JPO in Political Affairs

TERMS OF REFERENCE

I. General Information

Title: JPO in Political Affairs

Sector of Assignment: Disarmament Affairs

Organization/Office: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Geneva Branch, BWC team

Country and Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Duration of assignment: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university degree (usually bachelor’s degree).

II. Supervision

Title of Supervisor:

Political Affairs Officer, UNODA Geneva Branch, BWC team

Content and methodology of supervision: UN performance evaluation

Establishment of a Work Plan:
During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and his/her supervisor.

Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate the JPO’s performance.

III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations

This position with considerable responsibilities and various learning opportunities provides ample exposure to United Nations action and policy in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation, in particular with regard to the substantive work of one of the Geneva-based disarmament Conventions, namely the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the projects and activities supported by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Geneva Branch in support of the BWC.

The position will thus increase the JPO’s awareness and understanding of multilateral disarmament in the weapons of mass destruction sphere; build and strengthen the capacity to substantively support multilateral disarmament processes, forge partnerships with a diverse array of disarmament stakeholders (Member States, UN agencies, civil society organizations, national institutions, etc.), as well as familiarize with the operationalization of major UN policies and strategies on cross-cutting issues (gender parity, youth, disarmament education, etc.)

as they relate to disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation.

• Provide substantive support to the BWC Implementation Support Unit (ISU) in the implementation of extrabudgetary projects in support of the Convention and during official BWC meetings taking place in Geneva.
• Follow the debates in the framework of the Convention serviced by the ISU, keeping abreast of and conducting research on related substantive, current and emerging political developments and initiatives, including by analyzing information from different sources.
• Support the preparation, implementation and reporting requirements related to activities undertaken as part of specific projects and activities in support of the BWC.
• Assist in planning and organizing meetings serviced by the BWC ISU, including taking care of all relevant aspects of conference management, preparing official documentation, and producing substantive reports on said meetings.
• Provide substantive, procedural and logistical support to BWC officeholders as requested.
• Draft official and internal correspondence, briefing notes, background papers, presentations, talking points for UN senior officials.
• Contribute to maintaining and developing content for relevant UNODA website pages, social media presence, databases on national reports, as well as other outreach and informational products and initiatives.

IV. Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in public administration, political science, international relations, law, development, or other related area.

Work experience:

A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in political…