Director, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG), UNDRR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional and liaison offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk, working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

This position is located in the UNDRR Headquarters in Geneva and the incumbent reports to the SRSG.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the SRSG, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Directs and oversees all activities related to management of operations, internal coordination, administration, planning and programme support, to include:

a. Identifies broad strategies required for the improvement of programme support delivery and highlights risks to planned delivery, proposing mitigating measures.
b. Leads the formulation and the coordinated implementation of the substantive work programme of UNDRR, determining priorities, and allocating resources , including human resources, for the timely completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
c. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by UNDRR units, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both, within the units and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies, as appropriate.
d. Provides leadership to the development of change management programmes.
e. Chairs relevant committees established by the SRSG on administrative-related issues such as project and programme acceptance, management, property, staff safety and security, common services, etc.
f. Coordinates strategies with national authorities of the host country with respect to administrative and logistical matters and ensures that productive and cooperative relations with counterparts are maintained.
g. Oversees and supports audits and evaluations conducted by the internal oversight bodies of the UN and external partners. Coordinates and monitors the implementation of their recommendations.
h. Coordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies, such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
i. Reports to intergovernmental bodies on management issues including budget/programme performance, as appropriate.
j. Ensures that the outputs produced by the substantive and support units maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.
k. Coordinates UNDRR's fundraising efforts and partnership building, including through innovative financing and private sector partnerships.
l. Ensures results-based budgeting, and the management of finances in accordance to UN regulations and rules.
m. Leads the development of partnerships to support program implementation and delivery.

2. Oversees the recruitment of staff , taking due account to geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.

3. Under the guidance of the SRSG (ASG), coordinates with Heads of UN agencies, funds and programmes in the host country duty station all matters pertaining to security and safety of UNDRR personnel, premises and the provision of common services, as well as with the UN Regional Hubs and Commissions on issues related to the regional coordination mechanisms.

4. Oversees the organizational work planning, delivery coordination and programme monitoring and evaluation activities and recommends corrective action.

5. Ensures adequate support to inter-governmental processes, the organization of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and regional platforms for disaster risk reduction that result from, inter alia, the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

6. Directly supervises corporate change projects, as assigned by the SRSG.

7. Performs other functions as assigned by the SRSG, including acting as Officer-in-Charge in times of absence of the ASG.

Competencies

Professionalism:
-Knowledge of disaster risk reduction/management including an understanding of how to engage with and mobilize diverse stakeholders
- Knowledge of economics and social development planning and implementation
-Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations
-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.

Accountability:
-Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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.

Planning and 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

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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision
-Makes tough decisions when necessary

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 improvement; 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in programme/project management, disaster management, economic development, environment or related area is required.
Experience in senior management positions, including resource mobilization and partnership building is required.
Experience in leadership positions, including leading complex planning processes, interacting with and establishing productive cooperation with a diverse number of partners, comprising Governments, the UN, multilateral systems, business, science and civil society is required.
Experience overseeing office management in large international organizations is desirable.
Experience working in the UN system is desirable.
Experience representing organizations at high-level international conferences and events is desirable.
Experience advocating for the core mandate of organizations with a wide range of partners is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

Information

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Industry experience

Education: Masters

Seniority: VP, Exec VP, MD, Dean, General Manager, Business Unit Manager

Years of experience: 10 to 20 years

Taxonomy

• Risk Mitigation Strategy
• Water Risk Tools
• Risk Assessment
• Water Risk
• Risk Analysis
• Risk Management
• Risk evaluation