DIRECTOR

Contract

This is a D-2 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 16 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 270,944 USD and 326,557 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 The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities across the world, including in the most complex and challenging environments.

This role provides a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and evolving organization. For more information on the Department, and how we make an impact on the world in enabling the achievement of SDGs, visit: https://www.un.org/undss/

The post is in the Division of Regional Operations, which serves as the focal point for security operations for the field duty stations, providing primary operational and technical support, and managing security focal points in the operational desks to determine appropriate security support to deliver UN results on the ground. The Director reports directly to the Under-Secretary-General (USG).

Responsibilities Under the general direction of the USG, the Director is responsible for the strategic management of security programming in the field and associated HQ support, overseeing functions relevant to supporting security operations, including emergency response and security crisis management, operational resilience of security support provided by UNDSS, threat and risk analysis, and providing advice on related matters to the USG. She/he:

- Contributes to the overall management of the Department's activities, operations, and programmes and the formulation of the Department's strategies and policies, as part of the Under-Secretary-General’s senior management team.

- Advises the USG on strategic matters relating to security operations, and on all operational and security crisis management matters.

- Represents UNDSS in the UN Emergency Directors Group and proactively seeks solutions for security as an enabler of UN goals, results, and objectives.

- Serves as a trusted, reliable, and responsive advisor for counterparts across the UN system including designated officials for security.

- Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Division, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.

- Directs/manages UNDSS operational desks which support security arrangements in over 150 countries as well as the Department’s analytical processes and personnel; directs the management of the cadre of security advisors and security coordination officers in field locations; ensures effective and proactive performance management of all staff within the Division; deploys staff members to the field as required to support Designated Officials.

- Manages the process of 24-hour operational communications into and from the Department; coordinates and oversees responses to all cases of hostage-taking; monitors and maintains an overview of security and crisis management on a world-wide basis; directs the response to critical issues and incidents that arise.

- Oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance, timely recruitment of diverse and effective staff for the Division (taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values).

- Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and coordinates work both within the Division and Department, and with other organisations of the UN System and Member States, as appropriate; coordinates and oversees the preparation of reports on programmatic/substantive issues; participates in various committees, and prepares documents on policy issues; ensures that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data, and that all outputs produced by the Division meet required standards.

- Provides leadership on the development and implementation of innovative or change management initiatives.

- Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive issues; represents the Organization and/or the Division at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences, and in the context of the Saving Lives Together framework; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

- Performs other assignments as required by the Under-Secretary-General.

Competencies Professionalism: Comprehensive knowledge of the field of security in the context of the United Nations or similar international organization or multilateral initiative, including enabling operations in humanitarian emergency settings. Knowledge and experience of forming effective partnerships both within one’s organization and externally. Knowledge of results-based planning and financial, human resource and business performance; demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate numerous activities/operations at the same time; excellent negotiation skills; ability to make difficult decisions under pressure and establish effective working relationships; seeks and promotes innovation as relevant to further strengthen departmental objectives; Fosters corporate adaptability and evolution in pursuit of strategic initiatives; and leads, under authority of USG, change management processes in transparent, efficient and inclusive ways; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and possesses strong communication skills; 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.

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 improvement; 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.

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.

Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in security administration, public administration, political or social science, international relations, criminal justice, law, or related area. 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 Over 15 years of progressively responsible experience in security management and operations is required with a minimum of 5 years of experience at the international level.

At least 5 years of senior management experience in security is required, including in the context of security as an enabler of operations and programmes.

At least 5 years of management experience in the UN system or comparable international organization or multilateral context is required, including effective and inclusive management in a multi-cultural setting and of cross-functional teams.

At least 5 years of experience in leading, or directly advising senior leaders on, crisis management and/or emergency management is required.

Experience in leading change management and/or implementation of organizational development initiatives in an international organization is desirable.

At least 5 years of experience working in field operations in a conflict, post-conflict or humanitarian emergency setting is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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

Special Notice 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. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is taking efforts to improve gender parity, including full implementation of the UN-wide, and Departmental Gender Strategies. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in the security and operations field.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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

The selection process for this job opening will be conducted pursuant to ST/AI/2010/3/Rev.1 on the "Staff Selection System" and include the compliance review body described in staff rule 4.15.

The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook English

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.