Closing date:

Director, secretariat of the United Nations Strategy for Disaster Reduction, D-2

City/location:
Geneva
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

This job posting has closed

Job Opening number: 11-ADM-ocha-16253-R-GENEVA(G)

United Nations Core Values:
Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

This position is located in the Secretariat of the United Nations Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent reports to the Assistant-Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction.
By its resolution 54/219, the General Assembly established the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat to serve as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster-reduction activities of the United Nations system and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. In 2005, the World Conference for Disaster Reduction held in Hyogo, Kobe, Japan adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015: Building the resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters), a strategy for reducing vulnerabilities and risks to hazards and strengthening international cooperation in support of member states and communities.

Responsibilities

The Director is responsible for the daily management of the Secretariat of UNISDR under the overall guidance of the Assistant Secretary General. This entails leading and managing the strategic planning, the partnership development and support, the organization of the Global and Regional meetings of the Disaster Risk Reduction community, leading and designing the resource mobilization strategy for support to disaster prevention work globally as well as resource mobilization for the Secretariat. The Director will oversee the work of and support to five Regional Offices and Liaison Offices as well as to ensure the support to the SRSG/ ASG for Disaster Risk Reduction and Senior Officials of the United Nations system. The Director will ensure the strengthening and development of the Secretariat and its support to the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. The UNISDR secretariat currently comprises of 85 Staff (50% in Geneva and 50% in the regional offices), the Director oversees the mobilization of the annual budget to manage the secretariat.

Competencies

Professionalism:
Knowledge of risk management, of economics and social development planning and implementation, shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations, observing deadlines and achieving results, calm and persistence, highly motivated.
Leadership: drives for change and improvement,is pro active in developing strategies to accomplish objectives, serves as a role model and empowers others to translate vision into concrete results, establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand expectations, needs and to gain support. 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.
Planning and organizing: develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning, monitors and adjusts plans as necessary.
Judgement/decision-making: identifies key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the issue quickly, takes decisions considering the impact on others and on the Organisation, determines that the action proposed will satisfy/resolve the expressed or underlying needs for the decision.
Creativity: actively seeks to improve programmes or services, offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; ready to takes risks with new ideas; thinks "outside the box"; takes interest in nurturing and testing new ideas and new ways of doing things.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, economics, environment, development, social sciences or disaster management or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Further studies in economics and social planning is desirable..

Work experience

Over 15 years of progressively responsible experience in crisis management, disaster management, economic development, environment or related area. Experience in managerial positions, including resource mobilization and strategic planning, is required. Experience in interacting with a diverse number of partners, both in the private and public sectors, is required. Experience in UN Resident Coordinator or Development Bank Country Director positions is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United nations Secretariat. For the post advertised fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Spanish and/or Arabic is an advantage.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations-Chapter 3, article 8)

Assessment Method


Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position will include a competency-based interview and an essay exercise.


No Fee
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting,processing, training or any other fees). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts.

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