Regional Advisor for the Americas and the Caribbean

Senior Programme & Policy

Overview

Coordinate PDD implementation in the Americas and Caribbean regions

You have:

• An advanced degree (e.g. Master's or equivalent) preferably in International Development, Environment Studies, International Law, International Relations or related fields from an accredited academic institution is required.
• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor or equivalent) with an additional two years of relevant professional work experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.
• At least 7 years of progressively relevant professional experience in government, diplomatic or international civil service, with significant work experience in the area of migration, displacement, climate change and humanitarian affairs is required.
• Experience in supporting international conferences, policy dialogue and communication projects and in liaising with Diplomatic Missions is required.
• Experience in the areas of policy development, negotiations in a multilateral setting would be an asset.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Nansen Initiative process and the PDD work is a strong advantage.
• Experience in working with Central American, South American and Caribbean countries is highly preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages is highly desirable.

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-11 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-11 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS is host to several projects, including the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), a State-led initiative to follow up on the work started by the Nansen Initiative on cross-border disaster-displacement and to implement the recommendations of the Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda. The overall objective of PDD is:

To support States and other stakeholders to strengthen the protection of persons displaced across borders in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change, and to prevent or reduce disaster displacement risks in countries of origin.

To work towards this objective, the Steering Group of the PDD have set the following four strategic priorities based on the recommendations of the Protection Agenda for the period 2019-2023:

1. Support integrated implementation of global policy frameworks on human mobility, climate change action and disaster risk reduction that are relevant for disaster displaced persons;
2. Promote policy and normative development to address gaps in the protection of persons at risk of displacement or displaced across borders;
3. Facilitate exchange of knowledge and strengthen capacity at the national and regional levels to implement effective practices and instruments that can prevent, reduce and address disaster displacement;
4. Strengthen evidence and data on disaster displacement and its impacts.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the PDD Secretariat, based in Geneva, Switzerland, The PDD Regional Advisor for the Americas and the Caribbean will coordinate and support the implementation of the Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda and the PDD Strategy and Workplan 2024-2030 in the Americas and the Caribbean, including accompanying and supporting coordination and implementation of PDD activities funded by other stakeholders and donors in these regions.

The Regional Advisor will be responsible for the following:

• Represent the PDD secretariat as the follow-up to the Nansen Initiative in the Americas and the Caribbean.
• Provide technical advisory and support upon request by Governments in the regions, and ensure wide dissemination of the Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda.
• Act as the PDD focal point in the Americas and the Caribbean for the PDD Governance structure (Steering Group, Advisory Committee, Group of Friends and Secretariat).
• When applicable, represent the PDD in seminars, workshops, conferences, and academic events, in close coordination with the Head of the PDD Secretariat such as during the upcoming Cartagena+ 40 process, Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean and regional UNFCCC Climate Weeks.
• Provide regional planning and coordination support towards the implementation of a PDD project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development (Norad) titled Action and Support to Avert, Minimize and Address Displacement Related to the Adverse Effects of Climate Change (PAMAD).
• Provide guidance and support to establish and maintain permanent contact with Government bodies, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions and Academia in the Americas and the Caribbean.
• Identify opportunities for, and prepare the implementation of activities across the strategic priorities of the PDD in the Americas and the Caribbean.
• Work together with the Regional Conference for Migration (RCM) and the South American Conference on Migration (SACM) to support implementation and dissemination of the Regional Guidelines on cross-border disaster-displacement.
• Coordinate the implementation and dissemination of the UNDRR ‘Words into Action’ Guidelines on disaster displacement and the integration of disaster displacement considerations into disaster risk reduction policy at national and regional level through workshops, piloting the Guidelines and technical support, especially by supporting regional efforts by the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC) and Comité Andino para la Prevención y Atención de Desastres (CAPRADE).

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The personnel will ensure the following:

• The development and implementation of a work plan for PDD engagement in the Americas and the Caribbean in 2024.
• Increased awareness and knowledge of the Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda and the work of the PDD in the Americas and the Caribbean.
• Advising the PDD to better understand the legal gaps and policy challenges in the Americas and the Caribbean regarding cross-border displacement linked to the adverse effects of climate change.
• Development and implementation of a Plan of Action for PDD’s engagement in the Cartagena+ 40 process and the Cartagena+ 40 Summit in 2024.

All activities shall be conducted in close coordination with, and under the technical supervision of the Head of the PDD Secretariat and the PDD Secretariat that is hosted by UNOPS.

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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An advanced degree (e.g. Master's or equivalent) preferably in International Development, Environment Studies, International Law, International Relations or Political Science or related fields from an accredited academic institution is required.
• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor or equivalent) with an additional two years of relevant professional work experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of progressively relevant professional experience in government, diplomatic or international civil service, with significant work experience in the area of migration, displacement, climate change and humanitarian affairs is required.
• Experience in supporting international conferences, policy dialogue and communication projects and in liaising with Diplomatic Missions is required.
• Experience in the areas of policy development, negotiations in a multilateral setting would be an asset.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Nansen Initiative process and the PDD work is a strong advantage.
• Experience in working with Central American, South American and Caribbean countries is highly preferred.

Languages

• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages is highly desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: ICS-11 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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