Programme officer, P-3 (temporary appointment)

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, economic and social risk and losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations.

The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat lead by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat’s main functions 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 adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing risk and to strengthen community resilience. The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, is the main global policy forum for disaster risk reduction, and is complemented by a system of regional, thematic and national platforms which bring together all relevant stakeholders.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships

The incumbent will perform his/her duties in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (ISDR) in Geneva, and under the direct supervision of the Adviser to the SRSG.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Adviser to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for disaster risk reduction in the Office of the SRSG and in close cooperation with the SRSG’s Personal Assistant, the incumbent will:

- Support the SRSG in the conduct of the office work and all issues that fall within the SRSG`s purview, including general management matters and staff-management relations.

- Manage the SRSG’s agenda and ensure the timely preparation of relevant background documents and the organization of briefings for meetings and ensure that relevant staff is informed and/or called to attend. Assist in the follow-up to meetings, including the preparation of relevant notes and briefing to staff, as appropriate.

- Draft background documents, notes for the file, presentations as well as ensure the timely and qualitative drafting of speeches and speaking notes.

- Review incoming and outgoing correspondence and refer it to, and hold consultations with, appropriate units/officers. Take initiative in drafting and preparing correspondence for the SRSG’s signature.

- Provide support to SMT meetings and retreats, including preparation of agenda and minutes, ensuring the timely submission and circulation of relevant background documents and reports.

- Maintain close contacts with all ISDR secretariat units and field offices. Bring to the attention of the SRSG and the Adviser to the SRSG all matters requiring their attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure proper follow up, as directed. Ensure timely follow-up to the SRSG’s directives, including effective dissemination of pertinent information to senior management and other relevant staff at the HQs and the field. Ensure that internal and external communications flow are maintained through appropriate electronic media, including but not limited to, ISDR’s corporate website and intranet.

- Manage the planning and organization of the SRSG’s missions, including ensuring the timely preparation of mission files and background documents by the relevant branches and units.

- Support the SRSG in interactions with high level external partners, including UN Agencies, NGO community and Member States.

- Liaise, as appropriate, with the staff of the Office of the Secretary-General, the Offices of the Under-Secretary-General of OCHA, UN agencies, funds and programs, the Red Cross Movement as well as NGOs and Permanent Missions and other interlocutors.

- Organize and participate in working groups, meetings, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief related matters.

- Undertake other assignments as requested by Adviser to the SRSG and the SRSG.

Competencies

- Professionalism
Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments; observing deadlines and achieving results; demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks; ability to work under extreme pressure and prolonged time;

- Client Orientation
Ability to consider as “clients” all those to whom services are provided, and to see things from clients’ point of view; possession of the sets of skills to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect, as well as to identify clients’ needs and meet them as appropriate; ability to monitor ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environments to keep informed and anticipate problems, as well as meet timeline for delivery of products or services to clients;

- Communication
Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations to staff, both orally and writing, in a concise style; listen to others, correctly interpret messages from others and respond appropriately; tailor language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrate openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;

- Planning and Organizing
Ability to work to tight deadlines, and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities and conflicting priorities; identify priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required; monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary;

- Teamwork
Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Qualifications

Education

University degree (Bachelor’s, Master's degree or equivalent diploma) in international relations, development studies, human rights or humanitarian affairs or related fields is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience, in disaster risk management or related areas is required, with at least two years in the field.

Languages

English and French are the UN working languages. Fluency in written and spoken English is required for this position. Working knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.

Others

Excellent knowledge the ISDR, Hyogo Framework for Action and the ISDR secretariat’s mandate, policies and work procedures; sound knowledge of the ISDR system and institutions of the UN system.

Diploma of completed University degree may be requested in due course.