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 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 Chief, Intergovernmental Processes, Inter-agency Cooperation and Partnerships Branch.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

Oversees UNDRR’s engagement in the Coalition on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) by offering strategic policy advice, technical assistance, organizational support and representing UNDRR in relevant CDRI events. Takes lead in organizing CDRI related consultations and workshops, coordinating with member governments and international organizations, including multilateral development banks and the United Nations system, and the private sector. Leads UNDRR’s engagement with other ongoing resilient infrastructure action related to SDG implementation, the G20 processes, as well as with relevant global financial institutions and initiatives including the Task Force on Climate Related Disclosures. Leads and coordinates UNDRR’s engagement in the School Safety Initiative as related to resilient infrastructure, including planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting as well as partnership engagement. Coordinate and increase synergies between the International Recovery Platform (IRP) and the CDRI. Enhance opportunities of contribution of the IRP towards the collection and analysis of information on recovery practices along the theme of Infrastructure.

Plans, manages, supervises and carries out the annual work plan under his/her responsibility, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery; ensures that the outputs produced meet high-quality standards and support relevant UNDRR mandates. Contributes to UNDRR strategic direction, provides analysis and substantive inputs to reports on relevant inter-governmental and inter-agency discussions bearing relevance to advancing the disaster risk reduction agenda and UNDRR mandate. Carries out the managerial, programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the efficient functioning of the Organisation’s work stream on infrastructure including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance, interview and evaluation of candidates for job openings and interaction with service providers and UN partners, as appropriate. Acts as Deputy to the Chief of Branch.

Leads the planning, implementation and evaluation of UNDRR policies and programming on risk-informed development specifically related to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructures. Provides strategic and operational support to the integration of climate and disaster resilient infrastructure in global, regional and national DRR strategies and activities as a core feature of Sendai Framework implementation. Provides expert technical advice and support to UNDRR regional offices, including through missions, to guide their engagement in regional climate and disaster resilient infrastructure processes and events. Supports the building of climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure knowledge, skills and competencies of UNDRR staff at HQ and regional levels;

Leads research on the identification of new and emerging climate and disaster resilient infrastructure issues, in collaboration with UNDRR’s Global Risk Assessment and Reporting Unit and presents analysis of information and recommendations to UNDRR Senior Management to guide future planning. Advises UNDRR SRSG, Director and Senior Management Team on advocacy related to resilient infrastructure and provides direct support for the substantive planning and preparation of meetings related to resilient infrastructure organized by UNDRR, including Global and Regional Platforms. Prepares speeches, outreach materials or presentations for UNDRR Senior Management on climate and disaster resilient infrastructure and makes presentations at various fora of intergovernmental, governmental, inter-agency, expert or multi-stakeholder nature. Develops project proposals to mobilize resources for relevant initiatives.

In collaboration with UNDRR substantive branches and regional offices, provides guidance and support in data collection, monitoring and reporting of the Sendai Framework, with a specific focus on Target D “Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among them health and educational facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030”.

Performs other related 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 identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; Ability to establish and foster successful partnerships and collaborations; Ability to identify strategic opportunities for advancing the agenda of the Department; 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.

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.

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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, natural resources management, engineering, law, social sciences or related field 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.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in disaster risk management, development planning, public policy, resilient infrastructure or related field is required.
• Experience in providing policy support and/or technical advice to UN entities, international organizations or Member States in matters related to resilient infrastructure is required.
• Experience in building strategic alliances and partnerships in disaster risk reduction is desirable.
• At least five (5) years of experience working for international organizations such as the United Nations or other comparable organization is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
• 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 Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
• 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.

Apply at: https://www.undrr.org/vacancy/senior-coordination-officer-p5