Head of Cabinet

Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/13/P5/FT-C/21 Title: Head of Cabinet Grade: P5 Type of contract Fixed-Term (Core) Appointment Duration:  three years	Publication Date: 7 October 2013 Application Deadline: 17 November 2013 (24 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications   Organizational Unit: Executive Office, Strategy and Communication Directorate (DCSC) Duty Station:  Bern Switzerland Scheduled date for taking up appointment:  as soon as possible
Organizational Context: The Universal Postal Union (UPU), with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services. Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Executive Office, Strategy and Communication Directorate the incumbent provides to the Director of the Executive Office, Deputy Director General (DDG) and Director General (DG) technical expertise advice and support on a wide range of services. In consultation and coordination with the Director of the Executive Office the incumbent advices and assists the DDG and the DG on highly complex and sensitive matters related policy and strategy. The incumbent assists the Director of the Executive Office, the DDG and the DG in managing the International Bureau and in coordinating the work of the differents directorates. He/she assists them in their contacts with Governments, delegations, non-governmental organizations, the press and the public.
Main duties: 1. Executive Office of the Director General (DG) and the Deputy Director General (DDG) 1.1 Management of the Executive Office and support for the DG / DDG - Provides technical expertise advice and analysis to the DG and the DDG. - In consultation with the Director of the Executive Office advices the DDG and the DG on multi-disciplinary, highly complex and often sensitive and/or conflicting matters realtes to strategy, policy, politics (UN and Governments) and management. - Prepares official missions and public engagements of the DG and the DDG, as well as visits of high ranking officials to the International Bureau. - Contributes to achieving organizational wide coherence on issues related to the field of administration, procedural questions by identifying needs and gaps and seeking new and innovative solutions with the aim to improve efficiency and effectiveness. 1.2 International and external realtions - Contributes to UN questionnaires, papers and meetings, including the Joint Inspection Union. - Participes in high-level meetings and conferences of UN agencies, attends meetings with the DG and the DDG and represents the Director of the Executive Office in such meetings that the Director cannot attend. - Establishes and maintains lines of contact with the Diplomatic Corp in Switzerland and Swiss authorities. 2. Communication Programme (internal and external) - Prepares and reviews notes, speeches, policy statements, policy papers, guidelines, briefing materials and articles in external publications for the personal attention of the DG and the DDG. - Makes recommendations on public information and outreach activities. - Deals with protocol, liaison and representation, organizes official ceremonies and similar functions and makes arrangements for official receptions and other functions hosted by the DG and the DDG. 3. Strategy entity - Contributes together with the Programme Manager of the Strategy to the design, development and formulation of the UPU's strategy in consultation with the other directorates, DDG, DG and key stakeholders in member countries (e.g. Governments, Regulators, postal operators) and postal industry stakeholders. 4. Representaiton in internal and external bodies, committees and meetings - Represents the organization/DG at meetings and conferences as needed. - Presents IB documents and papers on sensitive and highly complex issues on behalf of the DG, the DDG and the Director of Executive Office to member countries during plenary sessions of the UPU bodies as needed.
QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Education: Advanced university degree (Master or its equivalent) in public administration, international relations, international business administration, economics, political sciences or equivalent. or first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in public administration, international relations, international business administration, economics, political sciences or equivalent.
Experience: with advanced university degree: 10 years of relevant work experience in the postal sector at management level or one of the above-mentioned fields. or with first-level university degree: 12 years of relevant work experience in the postal sector at management level or one of the above-mentioned fields.
Technical knowledge:  Good knowledge of : - the Universal Postal Union, its structure and bodies, mission, policies and strategies. - the International Bureau, its struture, working procedures, programmes and projects. - the United Nations system, its struture, mission and values, policies and decisions. - the international postal sector and current developments. - the economic and political status of the member countries of the UPU and developments in the news in general. - international protocol rules essential.
Skills and abilities / competencies: - Ability to defend and explain difficult and sensitive issues to staff, senior officials. - Ability to communicate complex concepts. - Diplomatic skills. - Flexibility and adaptability to accomodate changes in opinions and needs. - Negociation skills. - Good planning abilities, capacity to deliver quality work under pressure and against deadlines. - Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
Language skills: Perfect proficiency in English or French and the ability to communicate in the other language. Knowledge of other languages, particularly those used in the UN system, would be an asset.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) 80734 USD 86904 USD with primary dependants	Post adjustment: 104.9 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
The conditions of service are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. All applications must be received by the closing date as stated in the vacancy announcement. All applicants employed by postal entities and applying for a vacant position in the Professional (P) or Senior (D) category must be recommended and submitted through the competent postal authority. Applications not satisfying this criterion may not be considered. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged. The UPU promotes diversity and work-life balance.
For further instructions regarding the online application process, please visit the UPU internet page at:http://www.upu.int/en/resources/vacancies