Director, Political Affairs, D-2

UN DPPA-DPO - United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs-Department of Peace Operations

New York, United States

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Mine Action Service, Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, within the Department of Peace Operations in New York. The incumbent operates under the supervision of and reports to the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Rule of Law and Security Institutions.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for the following:

Supports the ASG in ensuring coordination and coherence in implementation of the United Nations Mine Action Service’s (hereinafter referred to as UNMAS) mandates and activities;
Initiates and leads resource mobilization efforts in support of UNMAS programmes and activities through extensive outreach to donors and in accordance with agreed plans and projections;
Contributes to the formulation of UNMAS overall strategies and policies;
Develops and provides advice to the ASG and USG for Peace Operations on policy matters and political issues related to UNMAS mandates;
Represents the Organization at international meetings including those pertaining to international conventions regulating or banning the use of landmines, explosive remnants of war and the use of explosive devices;
Oversees strategic communications and public advocacy to advance the five pillars of mine action globally;
Provides leadership on the development of innovative change management initiatives, including to foster team building and gender-responsiveness;
Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of UNMAS determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely delivery of assistance to affected states and territories, in partnership with other entities of the UN system where relevant;
Oversees the management of programmes and activities undertaken by UNMAS ensuring they are carried out in a timely fashion, integrated within humanitarian, development and peace operation settings as appropriate, and that the work of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility, as part of the Global Protection Cluster, is coordinated;
Oversees the preparation of reports and presentations to intergovernmental bodies (Security Council, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council) including the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and other policy-making organs, as appropriate;
Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance and on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate;
Ensures that the outputs produced by UNMAS maintain high-quality standards and that reports are clear, objective, based on comprehensive data and comply with standards and mandates;
Oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of UNMAS, including preparing budgets, assigning and monitoring performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparing inputs for results-based budgeting and evaluating staff performance;
Oversees the recruitment of staff, with the Deputy, in accordance with geographical and gender balance considerations and other institutional values;
Represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences;
Chairs programmatic, substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions;
Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of mine action work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. 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;
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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent in management, social or political sciences, international law or similar). A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the coordination or management of humanitarian, development, or disarmament programmes is required;
At least three years of experience managing mine action or humanitarian programmes in conflict-affected countries is required;
Experience in strategic planning, programme development, budgeting and resource mobilization, including managing extrabudgetary funds, is required;
Experience contributing to intergovernmental processes and providing advice to legislative bodies is desirable;
At least two years of experience in senior management positions at international or regional organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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