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Head, Protocol and Security Division ITU

International Telecommunication Union

Geneva, Switzerland

Job ID: PM06/P5/407

Duties / Responsibilities

Under the general authority of the Secretary-General and the direct supervision of the Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership Department, the incumbent will:

  • Lead and manage the ITU Protocol and Security Division in the overall formulation, planning and coordination of relevant strategies;
  • Provide organizational leadership and strategic guidance in the organization and coordination of the protocol and security activities;
  • Develop, review and implement protocol and security policies, procedures and guidelines and recommend and implement protocol and security services in accordance with Host Country (Switzerland) standards and monitor compliance;
  • Establish and maintain liaison with the Swiss Government as regards to the practical implementation of the Headquarters Agreements: on status and privileges of the Organization and of its staff members, of the permanent representatives to the Organization, of delegates, representatives and observers to ITU sessions and of visiting government officials;
  • Coordinate and liaise with local authorities and local law enforcement agencies and act as security focal point for the Host Country fire and police services on day-to-day problems, security and other matters;
  • The depth of treatment varies according to subject matter, urgency and sensitivity;
  • External relations require political as well as personal tact and discretion, plus the need to take into account and balance ITU's interests and concerns and those of the Member States;
  • Propose solutions to pending problems in her/his area and decide on ways and means of communicating with government authorities, Permanent Missions in Geneva, United Nations system organizations, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the framework of tasks assigned to her/him;
  • The nature of the proposals will inevitably vary in extent and depth, but are nonetheless important as they guide the implementation of policies and programs on matters concerned;
  • Provide strategic advice to all levels of management on all aspects of protocol and security;
  • Provide expert assessment, recommendations, planning, implementation management and review in security matters for the Union's Field Offices;
  • Represent the protocol and security services/programme at international, regional or national meetings to provide substantive expertise on issues and hold substantive discussions with representatives of other organizations;
  • Provide strategic and executive direction on the execution, monitoring and maintenance of security standard operating procedures and systems, emergency preparedness and crisis management, as well as leading threat and risk assessments for ITU in Geneva and in field offices, and for all ITU major events either in Geneva or abroad with a view to implement mitigating measures and develop security plans;
  • Lead investigations into security violations and any other security incidents;
  • Ensure that Protocol and Security requirements for travel of elected officials are met, in coordination with local Protocol and Security Authorities;
  • Lead security awareness and training programs for managers, staff and contractors including the definition of content covering in particular technical training, continuous information on physical security, threat and risk assessments, access control, emergency preparedness;
  • Perform additional activities that may be required to ensure the success of the work team.

Qualifications required

Education:

  • Advanced university degree in Political Science, International Relations, Social Science, Law, Public Administration or related fields OR education in a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the fields above;
  • For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with fifteen years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes.

Experience:

  • At least ten years of progressively responsible experience, including at least five years at the international level in diplomatic, political or administrative positions;
  • Experience in dealing with diplomatic missions, high government authorities would be an advantage;
  • Experience in providing protocol and security services to high-ranking officials desirable;
  • A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience.

Languages:

  • Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage;
  • (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration.).

Competencies:

  • General knowledge of the United Nations system and particularly of the ITU;
  • Initiative, originality of ideas, creativity, ability to plan, organize and manage relevant activities, supervise and motivate staff in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams;
  • Personal tact and discretion to conduct effective relations with Permanent Missions and other international organizations, including at the highest level, to represent the interests of the ITU;
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
  • Ability to report concisely, accurately and promptly on meetings and matters of relevance to ITU;
  • Good judgment, objectivity and political awareness in approaching problems and the ability to propose sound solutions to complex and sensitive problems.

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