Closing date:

Programme Officer, Partnerships, P4 (Temporary Job Opening), Geneva

City/location:
Geneva, Switzerland
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

This job posting has closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

This temporary position is located in the UNDRR Headquarters in Geneva. The incumbent directly reports to the Deputy Chief of Office and second reporting line is the Head of the Intergovernmental Processes, Inter-agency Cooperation and Partnerships Branch.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

Contributes to implement UNDRR partnership engagement strategy. Coordinates with the regional offices to support partnership engagement at the regional and national level, in line with the overall UNDRR partnership engagement strategy; collaborates closely with the programme management officer responsible for stakeholder’s engagement in each regional office and provide substantive support as required; ensures the consolidation of feedback from regional offices and alignment of initiatives

Within the context of the partnership engagement strategy, develops frameworks and workplans for targeted stakeholders including Parliamentarians, Youth, Private Sector and the comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism in collaboration with the regional offices, for the review of the Chief of Branch and UNDRR senior management. Views and proposed the establishment of new partnerships based on UNDRR priorities identified in the organization’s strategic frameworks, workplans and overall mandate.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Branch, effectively engages the private sector as a key partner in disaster risk reduction. Supports ARISE to increase risk-sensitive business investments and foster risk-sensitive business practices globally. Supports the organization of ARISE networks’ established mechanisms: board, to identify clear deliverables and metrics to measure the achievements of private sector entities against their commitment in disaster risk reduction; - leaders calls to ensure sharing of experiences, enhance the implementation of the ARISE workplan and facilitates the organization of the ARISE’s Annual General Meetings. Collaborates closely with the Regional Offices to establish and support regional and national private sector networks for disaster risk reduction. Liaises with GETI to ensure the training of key stakeholders from the private sector on disaster risk reduction.

Effectively engages civil society networks and community organizations in disaster risk reduction through the Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism and promotes their participation to the national, regional and international policy processes related to disaster risk reduction and linked to sustainable development and climate action.

Supports and promotes the engagement of Parliamentarians to ensure the Sendai Framework is recognized and included in national legislations; effectively engages parliamentarians to promote disaster risk-sensitive legislation and funding allocations for disaster risk-sensitives investments. Provides substantive support to parliamentarians in the form of policy briefs, tool kits and guidance on minimum standards related to disaster risk reduction to leverage support for the development of laws, regulations, policies and budget for effective and accountable disaster risk reduction. Develops indicators of success for the inclusion of disaster risk reduction into national debates and legislations.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Branch, contributes to the planning and carries out the work plan under his/her responsibility, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery; ensures that the outputs produced by the Unit meet high-quality standards and support relevant UNDRR mandates. Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision, including staff members in geographically dispersed locations. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries.

Carries out any other duties requested by the Chief of Branch.

Competencies

Professionalism

Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to disaster risk. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to establish and foster successful partnerships and collaborations. Ability to identify strategic opportunities for achieving the agenda of the Department. 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.

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 for 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, management, economics, social sciences, law or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of relevant progressively responsible experience in project or programme management is required.

Experience in building strategic alliances and partnerships and in disaster risk reduction is required.

International work experience is required.

At least 1 year experience working in intergovernmental and/or inter-agency processes is desirable.

Experience in the economic and financial dimension of disaster risk reduction and/or climate risk is desirable.

Experience in engaging and building partnership with stakeholders (e.g. youth, parliamentarism, private sector) in disaster risk reduction is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is desirable. 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 with a contract duration of 364 days.

This position is advertised for the replacement of the current incumbent who is currently on temporary assignment. The appointment duration is limited to the assignment of the incumbent.

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.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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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