Political Affairs Officer

About the role

The Political Affairs Officer is based in the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Libreville, Gabon. The post sits in the Reporting and Analysis Pillar of the Political Affairs Section and reports through the Senior Political Affairs Officer to the Chief, Political Affairs Service. UNOCA covers ten countries in Central Africa and works closely with the Economic Community of Central African States and other sub-regional organisations.

Key responsibilities

• Gather, select and analyse information from communications and publications to keep UNOCA leadership informed of peace and security trends in the sub-region.
• Carry out in-depth research on emerging peace and security challenges and recommend options for good offices and other UN actions.
• Monitor national and regional political developments and prepare regional, country-specific and thematic reports such as weekly situation reports, briefing notes, analytical notes, options papers and code cables.
• Compile background notes and talking points for the SRSG's engagements and those of the Chief, Political Affairs Section.
• Support the Chief, Political Affairs Service in coordinating the Section and follow up on substantive issues.
• Support UNOCA's partnership with ECCAS, provide secretariat services to the UNSAC and help strengthen the capacity of sub-regional actors in prevention.
• Maintain contacts with other UN sectors, international organisations and governments, and monitor the actions of intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, governments and NGOs.
• Take part in fact-finding missions, prepare meetings of visiting senior UN officials and perform other related duties.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or doctorate, or equivalent) in political sciences or a related field; a bachelor's degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted instead.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or a related area.
• Experience working in Africa on peace and security issues, and on research and analysis of political or peace and security issues in Africa.
• Desirable: front-office experience, experience with regional or sub-regional partnerships, and experience in and/or on Central Africa.
• English and French at UN Level II reading, writing, listening and speaking.