Principal Political Affairs Officer

About the role

The Principal Political Affairs Officer provides strategic direction and coordination for political analysis, outreach and reporting within the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary‑General for the Great Lakes region. Reporting directly to the Special Envoy, the incumbent supports the implementation of the Peace and Security Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider region.

Key responsibilities

• Identify, analyse and monitor political developments and emerging issues relevant to the mandate.
• Coordinate and oversee the Political Affairs Unit and the preparation of strategic political documents.
• Assess implications of political trends and advise the Special Envoy on strategies, policies and action plans.
• Develop work‑plans to support the Office’s mandate and confidence‑building initiatives.
• Engage regional actors, national authorities, civil‑society groups, UN Country Teams and international partners.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the implementation of the UN Strategy for the Great Lakes Region.
• Liaise with the African Union, ICG, SADC and other regional organisations on framework implementation.

Required profile

• Proven experience in political analysis and advisory roles within international or regional contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams and produce strategic policy documents.
• Strong understanding of peace and security frameworks, especially in the DRC and Great Lakes region.
• Excellent diplomatic skills for engaging with governments, UN bodies and regional organisations.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence high‑level peace and security initiatives in a critical region.
• Work in a multicultural UN environment with a family‑friendly duty station.