Programme officer (Arab States)

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable countries, communities and individuals increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human, economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations.

The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat lead by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat main functions are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships
This position is located in the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat (UNISDR) Regional Office for the Arab States. The Incumbent will report to the Regional Coordinator-Head of Office for the Arab States

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Provide technical assistance to the League of Arab States on issues relating to DRR as well as DRR for climate change adaptation;
- Develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects implementation;
- Monitor and analyze projects development and implementation progress (ie sub-regional deliverables of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR);
- Review relevant documents and reports;
- Identify problems and issues to be addressed, initiate corrective actions, bring relevant updates to the World Bank electronic database; liaise with relevant parties; ensure follow-up actions;
- Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources.
- Facilitate capacity building of key sub-regional organizations such as the Arab Academy of Science and others as well as national resource centers and academic institutions for the collection and analysis of regional data on hazards, vulnerabilities and disaster risk reduction measures including progress in implementing HFA.
- Facilitate greater awareness of the availability of these technical resources among climate change adaption practitioners;
- Coordinate policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies in the Arab region, including policy proposals development on disaster risk reduction for the Arab States Ministerial Conference’s consideration;
- Coordinate and support the development of enhanced interaction with the Gulf countries to promote the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction into relevant development programmes in support of HFA implementation in the sub-region and overall resource mobilization efforts;
- Coordinate activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc);
- Provide substantive backstopping to the organization of, Ministerial conferences, Regional Platform meetings, consultative and other meetings and Parliamentarian related forums to ensure consideration and references to disaster risk reduction as part of the agenda, support the identification of participants, the preparation of relevant working documents and presentations;
- Lead the establishment and strengthening of a national and regional monitoring and reporting mechanism, based on National Platforms as well as long term multi-stakeholder and multi-sector planning for disaster risk reduction;
- Facilitate information sharing, exchange of experience and practices on DRR through the establishment of regional knowledge networks for exchange of good practices and experiences throughout the Arab States and in cooperation with climate change adaptation community;
- Lead and/or participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc; Perform other duties as required; and.

The selected candidate will be responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Required Selection Criteria

Competencies

Professionalism
- Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to disaster risk reduction (in the field of political affairs, sustainable development policy and humanitarian action);
- Practical experience in programme management;
- Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems;
- Familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources; ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments give; ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.

Planning and Organizing
- Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Client Orientation
- Ability to identify clients’ needs and develop appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.

Teamwork
Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.

Communication
Effective communication (spoken, written and presentational) skills, including ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff including senior officials. Commitment to continuous learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field.

Education/Experience/Language

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

Experience
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area. Previous field experience desired.

Language
Fluency in written and spoken English is required; knowledge of another UN official language is an added advantage.