SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Overview

Lead and coordinate strategic initiatives for UNDSS security management.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, management, law, social sciences economics or a related field.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, international security, diplomacy, development, conflict resolution, law, humanitarian affairs, or related field is required.
• At least five years of management experience in the UN system or a comparable international organization is required, including effective and inclusive management in a multi-cultural setting and of cross-functional teams.
• Experience in project or programme management and administration, including implementation of inter-agency projects, is required.
• Experience providing strategic advice and direct support to a senior public official in relation to international humanitarian, development, human rights, or peace and security programmes is required.
• Experience in development and/or implementation of organizational strategic and change management initiatives in a large international organization is desirable.
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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 194,686 USD and 243,986 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 principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work of the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions.

This role provides is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and changing 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 Department has embarked on a series of reforms to reconceptualize security as an enabler of UN programmes within acceptable risk. New strategic initiatives focus on improving the quality of evidence-based planning and foresight scenarios required to strengthen UNDSS response in? the field and ensure continued programmatic delivery and support to UN organizations in complex emergencies and deteriorating security situations.

This position is located in the Strategic Planning Service (SPS) in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, based in New York. The Senior Programme Officer will coordinate and manage the overall implementation of the strategic initiatives. S/he will report to the Chief of the SPS.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Senior Programme Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Operationalize strategic plans through oversight, coordination, implementation and monitoring of activities intended to meet the urgent needs and enable UN delivery in changing security contexts, including: develop appropriate strategies for achieving goals; develop concrete detailed project plans for the strategic initiatives, and manage progress and reporting against the plan in line with UN Secretariat rules and regulations.
• Review critical activities and systems of selected UNDSS field locations against the Results Chain and support strengthening of foresight scenarios and contingency planning. Lead field missions, including the provision of support and guidance to Principal/Chief/Security Advisors.
• Develop the ability for the Department to anticipate needs and switch to increased operational tempo through effective quality assurance to ensure programme and security results are achieved.
• Ensure close engagement and coordination across the Department, with other UN Secretariat entities, Agencies, Funds and Programmes, as well as Member States on strategic initiatives.
• Support innovation through partnerships, including engagement with the Standby Partnership mechanism to leverage cross-cutting technology and subject matter expertise to improve UNDSS preparedness and response.
• Ensure implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines into strategic initiatives by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.
• Direct research, lessons learned, and best practice initiatives with regards to strategic initiatives and present information gathered from diverse sources.
• Coordinate policy development for the new strategic initiatives; manage a rectification programme to create and proliferate global UNDSS standards; review the assessments of issues and trends, prepare the evaluations or research activities and studies.
• Supervise preparation of various written outputs, e.g. donor reports, background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Manage and direct substantive support to consultative and other meetings, workshops, seminars, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Design and conduct training workshops on security risk management, scenario planning, Results Chain, and security integration into the country plans.

• Serve as an effective spokesperson and establish collaboration and partnerships with key officials and stakeholders at all levels inside and outside the organization on strategic initiatives.

  Competencies - Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Strong people and partnership management skills. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to security. Excellent drafting skills in English and strong attention to detail. 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.

• Planning& 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.

• 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.

• Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

  Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, management, law, social sciences economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, international security, diplomacy, development, conflict resolution, law, humanitarian affairs, or related field is required, at least five of which must be at the international level.

  Experience in project or programme management and administration, including implementation of inter-agency projects, is required.

  Experience providing strategic advice and direct support to a senior public official in relation to international humanitarian, development, human rights, or peace and security programmes is required.

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

  Experience in development and/or implementation of organizational strategic and change management initiatives in a large international organization is desirable.

  Experience in planning, design, implementation or review of risk mitigation measures related to operations impacted by insecurity and/or humanitarian assistance is desirable.

  Specialized experience in such areas as security programmes and analysis is desirable.

  A minimum of five years of field experience in the past ten years working within the UN Common System or comparable international organization or nongovernmental organization in a conflict, post-conflict or natural disaster setting is desirable.

  Languages Fluency in English (both oral and written) 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 - The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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.

• This temporary job opening is available for a period of 364 days. This position is funded through General Temporary Assistance funding. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii).

• Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.

• While this temporary job opening 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. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.

• 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.

• 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.

• For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.

• 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.

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