Senior Administrative Officer (Chief of Section)

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 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 Programme Planning and Management Section of United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) within the Office of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) in New York. The Chief of Programme Planning and Management Section reports to the Deputy Director of UNMAS.

Established in 1997, UNMAS works to eliminate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices by coordinating United Nations mine action, leading operational responses at the country level, and supporting the development of standards, policies and norms. As a specialized service of the United Nations located within the Department of Peace Operations, UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council. UNMAS also responds to specific requests for support from the UN Secretary-General or designated official.

For more information on UNMAS, please visit www.mineaction.org/unmas

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Chief of Section/Unit will be responsible for the following.

- Oversees and manages the design, planning, implementation, support and oversight of mine action field programmes, initiatives and contingency plans aimed at eliminating the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and unsafe ammunition stockpiles in peace operations, humanitarian emergencies and development-related activities. Develops programme objectives, designs, reviews and approves programme plans and budgets, sets performance indicators, and determines the most efficient and cost-effective means of delivering mine action programmes.

- Monitors and maintains oversight of implementation progress and effectiveness of field programmes; and develops new approaches and policies to maintain and improve the quality, responsiveness and effectiveness of operations and ensures compliance with relevant regulations, international standards and Organizational policies.

- Ensures the integration of mine action programmes with the political strategies of United Nations peace operations and ensures implementation in line with the United Nations Mine Action Strategy. Ensures alignment of mine action programmes in non-peace operation settings with the priorities of the United Nations humanitarian and development agencies, funds and programmes and national authorities. Ensures field programmes are implemented in partnership with relevant regional organisations, bilateral and NGO partners to ensure an effective response to the global landmine and ERW problem.

- Coordinates and Manages a multidisciplinary team capable of conducting inter-agency, assessment missions and technical surveys to mine and ERW-affected regions and areas of complex emergencies; analysing the extent and nature of the landmine or ERW threat; assessing the available local capacity to address the threat, develop operational priorities and recommend the appropriate level of assistance; providing expert technical advice, information, research and assistance on landmine and ERW clearance technology, equipment and techniques; supporting field project execution and monitoring and evaluating field project implementation.

- Plays a leading role in the development of the International Mine Action Standards and technical notes for mine action and supports the development of the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines.

- Develops strategies for assessing, prioritizing and budgeting training needs within mine action programmes, plans and monitors training activities and evaluates the impact and cost effectiveness of training programmes. Ensures that training plans and budgets for mine action programmes in peace operations align with the policies and guidelines on training for peace operations personnel.

- Identifies best practices for mine action operations and establishes mechanism for ensuring that best practices are captured within UNMAS and integrated into future operations.

- Plans, supervises and organizes the work of the Programme Support Section, develops Section objectives, work plans and performance measures; manages human resources; contributes to UNMAS budget proposals. Implements relevant recommendations from oversight bodies, including OIOS and Board of Auditors.

Competencies •PROFESSIONALISM: Sound knowledge of, and exposure to a range of mine action issues, including related programmatic, political, social and economic dimensions. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

•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.

•PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

•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.

•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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, political, social or engineering sciences or related fields. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in Programme Management (PMP/PRINCE2) is desirable. Qualification in one or more technical disciplines related to mine action is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the design, preparation of statements of work, execution and oversight of programmes in international humanitarian, development or peacekeeping operations is required. Minimum of five years of management experience in mine action field programmes is required. Three years experience in senior management positions in field operations in conflict-affected settings is required Experience at an international organization headquarters 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 another UN official language is an advantage.

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

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available until 15 November 2021. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

  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.