Chief, Regional Support Unit, P5 - (ISDR)
This position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction. It reports to the Director of the secretariat. The Chief of Section will lead and manage the UNISDR secretariat’s work through regional offices in support of regional partnerships, policies and country support
Responsibilities:
• Provides timely and effective support to UNISDR regional offices, helps identify opportunities for interventions and partnerships, review impact of work, and facilitate coordination with key partners (i.e. Multilateral and bilateral donors, European Commission, Regional Development Banks, the World Bank, UN Resident Coordinator system) to work on joint programming and complementary support to strengthen regional and national disaster risk reduction processes.
• Oversees a team of regional desks in Geneva that will serve to ensure coherence and coordination within the UNISDR, as resource persons for the regions, and ensure liaison with all relevant units of the UNISDR secretariat and external partners.
• Oversee a policy/practice support function which coordinates and supports the HFA monitor, all reporting obligations of the Regional Offices and the Program support entities.
• Serve as the first reporting officer for all the Heads of Regional offices. As an experienced manager, he/she will provide coaching and mentoring to regional office staff and oversee budgeting and work plan monitoring of the section. The work is a core element for the effectiveness of the UNISDR secretariat’s purpose of supporting national and regional efforts in their implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (HFA).
• As team leader and an experienced manager, assist and support the Director of ISDR and the SRSG, and in particular coordinate the Heads of Regional Offices, on ISDR system regional and national level partnerships; advise Heads of Regional Offices and UNISDR senior management in this regard on policy and programmatic issues to ensure coherent mobilization of resources and support, in coordination with ISDR system partners;
• Coordinates and leads the planning processes in the regional offices and serves as first supervisor for the Heads of Regional Offices; and provides back-stopping support o the regions as liaison within the UNISDR secretariat in Geneva;
• Coordinates the regional offices in identification of opportunities for collaboration with national, regional and international development partners towards specific regions or sub-regions; supports monitoring of impact of the work and analysis of trends; and guides the Heads of Regional Offices to translate global ISDR system, UN and other relevant international agendas into the regional strategies and plans to facilitate coherence, including related to national platforms for disaster risk reduction and national HFA focal points;
• Promotes greater integration of the work of ISDR system policies and programs through cooperation with the Resident Coordinators system, UN Country teams mechanisms and UN System Staff College, in particular related to training, reviews and preparation of CCA/UNDAFs and Poverty reduction Strategies related to disaster risk reduction;
• Oversees the management of global programs and projects and implementation at regional level, in particular the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, European Commission support and others, in close collaboration with the Resource Management Unit;
• Leads the development of technical policy for National Platforms and National coordinating mechanisms for disaster reduction through appropriate advice to the Regional offices and national Governments
• Coordinates and oversees the organization, collation and analysis and reporting of the National HFA Monitor as a key output of the UNISDR to enable ISDR system partners to be accountable to the commitments made in the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-15
• Represents the UNISDR at regional forums to encourage cooperation at the global level through consultations, joint meetings or workshops, so as to ensure a greater coherence and impact at the regional and national levels and avoid duplication or overlap;
• Acts as representative on behalf of regional offices in Geneva to ensure that regional demands are fulfilled and appropriately reflected and integrated into UNISDR secretariat planning, implementation and information systems;
• Leads the recruitment of staff, for the Regional Offices and Regional support section
• Participates in the Senior Management Team of the secretariat and contributes to the strategic direction, planning and monitoring of the secretariat’s achievements;
• Perform other duties as required and requested by the Director and the SRSGS.
Competencies:
- Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.
- 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 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.
Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, international relations, with emphasis on development issues and risk management issues 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: Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience and practical experience; a documented track record of senior management experience and leadership including ability to form and support strong and productive partnerships, at the international level and within the United Nations system; experience of the specific programme area associated with this post, such as disaster risk reduction, development economics, crisis and disaster management fields.
Experience of working in National Governments in management and oversight of development and disaster reduction related programmes
Experience in UN system at National and international level required.
Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages an asset.
Other: Working experience from developing country disaster reduction related work, with national programming and planning, and with inter-agency planning, budgeting, and monitoring; and evaluation. Knowledge of and in –depth familiarity with current international issue pertaining to risk reduction, sustainable development, economic and social vulnerability concerns. Ability to effectively work with National Governments, UN agencies, NGOS, media and other potential partners.
1. Cover letter, explaining why you consider yourself qualified and motivated for this particular position.
2. Completed personal history profile (P-11 Form). Applicants can download the personal history form from the UNISDR website.
3. It would be appreciated your stating your full name and the ISDR vacancy notice number (ISDR/T/3/2011) as the subject in your e-mail of application.
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
Responsibilities:
• Provides timely and effective support to UNISDR regional offices, helps identify opportunities for interventions and partnerships, review impact of work, and facilitate coordination with key partners (i.e. Multilateral and bilateral donors, European Commission, Regional Development Banks, the World Bank, UN Resident Coordinator system) to work on joint programming and complementary support to strengthen regional and national disaster risk reduction processes.
• Oversees a team of regional desks in Geneva that will serve to ensure coherence and coordination within the UNISDR, as resource persons for the regions, and ensure liaison with all relevant units of the UNISDR secretariat and external partners.
• Oversee a policy/practice support function which coordinates and supports the HFA monitor, all reporting obligations of the Regional Offices and the Program support entities.
• Serve as the first reporting officer for all the Heads of Regional offices. As an experienced manager, he/she will provide coaching and mentoring to regional office staff and oversee budgeting and work plan monitoring of the section. The work is a core element for the effectiveness of the UNISDR secretariat’s purpose of supporting national and regional efforts in their implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (HFA).
• As team leader and an experienced manager, assist and support the Director of ISDR and the SRSG, and in particular coordinate the Heads of Regional Offices, on ISDR system regional and national level partnerships; advise Heads of Regional Offices and UNISDR senior management in this regard on policy and programmatic issues to ensure coherent mobilization of resources and support, in coordination with ISDR system partners;
• Coordinates and leads the planning processes in the regional offices and serves as first supervisor for the Heads of Regional Offices; and provides back-stopping support o the regions as liaison within the UNISDR secretariat in Geneva;
• Coordinates the regional offices in identification of opportunities for collaboration with national, regional and international development partners towards specific regions or sub-regions; supports monitoring of impact of the work and analysis of trends; and guides the Heads of Regional Offices to translate global ISDR system, UN and other relevant international agendas into the regional strategies and plans to facilitate coherence, including related to national platforms for disaster risk reduction and national HFA focal points;
• Promotes greater integration of the work of ISDR system policies and programs through cooperation with the Resident Coordinators system, UN Country teams mechanisms and UN System Staff College, in particular related to training, reviews and preparation of CCA/UNDAFs and Poverty reduction Strategies related to disaster risk reduction;
• Oversees the management of global programs and projects and implementation at regional level, in particular the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, European Commission support and others, in close collaboration with the Resource Management Unit;
• Leads the development of technical policy for National Platforms and National coordinating mechanisms for disaster reduction through appropriate advice to the Regional offices and national Governments
• Coordinates and oversees the organization, collation and analysis and reporting of the National HFA Monitor as a key output of the UNISDR to enable ISDR system partners to be accountable to the commitments made in the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-15
• Represents the UNISDR at regional forums to encourage cooperation at the global level through consultations, joint meetings or workshops, so as to ensure a greater coherence and impact at the regional and national levels and avoid duplication or overlap;
• Acts as representative on behalf of regional offices in Geneva to ensure that regional demands are fulfilled and appropriately reflected and integrated into UNISDR secretariat planning, implementation and information systems;
• Leads the recruitment of staff, for the Regional Offices and Regional support section
• Participates in the Senior Management Team of the secretariat and contributes to the strategic direction, planning and monitoring of the secretariat’s achievements;
• Perform other duties as required and requested by the Director and the SRSGS.
Competencies:
- Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.
- 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 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.
Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, international relations, with emphasis on development issues and risk management issues 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: Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience and practical experience; a documented track record of senior management experience and leadership including ability to form and support strong and productive partnerships, at the international level and within the United Nations system; experience of the specific programme area associated with this post, such as disaster risk reduction, development economics, crisis and disaster management fields.
Experience of working in National Governments in management and oversight of development and disaster reduction related programmes
Experience in UN system at National and international level required.
Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages an asset.
Other: Working experience from developing country disaster reduction related work, with national programming and planning, and with inter-agency planning, budgeting, and monitoring; and evaluation. Knowledge of and in –depth familiarity with current international issue pertaining to risk reduction, sustainable development, economic and social vulnerability concerns. Ability to effectively work with National Governments, UN agencies, NGOS, media and other potential partners.
How to apply
Please email the following documents to the ISDR secretariat at isdr.vacancies@un.org:1. Cover letter, explaining why you consider yourself qualified and motivated for this particular position.
2. Completed personal history profile (P-11 Form). Applicants can download the personal history form from the UNISDR website.
3. It would be appreciated your stating your full name and the ISDR vacancy notice number (ISDR/T/3/2011) as the subject in your e-mail of application.
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
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