POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, P4

This position is located in the Science, Technology and International Security Unit of the Office for Disarmament Affairs, New York. The Unit advises both the Office of the High Representative and the Office of the Director on scientific and technological issues in the context of international security, including those relating to autonomous weapons, artificial intelligence in the military domain, information and communications technologies, as well as normative and analytical research activities, in support of the Secretary-General's priorities related to disarmament. The Unit is also responsible for the preparation of political analyses and substantive background notes on a broad range of initiatives and topics, as well as on salient cross-cutting issues. Furthermore, the Unit serves as a liaison on programmatic issues with other Secretariat offices and collaborates on the preparation of substantive assessments and inputs to the reports of intergovernmental and oversight bodies. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Science, Technology and International Security Unit. For more information, please refer to https://disarmament.unoda.org.

Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Reviews and monitors activities in cross-cutting and emerging disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control issues; assesses current status of processes, treaties and other instruments (political, normative, and legal) as well as trends which might affect geo-political conditions; recommends solutions/possible action by United Nations. • Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to provide early warning advice to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and Director. • Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials. • Participates in the organization and supervision of Secretariat services required by the General Assembly and to other committees and bodies related to its work. • Acts as focal point for the collection and analyses of information on political issues of assignment. • Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and country or regional issues and makes recommendations on actions to take. • Maintains contacts with other offices and departments within the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations. • Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to their assigned area of expertise. • Carries out, in consultation with the Chief of the Unit, administrative functions relating to programme implementation, the staff planning, and budget. • Acts as focal point to the United Nations Disarmament Yearbook and ODA's Education Strategy for the Unit, and develops behavioural science interventions and strategic foresights techniques in relevance to science and technology matters. • Develops the Unit's tailored industry partnership strategy in the context of science and technology. • Organizes workshops on advancements in science and technology in relation to international peace and security. • Drafts plans for projects and participates in the activities of implementation. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other related duties as required.

Professionalism: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. Ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box." Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, international development, conflict resolution or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Not available.

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, conflict resolution or related area is required. A minimum of four years experience working on advancements in science and technology in the context of international peace and security is required. Experience in drafting high-level reports on science and technology issues, such as on military applications of artificial intelligence, lethal autonomous weapons systems, legal reviews on new weapons, means and methods of warfare, and coordinating them internally and externally with relevant entities within a large entity is required. Demonstrated experience in servicing intergovernmental bodies and meetings on science and technology in the context of international peace and security, such as the General Assembly, the relevant working groups of the UN Disarmament Commission, or similar level bodies/working groups is required. Experience with cross-entity coordination on the nexus of developments in science and technology, and broader disarmament and arms control matters, is desirable. Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.