Org. Setting and Reporting

The Middle East Division (MED) is one of the eight regional divisions in the shared regional structure of the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The shared structure, established in 2019 following the reform of the UN's peace and security architecture, is responsible for the entire range of UN political and operational engagements on peace and security issues, including the provision of strategic, political and operational guidance, analysis and direction, and integrated operational support for prevention and sustaining peace, as well as crisis monitoring and response. This position is located in the Middle East Team of the Middle East Division (MED) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) at Headquarters in New York. The incumbent will report to the Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Reviews and monitors activities in the Middle East region; assesses the impact of regional trends, including in relation to regional peacekeeping operations; recommends solutions/possible action by United Nations. • Provides substantive guidance, direction and support to UNDOF and UNTSO. • Monitors the activities of the Missions and make recommendations for improvements or adjustments in relation to critical developments or changing circumstances. • Arranges and participates in assessment and planning missions related to assigned area of work. • Analyses political and related events with a view to providing early warning advice to senior UN officials, including in relation to assigned peacekeeping operations. • Prepares analytical reports and papers on matters of concern to the Security Council, or other bodies; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials. • Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive matters and related regional issues and makes recommendations on actions. • Maintains contacts and coordinates with other sectors of the UN on coordination; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations. • Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to assigned area of expertise. • Carries out, in consultation with the Team Leader, administrative functions relating to staff planning and budgets. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. • 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience in working on Middle East peace and security issues is required. Experience backstopping UN (or similar international organization) political or peacekeeping missions and/or serving in a UN political or peacekeeping mission is required. Experience with budget preparations in the UN system is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available from 8 October 2026 to 7 April 2027. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. NOTE: 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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.