Associate programme management officer, L-2

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. In adopting ISDR, the United Nations General Assembly (Res/54/219) endorsed the establishment of an institutional framework for its implementation consisting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction (IATF/DR) and the inter-agency secretariat (ISDR secretariat).

The main functions of the secretariat are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) took place and represents a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters adopted at the WCDR.

The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in the coming years and it constitutes an unprecedented conceptual shift that takes account of the complexity of action in disaster risk reduction and the large variety of actors whose inputs are required in the pursuit of this objective. It provides the basic concepts and prescribes and expected outcome; details three strategic goals for disaster risk reduction and a set of five priority areas for action; and assigns tasks to stakeholders at difference operational levels to reach the expected outcome.

Organizational setting and reporting relationships

The position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), in Geneva, Switzerland under the overall guidance of the Director and reporting to the Programme Management Officer for Administrative Services.

Duties and responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, act as certifying officer (approve/confirm proposed obligations or disbursements in accordance with the Financial Rules and Regulations of the UN, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments).
• Assist in coordinating, preparing and contributing to the design of substantive programme(s) through consultations with programme and project team leaders. Assist in formulating guidelines and procedures to increase the efficiency of the respective processes.
• Assist in developing work programmes and budgets for the teams of the ISDR secretariat; analyse inputs and formulate resource allocations by work program, or business processes; monitor, track and report expenditures against the approved work plan. Advise team leaders on financial planning.
• Support the implementation of procedures and systems for implementing the appropriate financial database.
• Focal point for regional offices.
• Contribute to the development of budgetary guidelines for own unit.
• Assist in training team leaders in the administrative processes required to obtain deliverables. Maintain updates for the ISDR intranet administration section.
• Assist in the organizational development process of the ISDR secretariat.
• Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, inputs to reports, etc.
Human resource management

• Undertake actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities, e.g. recruitment, placement, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification review, separation of staff members, training, etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures.
• Provide information regarding conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and privileges and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations. Act as UN/ISDR Focal point for new recruits.
• Provide information on unit’s staffing needs for inclusion in the global staffing needs of UN/ISDR.
• Assist in the coordination of the ePAS process for the programme.
General Administration

• Assist in implementing and monitoring support services, including procurement of supplies and services; transport, travel and traffic, communications, engineering and information technology support; and provision of local utilities and service requirements.
• Contribute to the production of reports for management.
• Perform other related duties as required, e.g. review of travel programme, adequacy of space requirements, and technology requirements.

• Perform other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following

Staff at all levels, within UN/ISDR and the disaster risk reduction community as well as national counterparts. UNOG and OCHA counterparts (human resources, administration, financial services….) Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies; member state personnel; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.

Results Expected

Apply specialised expertise with respect to a range of human resources, work programme/planning, budget/financial management, general administration and administrative tasks of the UN/ISDR secretariat. Development and maintenance of effective working relationships. Efficient use of resources.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the ISDR system and the Hyogo Framework for Action. Practical experience in programme/project financial management and administration. Demonstrated conceptual analytical and evaluative skills and ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identifying issues, formulating opinions and making conclusions and recommendations. Ability to apply good judgement in the context of assignments given; ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Communication: Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally. Ability to articulate options concisely. Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with respect for diversity. Leadership: Ability to supervise, and support development. Planning and organizing: Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. Technology Awareness: Solid computer skills. Commitment to continuous learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new development in the field. Client orientation: Ability to identify clients’ needs and appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.

Qualifications

Education: First level university degree, preferably in business administration, finance, accounting or the equivalent combination of academic qualifications and experience in related area.
Experience: Minimum two years of progressively responsible experience in the areas associated with this post, such as financial management, accounting, Trust Fund management and related fields.

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. French is highly desirable. Fluency in additional official UN languages is an asset.

Other skills: IMIS trained. Familiarity with United Nations is highly desirable. Experience in administering regional operations through partner organizations. Good numeric facility and ability to work productively under pressure and cope with deadlines. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of information acquired in the course of the function. Field mission experience will be an advantage. Knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies and guidelines. Familiarity with disaster risk reduction, the ISDR system and its partners and the Hyogo Framework for Action.

Deadline for applications has been extended from 22 Feb. until 3 March 2008