SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS, P4

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Department/Office: Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan (OPESG-SUDAN)

Deadline: Oct 8, 2025

Job Description

The Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan (OPESG-SUDAN) leads good offices and political engagement with Sudanese, regional, and international stakeholders to enhance efforts to end the Sudan conflict and relaunch a credible political process, aiming for greater coherence, coordination, and integration of the various mediation initiatives. This position is located in the Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan (OPESG-Sudan), based in Addis Ababa. The Special Assistant, Political Affairs, will report directly to the Personal Envoy.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant/Political Affairs will be responsible for performing the following duties:

•Identify, analyze and monitor key political developments, trends and emerging issues in Sudan and the region as well as emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the Envoy’s mandate;

•Assess implications and make recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance objectives, and monitor, evaluate and report on implementation;

•Keep the PESG informed and assist on all matters requiring their personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed, including in liaison with the Head of Office to ensure complimentary;

•Plan, organize and manage the PESG’s official meetings, events and visits, including through the provision of Secretariat services and by coordinating inputs for talking points and speeches;

•Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate;

•Coordinate/draft summary and analytical reports, including inter alia situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file, code cables and inputs for the reports of the Secretary-General;

•Prepare and review contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio;

•Develop and maintain collaborative relationships across the PESG’s office, UN Common System colleagues, as well as with national stakeholders and international partners on information-sharing, policy and coordination matters, and regularly liaise with DPPA-DPO at Headquarters;

•Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and plans of action to address political challenges, in pursuit of shared objectives;

•Participate in fact-finding and other missions, as required;

•Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the Office’s programme of work under the guidance of the envoy and the Head of Office; Support planning and budgetary processes for the unit;

•Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff; •Assist with the selection of new staff

•Perform other relevant duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Thorough knowledge and understanding of the UN’s role in preventive diplomacy, good offices, mediation and conflict resolution; Strong understanding of political and security dynamics in Sudan and the region; Ability to evaluate political situations and challenges and to build effective relations with key stakeholders to identify appropriate solutions; Ability to draft quickly and well, edit and produce cogent analysis of political, social, and economic events and to maintain a dynamic reporting effort; Shows pride in work and 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communications: 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.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amounts 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related fields. 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 years of progressively responsible experience is required in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area.
A minimum of three years of experience in political outreach, mediation, or facilitation is required. Experience working as a Special Assistant or similar capacity to a senior official in the United Nations or similar international organization is required.
A minimum of three years of field experience in political affairs in a UN peace operation or a similar international organization in a conflict or post-conflict is required.
Some experience working in Africa including on Sudan is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II
Arabic	UN Level I	UN Level I	UN Level I	UN Level I

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This post is financed by the Office of Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan (OPESG).

• Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

• The appointment or assignment and renewal therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

• 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.

• 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 underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Auguest 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply: Unrepresented: Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. Under-represented: Andorra, Angola, Belize, China, Cuba, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America

• The recommendation or selection decision for this position shall be void if the recommended or selected candidate does not obtain a clearance according to ST/SGB/2005/7 on designation of staff members performing significant functions in the management of financial, human or physical resources.

• Education qualification exceeding the specified requirement of this job opening including university degrees and certificates shall not give rise to additional entitlements or benefits, or facilitate a move to the Professional category.

The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only a few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category.

For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP. • Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

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. 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.

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.