Division of Member Parliaments and External Relations (MPER)
Organizational context:
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments, working to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development through parliamentary dialogue, diplomacy and capacity building.
The IPU Division of Member Parliaments and External Relations (MPER) is responsible for the organization of the two annual Assemblies of the IPU and supports the IPU’s statutory bodies, while working to enhance relations with Member Parliaments. It also aims to enhance the parliamentary dimension of international cooperation, providing a parliamentary perspective to the work of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, and supporting multi-stakeholder engagement to advance peaceful and inclusive societies.
Main duties and responsibilities:
The Political Affairs and Conference Services Associate Officer will work under the direct supervision of the MPER Conference Services and Political Affairs Officers, and report to the MPER Director. The Political Affairs and Conference Services Associate Officer will provide substantive, organizational and administrative support in the implementation of the Division’s programme of work.
This will include the following:
- Assist in the preparation and delivery of IPU events, including IPU Assemblies, Information Seminars, Parliamentary Meetings at the UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs), Parliamentary Conferences on Interfaith Dialogue, and related activities as required. Responsibilities include preparing administrative documentation for staff and participants; responding to organizational and logistical queries from Member Parliaments and other stakeholders; preparing travel authorization forms and liaising with the IPU’s designated travel agency; drafting contracts for external collaborators supporting such events; coordinating meeting room reservations ahead of Assemblies; and providing overall organizational support.
- Contribute to the Division’s engagement with Member Parliaments, geopolitical groups, permanent observers and other stakeholders by assisting in the drafting and dispatching of official and courtesy correspondence in English and French, including letters of congratulations, thank-you letters, responses to requests from Member Parliaments, and other correspondence, as required.
- Support meetings involving IPU leadership through the preparation of briefing notes, speaking points, notes for the file, speeches and official correspondence, as required.
- Act as the overall focal point for the MPER database on Member Parliament engagement, while supporting and advancing efforts to deepen in-house knowledge of Member Parliaments in order to enhance stakeholder engagement, strengthen relations, and facilitate the identification and sharing of parliamentary good practices.
- Conduct research on action taken in follow-up to IPU resolutions and other decisions and good practices by Member Parliaments.
- Assist with the monitoring of political, parliamentary and multilateral developments relevant to the work of the Division and IPU bodies, and provide research and analytical support on thematic and regional issues. Contribute to IPU parliamentary diplomacy initiatives through the preparation of background research, briefing materials and analytical notes.
- Undertake any other duties assigned by the MPER Director and the Political Affairs and Conference Services Officers, as required.
The work involves frequent interaction with the following:
- Parliamentarians, Secretaries General of parliament, parliamentary staff;
- Members of the IPU Secretariat;
- External partners and institutions, including the United Nations.
Competencies:
- Flexibility and reliability: Ability to work effectively within a small and dynamic team in a collaborative, methodical and polyvalent manner, including a readiness to contribute across operational tasks as needed.
- Professionalism: Knowledge of parliamentary systems; proven ability to produce high-quality reports and papers; ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Planning and organizing: Proven ability to plan, organize and prioritize meetings and work, ensuring that these are consistent with the overall Strategy of the IPU.
- Communication: Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; ability to prepare documents that are clear, concise and meaningful.
- Technological awareness: Advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, including the ability to produce compelling presentations and maintain dynamic databases relating to Member Parliament engagement.
- Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment; team spirit; adaptability to varying working environments and conditions; ability to work independently.
- Judgment/decision-making: Good political judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact.
Qualifications:
- Advanced university degree in international relations, political science, law or a related field.
- At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in an international organization, parliament, public institution or related environment.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
- Excellent oral and written command of English and French. Knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.
- Experience supporting international meetings, conferences or diplomatic events would be an asset.
- Knowledge of IPU procedures and operations and/or experience in another inter parliamentary setting would be a distinct advantage.
Compensation:
The Inter-Parliamentary Union offers an attractive salary and benefits package, comparable to that of other international organizations headquartered in Geneva, commensurate with education and experience.
Indicative annual net salary at the P2 level (entry level, net of tax):
USD 56’046 at single rate (plus allowance for primary dependants if applicable).
Post adjustment:
A post adjustment for Geneva will be paid in addition to the above amount taking into account the exchange rates established by the International Civil Service Commission (website: http://icsc.un.org/). This rate stands at 90,7% for May 2026.
Employment policy:
This position will be filled through an international recruitment process that will be open to internal and external applicants.
The IPU is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
English and French are the two working languages of the IPU. From among equally qualified candidates, priority will be given to the applicants from the under-represented regions at the IPU. There will be a probation period of nine months.
This position will be based in Geneva and will require frequent travelling. It will be for an initial period of two years, renewable depending on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
