View Vacancy - Senior Policy Adviser

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
UK Permanent Representative's Office
UKMIS (UK Mission to the United Nations)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the UK Mission to the UN. The successful candidate will work as a Senior Policy Adviser on the Africa and Peacekeeping team. They will represent the UK at the UN on a range of issues related to Africa and peacekeeping. This will include conducting negotiations at the Security Council, and on occasion in the General Assembly. The successful candidate will also contribute to policy advice on the UN sanctions regimes for African countries, and will represent the UK on the relevant Security Council Sanctions Committees and Working Groups.

The post holder will join a team of five covering African issues on the Security Council agenda, including Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, the Great Lakes, Mali, Central African Republic, and Liberia, as well as UN relations with the African Union (AU), and the UN’s regional conflict offices. The team also leads on all UN peacekeeping, including peacekeeping reform, tackling Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the Protection of Civilians and Atrocity Prevention, and Children and Armed Conflict. As a member of the UK Mission’s Security Council Team, s/he will work closely with both the Military and the Development and Human Rights Teams.

The Africa Peacekeeping team works flexibly across the range of Africa and peacekeeping dossiers, and the successful candidate will also support the wider work of the Political Section, including planning visits and other ad hoc duties and responsibilities.

Duties & Responsibilities:

This is a policy development and delivery role, heavily focussed on influencing the UN Secretariat, other Member States and NGOs.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, those outlined below:

 

  • Negotiating Security Council products; drafting UK-proposed texts and chairing negotiations; reporting views of other Council members and UN Secretariat; representing UK on Security Council Sanctions Committees; advising London on tactics to best deliver UK policy at the Security Council.
  • Working with colleagues in the UK Mission, and colleagues across the UK network of posts from other UK Government departments, to make full use of UK Government influence across the UN to deliver UK policy on Africa and to provide strategic advice to London in developing wider UK policy on African dossiers.
  • Delivering UK policy at the UN on thematic issues such as protection of civilians, responsibility to protect and children and armed conflict.
  • Briefing UK Permanent Representative for, and reporting on, Security Council and other high-level meetings on issues on a variety of Africa and peacekeeping dossiers.
  • Working flexibly across the team to provide cover for the Team Leader and other senior policy advisers where necessary and developing policy on cross-cutting Africa issues e.g. peacekeeping, conflict and sanctions work. Working flexibly across Political Section to provide wider cover where needed.

 

This is a challenging role with the opportunity to lead on some of the Security Council’s highest profile issues and to develop specific expertise on Africa and conflict issues.  The portfolio will grow as the job holder gains experience in the role.  You will work in a fast-paced and changing environment and must be willing to support other team members and priorities as needed.

  • An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant field;
  • At least four years of relevant work experience;
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a larger team;
  • Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities across a range of tasks and responsibilities that require long-term planning, as well as reaction to urgent day-to-day developments;
  • Proven track record of influencing a wide range of stakeholders, and strong briefing skills;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to deliver at pace.

Under US State Department requirements, the Mission may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or G or NATO visa holders with EAD cards. If you hold a visa other than an G or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Mission. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at

www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance. 

 

Applications will only be accepted from nationals from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK or US.

  • Experience of work in public service;
  • Public sector experience;
  • Knowledge of the work of the UN, particularly regarding peace and security issues and peacekeeping
  • Knowledge of conflict trends in Africa;
  • Familiarity with the UK Government.  
21 August 2017
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
UK Mission to the United Nations, New York
UK Delegation
1
USD
$72,206.00
10 October 2017

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

At the UK Mission to the UN, we strive to nurture a diverse workforce by promoting policies that emphasize fairness, transparency, creativity and a comfortable and safe working environment in which individual differences are respected and the contributions of all staff are recognized and valued. The Mission values honesty, integrity, professionalism, and teamwork. Treating all colleagues with respect is fundamental. We have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment and discrimination.  We want staff to express themselves freely, to think creatively and to feel free to challenge policy perspectives constructively. The Mission supports the professional learning and development of all colleagues.  The Mission’s leadership is committed to doing all it can to improve the work/life balance of its staff, and encourages flexible working when possible.

Resume and a cover letter should be submitted by 21 August 2017. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor if they intend to apply.  Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

 

The UK Mission to the United Nations is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.