Chief of Branch, Advocacy and Partnerships Branch

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 242,484 USD and 305,990 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Advocacy and Partnerships Branch of the Division for Policy, Monitoring and Global Advocacy of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA). The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa is responsible for providing integrated advice, promoting coherence, monitoring the implementation of commitments and coordinating global advocacy in support of Africa’s development. More information on the Office can be found on the website https://www.un.org/osaa/

The Chief of Branch reports to the Director.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Programme planning, implementation and monitoring - Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Branch under his/her responsibility through the preparation and implementation of a logical framework that follows a results-based management approach. - Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Branch under his/her supervision, with a view to achieving the strategic goals and operational objectives reflected in the Office’s Strategic Agenda and multi-year workplan, and supervises the preparation of the Branch’s individual and team annual workplans. - Oversees the delivery of outputs and the management of activities undertaken by the Branch, monitors regularly their implementation and ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, including through the adoption of corrective or mitigation measures when appropriate. Undertakes or oversees the programmatic tasks necessary for the functioning of the Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, and preparation of inputs for the Office’s results-based budgeting. - Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Division, determining priorities based on their alignment to the Office’s Strategic Agenda, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. - Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch, as well as the work undertaken in the different areas of his/her responsibility both within the Division and Office, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. - Under the guidance of the Under-Secretary-General and the supervision of the Director, leads the implementation of the Office’s Partnership and Technical Cooperation Strategy in particular by facilitating OSAA’s engagement with UN entities and African Union institutions and other stakeholders in the areas of focus of its Strategic Agenda and supporting joint planning exercises undertaken by the different OSAA teams. - Co-ordinates the work carried out with other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system through the Inter-Departmental Task Force for African Affairs (IDTFAA), oversees the preparation and implementation of the taskforce’s programme of work, facilitates coordination and exchanges with the Regional Collaborative Platform for Africa and other UN coordination mechanisms, as needed, and provides support to the Under-Secretary-General in the delivery of the Office’s coordination mandate. - Under the guidance of the Under-Secretary-General and the supervision of the Director, leads the implementation of the Office’s advocacy function. In particular, oversees the preparation of advocacy products to amplify the policy proposals developed by the Office within the framework of its Strategic Agenda; coordinates support provided by the Office to intergovernmental processes in line with its Strategic Agenda, and manages and leverages existing knowledge created by the Office or by other UN entities and partners to create value chains that support African countries in advancing toward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. - Ensures that the outputs produced by the Branch maintain high-quality standards; that written products are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. - Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. - Reports to intergovernmental bodies on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.

Human resources - Manages the human resources of his/her Branch, including by conducting regular functional analyses and identifying competency gaps, reviewing and preparing, as applicable, the job descriptions for the staff under his/her supervision and participating in the recruitment of staff, taking due account of geographical balance and gender parity objectives. - Undertakes and oversees the evaluation of staff performance (PAS) through transparent, balanced and fair accountability frameworks that are in line with the Office’s workplan, and ensures that all staff under his or her supervision is evaluated according to the same standards. - Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision, in particular through the preparation of capacity building programmes.

Leadership and compliance - Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries. - Leads and supervises the delivery of advocacy and partnership products. Manages the substantive preparation, provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by staff under his/her supervision and provides guidance for staff to improve their delivery. - Coaches staff members under his or her responsibility, supports them in the development of their career objectives and empowers them by providing them with autonomy to undertake their responsibility under clear accountability frameworks. - Leads by example, holds staff accountable and ensures that they abide by UN rules and regulations and the Office’s applicable guidance and Standard Operational Procedures.

Representation - Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. - Represents the Office and the Division at international, regional or national meetings as delegated by the Under-Secretary-General and the Director, respectively.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable

Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, economy, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

PhD in business or public administration, economy, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related area is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in economic analysis, policy analysis, development, or related fields, of which at least 10 years leading teams, is required.

Experience working on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda or Agenda 2063 is required.

Experience working on key issues for Africa’s development, such as financing for development, climate action and energy, or the interlinkages of peace and development, inter alia, is required.

Experience in negotiating with different stakeholders and achieving joint positions is required.

Experience transposing strategic goals to programmes and projects through a logical framework as well as monitoring the implementation of a results-based management system is required.

Experience in the communications and advocacy fields, including the design and implementation of advocacy products and campaigns is desirable.

Experience in the establishment and management of partnerships is desirable

Experience assessing and evaluating the implementation of programmes and policies is desirable.

Experience in the management of data for decision-making purposes is desirable.

Experience in data analysis for the production of evidence-based knowledge products is desirable.

Publications that assess specific conditions that affect African countries’ development, peace and stability, from a national, regional or sub-regional perspective, or that propose policy recommendations to address identified challenges in the development of Africa are desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 January 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.