Director, Political Affairs, D2

DIRECTOR, POLITICAL AFFAIRS, D2

Department/Office: Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs - Department of Peace Operations - Shared Structure
Duty Station: New York
Job Opening ID: 269183
Job Network: Political, Peace and Humanitarian
Job Family: Political Affairs
Category and Level: Professional and Higher Categories, D-2
Deadline: March 7, 2026

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the single regional political-operational structure shared by the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO), in the Northern Africa Division. The Director reports directly to the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Africa in DPPA-DPO, and through her to the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for the following:

• Direct and manage the work of the Northern Africa Division of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations; formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Division under his/her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Division, including the formulation and implementation of its annual workplan ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, and coordinate work in the different areas, both within the Division and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations system, donors and agencies, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the formulation of the departments overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the USGs/ASG; contribute to the overall management of the Departments' activities and operations.
• Follow political, security and other developments in the countries of the Northern Africa region to provide early warning of tensions and potential conflicts, in support of the Secretary-General's responsibilities in the maintenance of international peace and security.
• Exercise overall management of timely provision of political analyses, briefing notes, background papers and talking points to the Secretary-General, the Under-Secretary-Generals and the Assistant Secretary-General, and of reports to the General Assembly and Security Council, and other policymaking organs, as appropriate.
• Provide experienced counsel and support to Special Representatives, Heads of Mission, Coordinators or Envoys of the Secretary-General. Maintain regular contacts with field missions (both peacekeeping and special political missions) and engage in monitoring and support to those missions.
• Provide senior assistance, analysis, advice and recommendations for possible actions to the Assistant Secretary-General and the relevant Under-Secretary-Generals on preventative diplomacy and peacemaking, as well as peacekeeping, in relation to political and security developments in Northern Africa and relevant regional and subregional organizations.
• Coordinate and maintain regular contacts with Member States, regional and sub-regional organizations, other relevant Departments and offices of the UN secretariat, and UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes on issues under the purview of the Division. Lead related inter-agency task forces and working groups.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate.
• Coordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to the Security Council and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
• Ensure that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.
• Undertake or oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of inputs to the budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance.
• Oversee the recruitment of staff for the Division taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
• Ensure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision; foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries.
• Chair meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represent the Organization at relevant international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences.
• Perform other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of political and peacebuilding affairs in North Africa, as well as relevant regional and sub-regional organizations. Shows ability to conduct political and conflict analysis and oversee the preparation of analytical reports. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• 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. Uses time efficiently.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
• 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. Drives for change and improvement. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives.
• 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in politics or international relations, law or international law, social sciences or another related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy, international affairs, political affairs, peacebuilding or a related area is required.
• Experience in peace and security matters in Northern Africa is required.
• Experience in providing analysis and developing strategy or policy in support of senior-level political engagement is required.
• A minimum of three years of experience in Africa, preferably in Northern Africa, is required.
• Experience managing diverse teams at the senior level is required.
• Experience working in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Arabic is required.