CHIEF OF BRANCH, PROGRAMME

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UNDRR - United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

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Application deadline 3 years ago: Friday 3 Jul 2020 at 23:59 UTC

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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. More about D-1 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting The position is located in the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Geneva and oversees the work related to the support and monitoring of the implementation of the Sendai framework. The Chief of Branch reports to the Director of UNDRR, under the overall guidance of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Responsibilities The incumbent is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the Branch under his/her supervision. S/he oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Branch, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. In particular s/he: •Is responsible for drafting the work programme of the Branch, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery, for final review and approval by the Director. Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Branch under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. Ensures that the outputs produced by the Branch maintain high-quality standards; that reports 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. •Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies, as appropriate. Develops the concept for the biennial Global Assessment Report (GAR) on Disaster Risk Reduction and GAR Special Reports and oversees its design and production to the highest possible standards, including through the development of online resources and through appropriate institutional partnerships providing substantive contributions to the GAR. Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Organizes periodic meetings of the GAR Advisory Board, to review and validate the concept paper, chapter outlines and drafts of the GAR reports under preparation. Coordinates the interface between UNDRR and the Scientific and Technology Advisory Group (STAG) through regular meetings and communication to ensure strategic interface and engagement with the science and technology community. •Is responsible for supervising the functioning and further development of the monitoring system to track the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Leads the development of metrics and indicators to monitor progress against the seven targets of the Sendai Framework. Responsible for preparing the presentation of the GAR findings to the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction and other relevant regional, national and thematic fora. •Oversees the roll out of the strategic approach to capacity development and relevant training activities to support the implementation and monitoring of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Provides substantive guidance and supervision to the Chief of Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) in the implementation of the capacity development strategy, including by engaging with key partners in this area. •Ensures the further development and operationalisation of the Global Risk Assessment Framework and the global disaster loss data reporting system in collaboration with relevant partners. Provides strategic guidance and oversees the work of the GRAF secretariat and the organization of GRAF Steering Committee and working group meetings. •Participates in international, regional or national meetings to scope key areas of work, in collaboration with UNDRR regional offices and other partners; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. •Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision, including staff in geographically dispersed locations. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries. •Actively contributes to mobilizing financial resources and in-kind resources from donors and partners to carry out the work programme of the Branch and of UNDRR. •Contributes to the overall management of UNDRR through participation in the Extended Management Team and to other internal committees, as requested. Represents the Special Representative of the Secretary General or the Director at international, regional or national meetings, as requested. 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. Expertise in disaster risk reduction. 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. •Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. •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. •Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. •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. Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, natural and environmental sciences, international relations, public administration, public policy, social policy, social development, community development, risk management or other related disciplines is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in international programme/project management, capacity development and building strategic alliances and partnerships is required. Experience in disaster risk reduction is required. Experience in monitoring systems and dealing with data and statistical information is desirable. Experience is supervising geographically dispersed teams is desirable. Five years of experience in overseeing the production of substantive publications and/or intergovernmental reports is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and knowledge of French are required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice This vacancy is subject to availability of funding and post. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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. 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.

Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: careers.un.org