Closing date:

Senior programme officer (regional coordinator for Africa), L-5

City/location:
Addis Ababa
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Africa

This job posting has closed

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 is 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.

Disaster risk reduction requires the engagement of organizations and actors from diverse specializations, spanning the development, humanitarian and technical/environmental fields, and the development of coherent strategies, programmes and policies across these fields and tailored to the circumstances and needs of specific sectors. The concepts and tools of disaster risk reduction offer significant means to protect development gains, to reduce the demands for humanitarian relief and response, and to cope with the future changes in risks arising from climate change.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • 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.


  • Contribute to the UNISDR mid-term strategy 2010-2015 to be developed in 2009


  • Advise and provide technical assistance to 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 research and 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.


  • Leads 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.).


  • Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization.


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


  • Participate in the Operational Management Group (OMG) of the secretariat.


  • 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 Director.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:

The position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the overall guidance of the Director and reporting to the Deputy Director.

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. Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies; member state personnel with responsibility for disaster risk reduction; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.

Results Expected:
Develops, implements, evaluates, effective leadership and management of major projects and teams; demonstrates timely delivery of outputs in accordance with overall objectives and policies. Plays a lead role in identifying significant issues and develops well-reasoned, innovative approaches to deal with these issues. Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties.

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 Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.


  • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.


  • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.


  • 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.


  • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.


  • 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.


  • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.


  • Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.


  • Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

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.


  • Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.


  • Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.


  • 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.


  • Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.


  • Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

     

 

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, including management experience, preferably at the international level and within the United Nations system, in the specific programme area associated with this post, such as disaster risk reduction, humanitarian, development and disaster management fields.

Language: Fluency in English. Knowledge of other UN languages an asset. Other: Experience in disaster management, research, evaluation, and policy development; working experience in developing countries; knowledge of current international issue pertaining to risk reduction, sustainable development, economic and social vulnerability concerns. Ability to effectively liaise with donor agencies, UN agencies, NGOS, scientific and technical community, media and other potential partners. Good knowledge of the formulation of strategic papers at national level including Common Country Assessment, UN Develop Assistance Framework and Poverty Reduction Strategy papers. Sound knowledge of project formulation.

Attachments

P-11 form , English

Explore further

Country and region Ethiopia
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