Chief of Executive Office, P-5, Temporary Job Opening (TJO)

TJO 15/02

United Nations Core Values:

Integrity ● Professionalism ● Respect for diversity

Org. Setting And Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG), UNISDR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empowers people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organisation of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

This position is located in the Executive Office of the UNISDR Secretariat in Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Director.

The Chief will provide timely analysis and strategic/policy guidance to the UNISDR SRSG, Director and Senior Leadership Group on resource management, organizational efficiencies and operational issues; will manage and support the coordination of work planning, programming, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), resource management (HR, budget & finance, administration, conference services), operational coordination and reporting processes of the UNISDR secretariat; and will supervise the various units and staff that comprise the Executive Office (i.e. Administration Unit, Human Resources Unit, Budget & Finance Unit, Conference Services Unit and M&E and Operational Support Unit).

Summary of main duties

Under the direct supervision of the Director the incumbent:

Planning, monitoring and evaluation:

• Manages and coordinates the results-based management (RBM), work planning, programming, monitoring & evaluation, operational support and reporting processes of the UNISDR Secretariat.

• Oversees the management of resources and reporting on funds, as well as the ongoing monitoring and analysis of RBM and delivery, and provides regular updates to the Senior Leadership Group (SLG) of which he/she is a member, UNISDR programme monitoring/management committees and UNISDR Donor and Support Group Meetings.

• Provides policy advice and technical support to senior management on evaluation issues; establishes mechanisms to monitor organizational evaluation requirements and serves as the focal point for external evaluations and audits.

Finance and Administration oversight:

• Supervises and oversees the work of the different units and staff that comprise the Executive Office; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit/ Section; coordinates programmatic/ administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Executive Office.

• Prepares timely analysis, provides policy guidance to the SRSG, Director and the SLG (on budgeting, financial and human resources, general administration, conference/event management and management information issues and practices), and develops forward-looking strategic proposals on conceptual strategy development and implementation of the UNISDR Strategic Framework , biennial work programme, and relevant policies and procedures.

• Guides and supports the Director in the development and implementation of the Administrative, HR financial, operational and M&E framework.

•Ensures coordination and coherence of approaches to service delivery and promotes quality assurance of the services provided by the Executive Office. Operational project management support.

• Provides guidance to the secretariat on policies and standard operating procedures related to strategic planning, programme, project and resource management, and RBMS.

•Oversees programming-related processes; chairs/is a member to the UNISDR Grants Committee and assists the Director in convening the Programme and Finance Committee; advises project managers on the formulation, appraisal and implementation of projects with the aim of enhancing capacity and improving delivery of results.

• Actively engages with peers to solicit best practices in resource and programme management and suggests modalities for immediate replication to the UNISDR work setting.

• Coordinates inputs of the Executive Office to interim, annual and biennial reports. Is a member of the Strategic Leadership Group.

• Participates in the UNISDR Senior Leadership Group and Programme and Finance Committee; represents UNISDR in task forces and at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on resource management and related partnership initiatives/ issues; participates in international, regional or national meetings and holding discussions with representatives of other institutions on behalf of the Director regarding the UNISDR Strategic Framework and biennial work programme.

• Performs any other duties requested by the Director or the SRSG.

Competencies

Core 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 technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation.
-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.
-Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

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.

Managerial Competencies:

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.

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.

Qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business, public administration, finance, economics, law, development, international relations or related area. 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 programme management and development, administration, budget, finance or related field.
 

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United nations Secretariat. For the post advertised fluency in oral and written English is required.
 

Additional comments

Please indicate the percentage of the working period (e.g. 30%, 70%, etc) if:
- you worked and studied at the same time,
- you worked part-time,
- you had two different jobs at the same time.