JOB DESCRIPTION

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located under Regional Structure of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The incumbent reports to the Middle East Team Leader/Senior Political Affairs Officer under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director and Deputy Director of the Division.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Reviews and monitors activities in the Middle East region with specific focus on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory; assesses trends which might affect the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues, particularly as they relate to the Middle East Peace process; recommends solutions/possible actions by United Nations.
• Analyses political and related events within assigned area, with a view to providing early warning advice to the Director of the Division, ASG Middle East and Asia Pacific and/or USGs DPPA and DPO; provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and country or regional issues and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Prepares reports and papers on related matters of concern to the General Assembly, the Security Council and/or other bodies; drafts notes, background papers, talking points and other correspondence for senior UN officials.
• Participates in the organization and supervision of Secretariat services required by the Security Council and to other committees and bodies related to its work.
• Provides political substantive and operational support to the Offices of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process (UNSCO); acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issues of assignment; keep abreast, and as required, provides back up on issues related to Lebanon, Jordan and Syria; maintains contacts and liaises with other United Nations departments, agencies and programs at Headquarters, in particular in the framework of the DPPA-led Integrated Task Force on the OPT.
• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments and permanent missions to the UN to support the Middle East Division on coordination and policy matters.
• Briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations, prepares briefing notes/talking points for the SG and other senior UN officials as needed.
• Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and 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. 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.
• 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 (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. 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 dealing with peace and security issues in the Middle East region is required.
• A minimum of three years working on issues related to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory is required.
• A minimum of three years of experience backstopping a political or peacekeeping mission from UN Headquarters, is required.
• A minimum of three years of experience working on issues pertaining to international human rights law and international humanitarian law is required.
• Experience working with member states in the context of UN intergovernmental processes, particularly in the General Assembly and Security Council, is required.
• Experience in working on United Nations conflict prevention, conflict resolution, or conflict management issues 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 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 and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31st August 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply:Andorra, Angola,Belize, Brunei Darussalam,China, Cuba, Democratic People”s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea,Grenada, Guinea-Bissau,Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People”s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu,Germany,San Marino.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.