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), UNDRR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional 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 U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.
The temporary contract duration is 364 days. The position is located in the UNDRR Regional Office for Europe in Brussels, the incumbent will be reporting to the Chief of the Regional Office.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
Acts as the focal point for partnerships with the private sector, civil society and community-based organizations in the region. Supports engagement of partners at the regional and national level, in line with the overall UNDRR Partnership Engagement Strategy; collaborates closely with partnership focal points in other regional offices to ensure coherence and information exchange. Develops and maintains partner structures, groups and registries in the region, in line with the overall Partnership Engagement Strategy.
Supports the delivery of the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction (Regional Platform) in collaboration with the secretariat and with consultation of the Host Country.
Carries out research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities, etc., to include collecting, analyzing and presenting data and other information gathered from diverse sources, this will include the country matrix on Sendai Implementation. Participates in survey initiatives; assists with design of data collection tools; issues data collection tools, reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions.
Identifies good practices in the region at national and local levels where risk reduction and climate change adaptation are closely linked or jointly developed and implemented in a coherent manner. Collects, documents and evaluates the best practices for further dissemination and scaling up where possible.
Supports analysis of collected data on mainstreaming DRR into the next United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Development Frameworks (UNSCDFs). Liaises with UN Resident Coordinator offices and UN Country Teams on UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction engagement and technical assistance in UNSCDFs and their implementation processes.
Undertakes outreach activities; participates in the development of training workshops, seminars, etc.; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
Provides administrative and substantive support to workshops and other meetings, conferences, etc., including the drafting of meeting documents, proposing agenda topics, identifying and inviting participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc.
Participates in field missions. Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories,concepts and approaches relevant to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and other risk management topics. Ability to establish and foster successful partnerships and collaborations. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.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.
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.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, management, economics, social sciences, urban development, law or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of relevant progressively responsible experience in project or programme management or related area is required.
Experience in building partnerships in the area of disaster risk reduction is required.
Experience working in international organizations such as the United Nations or other comparable international organizations is desirable.
Experience with the DRR processes in the European region is desirable.
Experience working with the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction or UNDRR Regional Platforms is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required and knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official languages spoken in Europe is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available with a contract duration of 364 days.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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.
United Nations Considerations
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.
