Org. Setting and Reporting
Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention seeks to support countries to address Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD). (www. unccd.int)
The G20 (or Group of Twenty) is the annual international forum for the governments from 19 industrialized countries and the European Union (EU). Collectively, the G20 economies account for around 90 percent of the gross world product (GWP), 75 percent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world’s land area. In 2020, Saudi Araba held the rotating Presidency of the G20. The G20 Leaders’ Declaration, issued on Sunday, 22 November 2020, launched a “Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats”. Building on existing initiatives and on a voluntary basis, the G20 countries share the ambition to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the amount of degraded land by 2040.
The Global Initiative, with oversight from UNCCD, will focus on capacity building, engaging the private sector and civil society and showcasing success. The Director, under the oversight of the Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, manages the Coordination Office of the Global Initiative.
Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Executive Secretary the incumbent will be responsible and accountable for the following duties:
1.Manages the team and programme of work of the Global Initiative’s Coordination Office.
2.Coordinates and manages the Global Initiative’s substantive programme of work in order to ensure delivery in key thematic areas; provides leadership to the development of innovative and transformative programmes; advises on results-based management and on the coordination/supervision of the programme budget, staffing and resources.
3.Identifies, develops and nurtures partnerships to support the effective implementation of critical deliverables in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.
4.Advises the Executive Secretary on, and acts as the secretary to, the governance of the Global Initiative; ensures and coordinates the servicing of the Steering Committee; prepares reports on the implementation of the Global Initiative to the G20 as appropriate; supervises and coordinates data, information, and knowledge management in the context of the Global Initiative. Ensures that the outputs produced by the Global Initiative maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.
5.Assists in high level advocacy, represents and speaks on behalf of the Global Initiative at meetings of other international organizations, agencies and bodies. Coordinates and undertakes resource mobilization and fundraising for supplementary funds, and ensures follow up;
6.Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the programmes and across secretariat’s boundaries;
7.Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the Global Initiative as required by the Executive Secretary.
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of international cooperation and policies relating to sustainable land and water management, sustainable development and global environmental challenges, rural development, with practical decision making experience at senior levels; ability to guide the development of normative work and the production of reports and papers on substantive issues related to the work programme; ability to assess and review the work of others; ability to plan, organize and oversee the work of teams through results-based management. Ability to explain and sustain complex issues with regard to key decisions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to lead in preparing written reports that are clear, concise, meaningful and action oriented. Provides leadership and takes responsibility and accountability for incorporating gender and diversity perspectives to wide and inclusive e participation of all genders in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing and gender integration into ongoing and new programmes.
Communication: Speaks and writes concisely, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or Doctorate) in sustainable development, international relations, economics, environmental studies, public policy, natural resources management, law, or related area. A relevant or related first-level university degree in the above areas in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
Over fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development, diplomacy, economics, environment, or related field is required.
Extensive experience at a senior managerial level with significant international experience environment is required.
Demonstrated leadership experience with strategic vision and proven skills in managing complex organizations is required.
Experience in facilitation of intergovernmental process is required.
Languages
For this post, fluency in English, with excellent drafting skills is required. Working knowledge of another UN official language is desirable
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
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.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
