Political Affairs Advisor,P4 /ICS 11 At UNOPS

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Application Deadline: 23 November 2021

Women are encouraged to apply

The UNOPS Europe & Central Asia (ECR) Geneva Office is looking for a Political Affairs Advisor,P4 /ICS 11 for the SUN Movement Secretariat.

This is an International position and the candidate is expected to have relevant education and experience background along with Language proficiency

Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritises country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries.

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a central role in enabling the multiple members and structures of the Movement to work together to advance progress on country-level priorities and the global positioning of nutrition.

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises approximately 35 personnel, based in Geneva and in various regions globally. All parts of the Movement – member governments, the SUN Global Support System – the GSS, consisting of four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors) and the SUN Movement Secretariat, together with the SUN Movement Coordinator, work together to align and focus efforts on priorities within countries.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

Role of the Political Affairs Advisor

The Political Affairs Advisor reports to the SUN Movement Coordinator, UN Assistant Secretary General, who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation of the SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap, leads the SUN Movement Global Support System and represents the SUN Movement globally.

The role is part of a small global strategic advisory team, to support coordination, representation, advocacy, and liaison tasks with Movement members and stakeholders, and leading engagement with the Lead Group members.

The role works in close collaboration with the Director, SUN Movement Secretariat and the Senior Management Team of the Secretariat, to ensure political positioning of nutrition becomes increasingly institutionalised in member countries and stakeholder organisations.

The purpose of the Political Affairs Advisor role is to support the Coordinator and the Secretariat in inter-governmental and multi-stakeholder processes, develop and lead the implementation of political engagement strategies and strengthen and sustain policy and advocacy at the global level to position nutrition outcomes as a key maker and marker of sustainable development. This will increase the likelihood of generating additional resources and political capital to accelerate nutrition improvement.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Political analysis

  • Identify, analyse and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to key principles and core themes of the SUN Movement.
  • Assess national, regional and global political trends that might affect the SUN Movement; recommend solutions/possible actions by the Coordinator and or Secretariat in response.
  • Provide up-to-date information to the Coordinator regarding sensitive political matters related to the positioning of the SUN Movement.
  • Prepare analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high-profile political matters of concern to the SUN Movement.

2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy

  • Develop and maintain relations with government officials, donors, missions and other political stakeholders at the working level to understand issues and policies of mutual concern.
  • Liaise with UN departments/agencies/funds/programmes, other international organisations and governments; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
  • Work with key stakeholders across the Secretariat to identify opportunities to showcase to governments and other key political stakeholders the SUN Movement’s added value and progress in reducing malnutrition.
  • Participate in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise.
  • Represent the Coordinator and/or the SUN Movement Secretariat (when requested) in public events, task forces, working groups, intergovernmental and interagency discussions, interactions with stakeholders.

3. Support to the Coordinator

  • Provide strategic advice to the Coordinator and Secretariat on leverage political support to more effectively meet SUN country priorities.
  • Draft notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for the Coordinator in collaboration with the Communication and External Affairs Advisor, Nutrition Advisor and Food Systems Advisor.
  • Monitor political events at country, regional and global levels, in order to ensure appropriate positioning of the SUN Movement and identify opportunities for appropriately positioning the role of the Coordinator.
  • Arrange and participate in country visits and other political meetings of the Coordinator, as relevant.
  • Provide advice and support to the Coordinator in leveraging political will and funds to address the causes of malnutrition.
  • Support the Coordinator’s function by contributing in shaping the Secretariat’s thinking and execution of new concepts, approaches and priorities for the future direction of the SUN Movement, including its Global Support System
  • 4. Knowledge management and innovation
  • Drive knowledge sharing and strategic communication across the organisation and beyond, ensuring collaboration and continuous feedback as appropriate.
  • Identify and share new government policies that have been enacted and implemented that leverage new resources and action for nutrition improvement.
  • Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements

Qualifications

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public administration, economics, law, political sciences, social sciences or related field is required.
  • A bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.
  • A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience is required, in the areas of international relations and development, law, diplomacy or other related field is required.
  • Experience in political outreach, analysis, advice and reporting is required.
  • Experience at the international level in multi-stakeholder and/or multilateral environments on food security, or nutrition or sustainable agricultural issues is desirable.
  • Experience of working with bilateral and multilateral development agencies, including an aptitude for, and knowledge of, current issues in nutrition and development is desirable.
  • Fluency in English Language ( Writing, Reading and Speaking) is required.

Please refer to the link for a detailed job description and qualification requirements.

Link: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=22855

How to apply

Please refer to the link below for a detailed job description, qualification requirements and to submit your application

Link: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=22855

VA end date: 23 November 2021.

Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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