Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 17 Jul 2017
Chief, IASC Secretariat, D1
CHIEF OF SERVICE, HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
Department/Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Duty Station: GENEVA
The position is located in the Office of the Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator/ASG OCHA in Geneva. Geneva is classified as a “H” family duty station. The Chief, IASC Secretariat reports directly to the Assistant Secretary-General.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision and in close consultation of the Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator(DERC)/ASG OCHA, Chair of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Working Group, and in consultation with the Emergency Relief Coordinator(ERC)/USG OCHA, as head of the IASC and Chair of the IASC Principals, the Chief, IASC Secretariat will be responsible for the duties:
Support to the ERC, DERC, and IASC Bodies Act as Secretary of the IASC at the Executive Heads of Agency level and at the Working Group level, proactively maintaining communication channels with the ERC, DERC and amongst organisations.
Lead, in full consultation with the DERC and all relevant entities and concerned agencies, the development and implementation of a coherent annual IASC Working Group workplan.
Coordinate preparatory processes for the regular and ad hoc IASC Principals meetings (Executive Heads of Agencies) and Working Group meetings (Director level).
Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of data, analysis and background documentation to support agenda items and strategic decision-making, as required.
Ensure effective monitoring and follow-up to the decisions and action points of the IASC Principals and IASC Working Group, providing advice as appropriate to the ERC and IASC Principles.
Ensure connectivity between the IASC, the IASC Working Group, the IASC Emergency Directors Group and subsidiary bodies, ensuring development of guidance in line with strategic decisions made by the IASC, and collaborating with the EDG in identifying and elaborating policy matters with a direct bearing on humanitarian operations.
Subsidiary Bodies
Monitor progress made by IASC Subsidiary Bodies in delivering against agreed ToRs and workplans, and provide advice to the Chair of the IASC Principals and IASC Working Group on necessary action.
Provide guidance to the eleven (11) Inter-Agency Subsidiary Bodies (Task Teams and Reference Groups) and other interagency forums.
Engagement/Liaison
Advise the Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator/ASG OCHA (Chair of the IASC Working Group) on consultations and coordination processes with other humanitarian actors and the diverse, humanitarian eco-system at international and regional level.
Interact with Director-level heads of relevant coordination bodies, including UNDG, CEB, DOCO and HLCP, to ensure due attention to humanitarian concerns and contribute to the development of a cohesive and/or complementary inter-agency approach in relevant policy.
Engage with IASC partners to formulate, refine, field-test, endorse and disseminate humanitarian policy.
Engage with OCHA Directors (inter-alia, Director, OCHA Geneva, and of the Coordination and Response Division, Policy Development and Studies Branch; Programme Support Branch and Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Branch) on work undertaken by relevant sections to take forward tasks emanating from decisions of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and its Working Group.
Representation
Represent the IASC Secretariat (and OCHA on request), in various UN, inter-governmental and non-governmental international, regional or national forums.
Chair inter-agency briefings, consultations and briefings at the request of/as agreed with the ERC and/or DERC/Chair of the IASC Working Group. Manage or oversee the substantive preparation and organisation of such meetings.
Secretariat Management
Manage and provide effective oversight and guidance of the IASC Secretariat to provide efficient support to the ERC, DERC and IASC members.
Ensure the effective and efficient management of the IASC Secretariat, through the establishment of effective management practices, including supervision of staff and measures to ensure staff development.
Ensure the smooth function of the IASC Secretariat through effective internal administrative support services, including through recruitment of staff, establishment of a budget/costplan, monitoring of expenditure and internal/external reporting as required.
Discharge any other functions at the request of the Emergency Relief Coordinator or Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian and protection dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; acts without consideration of personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority; stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.
• Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats men and women equally; shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses; does not discriminate against any individual or group.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours 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.
• 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.
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 International Relations, Political or Social Sciences, or related field. 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 15 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance, disaster or crisis management or related fields is required. At least three years of field experience (defined as duty stations classified as A to E by the International Civil Service Commission) is required. Experience in coordinating inter-agency processes is required. Experience in developing humanitarian policy and guidance is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment
All applicants should regularly check the United Nations HR Portal at https://hr.un.org/page/assessment or their "My Upcoming Test Schedule" page in Inspira for any updates/changes after the closing of this job opening, particularly during the week before the scheduled testing dates.
Please note that applicants who apply as rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and accordingly, will not be invited to participate in the SPT or any other assessments (including any written exam, interview, etc.) throughout the selection process. For more information about the assessment process, please visit the United Nations HR Portal.
How to apply:
We encourage qualified candidates to apply before the deadline of 17 July 2017.
Qualified applicants irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply, as well as applicants from under-represented countries.
Apply here: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=79532