; Facilitate the translation of policies given by the SCL into tasks and work with components to ensure their effective implementation; Oversee relevant administrative tasks, including preparation of budgets, assignment and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget, preparation of inputs for the results-based budgeting process (RBB); Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff; Participate in the selection of new staff.
Competencies
- Professionalism – Has ability to identify and analyze the underlying causes of instability (e.g. political, ethnic, sectarian, social, economic) and to provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior officials; Demonstrates sound knowledge of the UN system and understands the roles of substantive components within the Mission; 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;
- Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
- 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;
- Judgement/Decision-making – Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.
- Managing Performance – Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports staff when they make mistakes; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field. A first level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, humanitarian affairs, or related field is required;
- Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis and reporting is required;
- A proven track record of leadership and management in multicultural settings, including coordination of interdisciplinary teams and results based budgeting, is required;
- Experience in strategic and operational planning and analysis is required;
- Experience in coordination with partners on political/economic/humanitarian response in crisis situations is required;
- Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation or similar international organization or non-governmental organization- in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.
Languages
- Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic and/or French is desirable.
Application instructions
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