Org. Setting and Reporting
This post is located in the Division for Palestinian Rights (DPR) of the Department of Political and Peace-building Affairs (DPPA). Under the general supervision of the DPR Director, the incumbent reports to the UNISPAL Team Leader. The Division is part of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. DPR, established by the General Assembly, serves as the Secretariat of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP), supporting its meetings and activities, monitoring political developments, organizing international conferences and observances, managing publications and the UNISPAL information system, and implementing training and capacity-building programmes. Its mandate was renewed on 3 December 2024 by the General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/82. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Gathers, selects and analyses information related to the Question of Palestine contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press. • Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the Question of Palestine. • Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the Middle East and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in the Secretariat. • Provides technical and substantive back up in the implementation of the mandate of the office. • Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters. • Plans and implements information management initiatives that typically impact large or multiple user groups, including document, data, web content and records management services and tools, training programmes for information lifecycle management, business intelligence dashboards, cross-cutting monitoring tools, web portals, as well as other emerging technological information and data management solutions including AI solutions. • Co-manages, maintains and updates the online UN Information System on the Question of Palestine (UNISPAL) and the website. Participates in the maintenance and management of systems for classifying, storing, archiving, analysing and transferring information. • Collects and analyses information to determine its relevance and validity, identify and resolve gaps and/or inconsistencies, as well as assesses the reliability of sources and assess potential biases. • Drafts mandated publications issued under the CEIRPP guidance and other relevant documentation and materials. • Assists in preparation of standards, procedures, and best practices for information management; Produces and updates information products such as reports, charts and infographics. • Researches, analyses and evaluates the development of new information management services and new applications of information technology (including AI) to information management, data management, web publishing, and archives and records management and makes recommendations for their deployment. • Participates in provision of secretariat services to CEIRPP and its Bureau, including meetings at and away from Headquarters. • Contribute to the preparation of meetings of the CEIRPP Bureau with SG/DSG/USG and with officials from countries under the Organization's purview. • Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify and analyze political, social and economic developments related to the Question of Palestine. 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. 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. TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, information systems, law, public administration or other related is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience working with databases, websites, website management, and digital content platforms is required. Experience working on the issues of the Queston of Palestine and the Middle East 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 competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
