Chief of Satff

Senior Leadership

Overview

Lead and coordinate the Office of the Quartet's operations and strategies.

You have:

• MA Degree preferably in international relations, development, economics, political science, social studies or other relevant academic discipline is required.
• BA degree in relevant field might be accepted with additional two years of experience.
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in organizational management, coordination, communication and/or diplomacy and international development is required.
• Management experience in knowledge-based and/or politically international organizations is desired.
• Proven track record of effective management experience in complex organizations is an advantage.
• Experience in the region and/or regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is an advantage.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Strong leadership: Excellent management, people and listening skills, high sense of professionalism and work commitment.
• Highly skilled in stakeholder management: Customer-orientation and sound judgment; ability to consistently demonstrate a professional manner in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally to the organisation.

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Office of the Quartet is seeking to recruit a Chief of Staff (CoS). The CoS reports to the HoM and works in close coordination with the Deputy Head of Mission (DHoM) and the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) to implement the OQ’s agenda

Functional Responsibilities

The Chief of Staff is a senior position with a wide range of high-level policy, representation, and management responsibilities. As a key member of the Management Team, the CoS will report to the HoM and will:

• Act as an advisor to the Head and Deputy Head of Mission for the day-to-day functioning of the OQ operations team;
• Convene and act as secretariat for the Operations Management Group (comprised of the HoM, DHoM, DFO and other staff members as relevant), including developing agendas, preparing for meetings, advising senior management and ensuring tracking and implementation of decisions reached;
• Maintain overall ownership of the OQ’s multi-annual strategy, including leading reviews and updates, managing and improving reporting processes, developing and reporting on the logframe, development of workplans as needed and undertaking the necessary external and internal consultations;
• Lead in preparing and coordinating all office wide reports, including the OQ’s bi-annual report to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee Meeting (AHLC) and those disseminated to OQ donors and key stakeholders;
• Coordinate the OQ’s risk management process, including convening quarterly Strategy Risk Committee meetings and maintaining the OQ’s risk register;
• Work with Directors in ensuring effective coordination among teams and sectors;
• Provide Oversight of the progress and implementation of the OQ Strategy;
• Oversee and support the development and quality control for briefing materials, publications and reports, as necessary;
• Advise the HoM on issues related to OQ internal planing, including financial resources.
• Support the HoM, in collaboration of the DFO, in his/her regular engagement withto ensure the smooth functioning and administration and finance components of the office, including seeking out ways to improve cooperation;
• Liaise with international donor and diplomatic community, PA and GoI on OQ strategy and related matters;
• Lead the OQ’s preparation for Quartet Members & Donors meetings and Heads of Mission meetings;
• Coordinate OQ fund-raising efforts with international community; including acting as a key point of contact for donors, leading the development of funding proposals, and facilitating the finalization of funding agreements, working closely with the DFO;
• Ensure effective functioning of coherent internal and external communications structures and systems;
• Advise HoM and DHoM in determining and addressing strategic staffing needs and opportunities based on OQs strategic objectives;
• support the DFO to deal with sensitive personnel, HRand management issues;
• Together with the DFO ensure teams and staff members follow the staff handbook and related procedures, and internal documents are kept up to date and relevant.
• Represents the OQ in meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

The CoS will be responsible for the following deliverables:

• Effective day-to-day internal coordination of the Office;
• Pro-active and hands-on oversight that promotes timely and effective planning and implementation of the OQ Strategy
• High quality and fit-for-purpose briefing materials, publications and monitoring and evaluation reports;
• Continuous and pro-active political and policy advice to HoM and DHoM including on stakeholder management;
• Effective representation and outreach of OQ towards GoI, PA, and the international community.

All these deliverables are to be reached in close coordination and cooperation with the HoM, DHOM , DFO and wider OQ team.

The work is of a highly confidential nature and the CoS must maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

MA Degree preferably in international relations, development, economics, political science, social studies or other relevant academic discipline is required.BA degree in relevent field might be accepted with additional two years of experience.

Work Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in organizational management, coordination, communication and/or diplomacy and international development is required.

  • Management experience in knowledge-based and/or politically international organizations is desired
  • Proven track record of effective management experience in complex organizations is an advantage.
  • Experience in the region and/or regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is an advantage

  organization Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership: Excellent management, people and listening skills, high sense of professionalism and work commitment.

  • Highly skilled in stakeholder management: Customer-orientation and sound judgment; ability to consistently demonstrate a professional manner in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally to the organisation.
  • Context: Strong political awareness and analysis, and excellent negotiation skills.
  • Excellent communication skills: Strong verbal and writing ability; ability to create common ground among a variety of stakeholders; skilled in creating knowledge products such as policy briefs, papers, guidance notes and other pieces directed at multiple audiences.
  • Strong team player: Ability to work independently and in teams; ability to interact with high-level individuals across a range of organisations; flexible as tasks and priorities shift; respect and proven ability to work and strive in a multicultural environment.
  • High stress-tolerance level: ability to work under tight deadlines, juggling multiple competing tasks and prioritising demands from both senior management and policy level.
  • Other: Demonstrated competence with using standard office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).

  Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

The contract for this position will be issued by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on behalf of its Client the Office of Quartet pursuant to an agreement between both parties whereby the successful candidate's contractual rights and responsibilities will be managed by the Office of Quartet (OQ) office and not by UNOPS. Contract type: International Individual Contract IICA

Contract level: ICS 11/ IICA 3 Contract duration: 4 months, with the intention for extension

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org