🇺🇸 Political Affairs Officer (P-3) 🕊️ UN DPPA-DPO Job in New York, United States 🌍

Keeping a peace operation on track takes constant political reading of a fast-moving situation — and for the Central African Republic, that work runs through a dedicated team at UN headquarters. The UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) is hiring a Political Affairs Officer at the P-3 level in New York, on its CAR Integrated Operational Team. At Youth Works Hub we surface international careers alongside youth opportunities, and this is a substantive political role at the heart of UN peace and security work.

Organizational Context

The position is located in the Central African Republic (CAR) Integrated Operational Team (IOT), Central and Southern Africa Division, Africa Office, DPPA-DPO. The Political Affairs Officer serves under the oversight of the Deputy Director of the IOT and reports to a Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

🕊️ Participate in the daily management of peacekeeping operations, namely the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA);

🔎 Gather, select and analyse information from communications, publications and the press; maintain up-to-date knowledge of political events affecting the countries and thematic mandates concerned; and keep abreast of the latest trends, providing inputs to senior officials and colleagues in missions and the Secretariat;

🌍 Monitor national and regional political developments and advise field missions and UN agencies on the ground; provide technical and substantive back-up in implementing the office's mandates; and maintain contacts with other UN sectors, international organisations and governments on coordination and policy;

📊 Monitor actions by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations and NGOs; classify and store information on potential disputes and conflicts in computerised databases; and participate in fact-finding and other missions to countries in the assigned area;

📋 Participate in providing secretariat services to the Security Council, General Assembly, negotiating bodies, conferences and special missions; and prepare meetings of the SG/DSG/USG with officials from the countries concerned.

Who Can Apply

🎓 Education: An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law or public administration is required; a first-level degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu.

💼 Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in political science, international relations, conflict resolution or a related area is required. Also required: a minimum of one year in a peacekeeping operation in Africa in a civilian (non-uniformed) capacity; experience on peace and security issues related to Africa; and experience drafting political analysis and diplomatic correspondence. Experience researching issues related to the Central African Republic is desirable.

🗣️ Languages: Both English and French are required for this job opening.

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Good to Know

📄 The UN Secretariat is committed to 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Staff are subject to periodic mobility, and candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served a minimum of two years in their initial assignment are not eligible. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of recruitment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What level is this role? A P-3 Political Affairs Officer post on the CAR Integrated Operational Team at DPPA-DPO in New York.

❓ How much experience do I need? At least 5 years in political science/international relations/conflict resolution, including at least one year in an African peacekeeping operation in a civilian capacity.

❓ Which languages? Both English and French are required.

❓ What does the role focus on? Political analysis and daily support to the UN peace operation in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Deadline

⏳ 8 October 2026 (postings close at 11:59 p.m. New York time). Youth Works Hub flags time-sensitive international roles like this so you don't miss them.