Head of regional office – Africa

Vacancy: ISDR/G/03/2009

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) also endorsed the establishment of the ISDR secretariat (UNISDR).

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

Duties and Responsibilities:

- As team leader and an experienced manager, takes the lead to develop, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate UNISDR work plan in Africa (prepared on a biennial basis and revised annually), including assigned programmes/projects in the region; directs colleagues in his/her team in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment; direct review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.

- Represents the organization. As representative of the UNISDR, serves as an effective spokesperson contributing to ISDR public information and communication strategies and establish collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization. This will involve extensive travel.

- Support intergovernmental and interagency processes with emphasis on establishing an effective working relationship with the Resident Coordinator’s office and the UN country team.

- As part of the UNISDR senior management team contribute to strategic planning and monitoring of the secretariat’s achievements. As Head of the Regional Office manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.

- Build regional partnerships and advise on joint programmes including with the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Commissions on the implementation of the African Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Hyogo Framework for Action.

- Liaise with and advise donor agencies to support the implementation of the UNISDR work plan in Africa, and develop and manage a specific fundraising strategy for Africa in close collaboration with the UNISDR headquarters.

- Coordinate the elaboration of a regional framework for cooperation as part of the ISDR system join work programme with the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Commission of Africa, in close consultation with partners in the region that will also be involved in their implementation, in particular with UNDP, World Bank and OCHA Regional Offices.

- Coordinates and plans policy development with the World Bank Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery for Africa, and support of regional outreach programmes, units and the secretariat’s work in support of national and regional platforms; coordinate the ISDR interagency, policy coordination and advocacy functions in Africa.

- Coordinate inter-agency requirements with other humanitarian, development and technical organizations, in particular UNEP, WMO, IFRC and other members of the ISDR Inter-Agency Group, including substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, inter-agency briefings, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants , preparation of documents and presentations, etc.

- Undertakes survey initiatives; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. Direct programme evaluation and represent information gathered from diverse sources.

- Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.

- Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

- May be requested to lead and participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting of mission summaries, etc.

- Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

- Maintain high-level contacts with national governments and organizations in Africa and represent the ASG of the UNISDR secretariat in relevant meetings, when requested.

- Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; guide, evaluate and mentor staff, in particular the team building requirements for the effective performance of the

UNISDR Office in Africa.

- Perform other duties as required and requested by the Deputy Director.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:

The position is located in the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat (UNISDR), in Nairobi, Kenya reporting to the Deputy Director in Geneva, Switzerland.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Staff at all levels, within UN/ISDR and administrative partners in the field, UNOG and OCHA counterparts (financial services, administration, central services, conference services, etc). 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:

Provides sound, innovative advice and counsel on a wide range of complex issues/problems, including to national and international officials on developing strategies to deal with disaster risk reduction and related issues on a long-term basis. Effectively leads and demonstrates efficient planning, development, implementation and monitoring of the regional office’s program to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results.

Effectively utilizes, supervises and develops staff. Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally. Establishes effective collaboration and partnerships with officials at all levels inside and outside the organization.

Competencies:

The United Nations has a set of core values (integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity) and competencies (skills, attributes and behaviours which are considered important for all staff and for staff with managerial and supervisory responsibilities). The core competencies of the United Nations include communication; teamwork; planning and organizing; accountability; creativity; client orientation; commitment to continuous learning; and technological awareness.

Managerial competencies include leadership; vision; empowering others; building trust; managing performance; and judgement/decision making (Annex I).

Qualifications:

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, social or natural 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: A minimum of 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, humanitarian, development and disaster management fields.

A strong asset is familiarity with current strategic issues in Africa and working experience implementation in Africa.

Language: Fluency in English and preferably French. Knowledge of other UN languages an asset.

Other: Experience in disaster management, monitoring, evaluation, and policy; working experience in developing countries; knowledge of current international issue pertaining to risk reduction, sustainable development, economic and social vulnerability concerns. Ability to effectively work with donor agencies, UN agencies, NGOS, scientific and technical community, media and other potential partners. Sound knowledge of project formulation.