Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), which was established as part of the Initiative on the Safe Transportation of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports (the “Black Sea Grain Initiative” or BSGI), signed by the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine on 22 July 2022, to facilitate safe navigation for the export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers from designated Ukrainian ports. The United Nations signed the BSGI as a witness, and the Parties request the assistance of the Secretary-General in its implementation, in furtherance of the humanitarian mission of the United Nations and subject to its authorities and mandates.
The unique nature of the assistance requested by the Parties requires mobilization of specialized capacities and expertise to be drawn from across the Organization, and OCHA has been asked to facilitate the recruitment and administration of human resources in this regard, across a range of UN job families, including Humanitarian Affairs, Political Affairs, Public Information, Information Management and Administration.
This temporary job opening is being published for the position of Senior Political Affairs Officer / Head of Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) Secretariat, based in Istanbul, Türkiye. Under the overall supervision of the UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), the incumbent reports to the Deputy UN Coordinator for the BSGI.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer/Head of JCC Secretariat will be responsible for the following duties:
• Coordinates and directs the provision of comprehensive secretariat services during meetings in the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) and provides senior support for engagement with and between the parties to the BSGI.
• Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems relating to implementation of the BSGI; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the BSGI; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.
• Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the JCC Secretariat; incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the Secretariat.
• Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring involvement and participation from across the BSGI Support Office and from relevant headquarters entities.
• Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative and other senior officials as needed.
• Designs initiatives relating to engagement with the BSGI parties; advises on and participates in negotiations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new activities relating to BSGI implementation.
• Provides continuous guidance and advice to the UN Coordinator for the BSGI and other senior officials concerning the organization of work, status of implementation of the BSGI, conduct of business including interpretation of the rules of procedure.
• Leads and directs the work of the JCC Secretariat; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.
• Acts as coordinator for complex coordination tasks.
• Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political issues relating to the implementation of the BSGI.
• Represents the BSGI Support Office in external engagements as required.
• Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries of parties and manages discussions involving several components.
• Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the JCC Secretariat and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work of the BSGI Support Office; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and unit.
• Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Ability to evaluate international political situations in area of assignment. Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system. 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.
COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
PLANNING and 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.
LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.
At least five (5) years of relevant field experience within the United Nations Common System and/or comparable international organizations is required.
Experience working in multilateral political affairs and complex emergency settings is required.
Relevant experience working in the region of Eastern Europe is required.
Experience providing and/or managing secretariat services in support of multilateral member state engagement is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Russian is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. Knowledge of Turkish is desirable.
Assessment
The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
The temporary appointment/assignment is for a duration of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
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.
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.
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.
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.
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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.