Political Affairs Officer (Transitional Justice)

The incumbent will perform the following duties as a member of the Political Affairs Section:

• Advises the OSESGY on integrating transitional justice efforts into current and future mediation efforts in accordance with the UN strategy on transitional justice, including the Secretary-General’s Guidance Note on the subject matter.

• Ensures recommendations are based on sound analysis and understanding of the context, including consultations with relevant stakeholders, gender-sensitive victims' perspectives, and adherence to UN methodologies, guidelines, and best practices, including the Secretary-General's Guidance Note on Transitional Justice.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with national authorities, political parties, civil society (notably human rights and victims’ organizations, as well as organizations focusing on transitional justice), and other relevant stakeholders to understand priorities and demands related to transitional justice and to advise on relevant and feasible approaches in relation to the peace process.

• Supports and enhances various coordination mechanisms with relevant international governmental organizations, track II organizations, Member States, and other UN agencies and bodies on (transitional) justice, human rights, and the rule of law.

• Initiates and prepares relevant policy documents, analytical papers, and background papers on developments and approaches related to transitional justice.

• Initiates and supervises research projects on topics relevant to the design and implementation of possible transitional justice approaches and mechanisms.

• Promotes a broad understanding of transitional justice and its application to various aspects of the peace process and mediation efforts within the OSESGY and across its various sections and field offices.

• Participates in the engagements and activities undertaken by the Political Affairs Section, including those organized through the Peace Support Project, and contribute to their planning and preparations, including, but not limited to, drafting talking points and meeting notes.

• Contributes to the process design efforts made by the Political Affairs Section.

• Contributes to political assessment/analysis on Yemen and the region, and fulfils reporting duties in support of the Political Affairs Section.

• Support the Special Envoy’s immediate office as requested by the section chief.

• Performs other duties as required.

Education:

•  Advanced University Degree (master’s or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, law, public administration, or related fields is required.

•  A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.  

Work Experience: 

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in political science, human rights, transitional justice, international relations, conflict resolution or related areas. 

•  Experience in advising on transitional justice in peace processes, and/or working with transitional justice mechanisms in a (post-)conflict context is desirable. 

• Experience advocating with senior government representatives and prominent political actors, promoting and respecting human rights and transitional justice in a (post-)conflict environment is desirable.

•  Experience in working at UN field missions is desirable.

• Work experience in the political process in Yemen is desirable.
  

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. 

For the position advertised, English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.