Director, Political Affairs, D2

UN Department of Peace Operations

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Mine Action Service of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions within the Department of Peace Operations in New York and operates under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions.

Responsibilities

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

• Directs and manages the Mine Action Service;
• Contributes to the formulation of the Mine Action Service overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues in relation to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty and other treaties relating to landmines and explosive remnants of war, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the ASG for Rule of Law and Security Institutions and the USG for Peace Operations; Provides leadership to the development of innovative and/or change management programmes;
• Formulates and implement the substantive work programme of the Service under his/her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the timely delivery of assistance to mine affected states in all aspects of mine action, in partnership with other entities of the UN system;
• Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Service, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and coordinates the integration of mine action activities with humanitarian, development and peacekeeping operations of the UN as well as ensuring coordination of the work of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility as part of the Global Protection Cluster;
• Co-ordinates 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;
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports;
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Service under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates;
• Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Service, 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 (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates;
• Together with the Deputy Director, directs resource mobilization efforts in support of UN mine action activities through outreach with donors; represents the United Nations on mine action issues;
• Oversees the recruitment of staff, with the Deputy, for the Service taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values;
• Manages, guides staff under his/her direct supervision; foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries;
• Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions;
• Perform other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of 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 or international law. 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 international humanitarian, development, peacekeeping or disarmament programmes;
• At least three years of experience managing mine action, humanitarian or peacekeeping components in conflict-affected or post conflict countries is desirable;
• Experience in senior management positions at international or regional organization Headquarters is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Application instructions