Head of UNISDR regional office - Incheon, P5

Vacancy ISDR/T/05/2011

United Nations Core Values: - Integrity - Professionalism - Respect for diversity

The position is located in the secretariat of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) office in Incheon, Republic of Korea. Under the overall guidance of the Head, Regional Coordination Unit, based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Head of Office will be responsible for the following areas of work:

• Takes the lead to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate the work plan of the UNISDR Office in the Republic of Korea; directs subordinates in programme/project development, identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
• Building partnerships and creating a conducive environment for broad and focused cooperation in areas of the office responsibility.
• Supervise the programme officer with oversight on the ISDR Global Education and Training Institute for Disaster risk reduction in Incheon.
• In close coordination with relevant Units in UNISDR Geneva and other regional offices, takes leadership to develop and implement a capacity building and training programme that will focus primarily on urban and climate change risks in particular to promote the understanding of the links between disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation agendas and processes.
• Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including capacity building, in all areas and at all levels.
• Leads activities related to work plan 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.).
• Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; Guides, evaluates and mentors staff.
• May perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Managerial Competencies
• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. 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.
• Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to theirs; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Qualifications:

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics 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 experience in project or programme management, administration or related area. Experience in managing and leading field or regional offices of multilateral development organizations is highly desirable.
Language: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other languages (especially East Asia languages) is an asset.
Other: - Experience in developing and documenting disaster reduction policies, and practices and publications on disaster reduction issues, economic and/or financial analysis, knowledge of (re)insurance, experience with IFIs, project monitoring, and policy development; knowledge of current international issues pertaining to risk reduction, sustainable development, economic, climate change and social vulnerability concerns.
- Familiarity with disaster risk reduction, the Hyogo Framework for Action, the ISDR system and its partners and climate change adaptation.
- Basic knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies, guidelines.
- Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system