Programme officer (training coordinator), P4

Extended from 14 May 2011

Vacancy ISDR/T/07/2011

United Nations Core Values: - Integrity - Professionalism - Respect for diversity

The position is located in the secretariat of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) office in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Office, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following areas of work:

• Over see the Global Education and Training Institute for disaster risk reduction.

• Develop, implement and evaluate the capacity building and training programme of the office focusing on urban and climate change risks; monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; develop partnerships; liaise with relevant parties; ensure follow-up actions.

• Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources related to capacity building, local governments role in building resilience, urban and climate change risks,

• Related to the capacity building programme of the office, generate survey initiatives; review, analyse and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions.

• Organise and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, related to the subject area including review and analysis of issues and trends.

• Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.

• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; plan and conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; undertakes field missions and oversees consultants.

• 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.).

• Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of disaster risk reduction, capacity development and training, urban and climate risk management approach. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• 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.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services and training are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology for capacity development, on-line training and knowledge management; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Managerial Competencies

• 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; checksassumptions against facts; determines 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 administration, management, 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

Experience:

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area.

Language:

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other languages (especially East Asia languages) is an asset.

Other:

Experience in climate change adaptation, local government affairs, economic and/or financial analysis, experience with international financial institutions (IFIs), project monitoring, and policy development; knowledge of current international issues pertaining to risk reduction, sustainable development, economic and social vulnerability concerns. o Familiarity with disaster risk reduction, the ISDR system and its partners and the Hyogo Framework for Action. o Working experience in capacity building and training. o Basic knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies, guidelines. o Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system