The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York has announced an exciting career opportunity for qualified professionals seeking to contribute to global diplomacy, international peace and security, and United Nations policy engagement.

Applications are now open for the position of Political Policy Advisor, a full-time role based at Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. The successful candidate will support Ireland’s foreign policy priorities at the United Nations, particularly in areas related to peace, security, peacebuilding, and international cooperation.

The position offers professionals with backgrounds in international relations, diplomacy, political science, human rights, international law, and related fields an opportunity to work directly within a major multilateral environment.

Application Deadline: 5:00pm New York Time on 6 July 2026

About the Political Policy Advisor Opportunity

The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations works to promote and protect Ireland’s values, interests, and international priorities through diplomatic engagement and cooperation with global partners.

The Political Policy Advisor will work under the guidance and supervision of diplomatic staff and will help advance Ireland’s policy objectives within the United Nations system.

The role will focus particularly on:

• Peace and security matters
• UN Security Council engagement
• Peacebuilding initiatives
• International political developments
• Multilateral negotiations
• Foreign policy priorities

The successful applicant will contribute to research, policy development, diplomatic coordination, communications, and support for high-level international engagements.

Position Details

Job Title: Political Policy Advisor
Employment Type: Full-time
Location: Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, New York
Address: 885 2nd Avenue – Floor 21, New York, NY 10017

Salary and Benefits

The successful candidate will receive:

• Salary of $78,736 gross per year
• Equivalent to approximately $3,018 gross per fortnight
• Base point of scale with five increments based on satisfactory performance
• 20 days paid annual leave per year, adjusted proportionally
• Health insurance contribution covering 80% of employee medical insurance costs, subject to applicable terms
• Access to learning and development opportunities

Key Responsibilities of the Political Policy Advisor

The appointed candidate will support the work of Ireland’s Mission through a wide range of diplomatic and policy-related activities.

Responsibilities include:

1. Supporting Ireland’s Foreign Policy Priorities

The Political Policy Advisor will:

• Engage with international policy issues affecting Ireland’s interests
• Participate in meetings and negotiations
• Report on political developments
• Engage with UN member states and international stakeholders
• Support diplomatic discussions on key global issues

2. Peace, Security, and UN Engagement

The role will involve:

• Monitoring political and security developments at the United Nations
• Supporting Ireland’s engagement with the UN Security Council
• Contributing to discussions on peacebuilding
• Following developments related to international peace and security

3. Research and Policy Analysis

The successful candidate will:

• Conduct research on relevant international issues
• Analyse political developments
• Prepare policy information and recommendations
• Identify important trends and key developments
• Produce clear written briefings

4. Diplomatic Coordination

The Political Policy Advisor will participate in:

• European Union coordination activities
• Multilateral diplomatic engagements
• Meetings with international partners
• Discussions involving UN bodies and stakeholders

5. Communications and Events Support

The role also includes:

• Supporting Mission communications
• Creating quality social media content
• Helping organise events hosted by the Mission
• Providing logistical support for official visits

This includes supporting major diplomatic periods such as the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications and skills:

Educational Background

Candidates must hold a degree, preferably in fields such as:

• International relations
• Political science
• Peace and security studies
• Human rights
• Development policy
• Humanitarian affairs
• International law
• Related areas

Professional Experience

Applicants should have:

• At least two years of relevant professional experience
• Strong interest and understanding of international relations
• Knowledge of multilateral diplomacy
• Understanding of UN processes and systems

Required Skills

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong teamwork abilities
• Excellent organisational skills
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyse complex information quickly
• Strong research and reporting abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently
• Computer literacy and information management skills

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Applicants with the following backgrounds may have an advantage:

• Knowledge of Ireland’s foreign policy priorities
• Understanding of the work of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Previous experience working with the United Nations or related organisations
• Experience in New York-based international organisations
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications

Employment Terms and Conditions

The successful candidate will be appointed on a:

• 23-month fixed-term contract

The position will be based at Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.

Additional employment conditions include:

• Salary paid locally through electronic transfer
• Applicant must have access to a US bank account
• Candidate responsible for personal tax compliance
• Candidate responsible for accommodation arrangements
• Candidate responsible for relocation costs
• Candidate responsible for local transport arrangements

The Mission will contribute toward health insurance costs during employment.

Working hours will average:

• 43¼ hours gross per week
• Approximately 37 hours net per week

Where additional working hours are required, time off in lieu may be provided.

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit a completed application form before:

Deadline: 5:00pm New York Time on 6 July 2026

Applications should be sent to:

PMUN.Jobs@dfa.ie

Email subject line:

FIRST NAME_SURNAME – Political Policy Advisor Position

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Selection Process

The recruitment process may include:

1. Shortlisting based on qualifications and experience
2. Competency-based interview
3. Video-conference interviews planned for July 2026
4. Skills assessment test
5. Second interview stage if required
6. Creation of a candidate panel depending on applicant quality

Data Protection and Security Clearance

All applicant information will be handled according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements.

Candidates considered for appointment may undergo security clearance procedures, including verification involving police authorities in countries where the applicant has lived.

If an applicant is unsuccessful, collected information will be destroyed according to applicable procedures.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations is committed to equal opportunity and encourages qualified candidates to apply.

Applicants should note that canvassing during the recruitment process will result in disqualification.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates interested in international diplomacy, United Nations affairs, and global policy work should prepare their application materials and submit them before the deadline.

This opportunity provides a valuable pathway for professionals seeking experience in international diplomacy, peacebuilding, multilateral cooperation, and global governance.

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