Associate Political Affairs Officer

The Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa was established when the remit of the Office of the Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan was expanded to cover the entire Horn of Africa region, encompassing all the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries. The Office of the Special Envoy also coordinates and helps to enhance the coherence of the United Nation’s collective work in the region, focuses on the prevention of crises impacting human security through joined-up action in support of Member States’ national and regional strategies in pursuance of lasting peace and sustainable development.

The Associate Political Affairs Officer will be based in the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-Horn of Africa) working on the Horn of Africa. In 2018, the Horn of Africa region experienced significant geopolitical shifts. The rapprochement between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the influence of and competition among the Arabian Peninsula set off a series of significant changes in regional security, economic and diplomatic dynamics. In this regard, OSE-Horn of Africa aims to support and build consensus towards a prosperous, stable, peaceful region.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

• Conduct research on issues pertaining to peace and security as well as political developments in assigned countries in the Horn of Africa Region;
• Prepare a range of internal reports and briefing papers, including but not limited to situation reports, political profiles, notes to file, background papers, briefing notes,
code cables and talking points for the Special Envoy and other senior staff;
• Develops and maintain professional relationships, which support the work of the Office, including representatives of international organizations and other relevant
partners;
• Monitor information and news sources for the production of daily news clippings as well as media reports;
• Follow up on political and security developments in assigned countries in the Horn region;
• Reach out to Civil Society Organizations, think thanks, academia in the Horn Region for in-depth analysis of the political and security situation;
• Undertake other relevant tasks and assignments as requested.