Chief of Unit

Job Description

**Responsibilities** Within delegated authority, the Chief of Unit will be responsible for the following. • Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Secretariat in response to the decisions of the Secretary-General and the heads of regional and other inter-governmental organizations in their high-level meetings. Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Unit, ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and coordinated with work in different areas both within the Unit and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. • Lead, supervise and carry out the work programme of the Secretariat. Coordinate and ensure the quality of the work carried out by the Research Arm of the Secretariat (United Nations University/Comparative Regional Integration Studies programme (UNU-CRIS) and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provide programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. • Coordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to the high-level and working-level meetings between the Secretary-General and heads of regional organizations and reports required by the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Report to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. • Ensure that the outputs produced by the Unit maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensure that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Assist the Under-Secretary-General in preparing the work programme of the Unit, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Undertake or oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. • Recruit staff taking due account of geographical balance. • Manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision. • Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Secretariat, including the Research Arm of the Secretariat located in UNU/CRIS. • Lead and supervise the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on issues related to cooperation with Regional Organizations. Manage the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars. • Participate in international, regional or national meetings and provide programmatic/substantive expertise on the subject of cooperation with regional organizations; hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of such institutions. • Represent the Unit at international, regional or national meetings. **Competencies** • Professionalism: Expert knowledge in the field of cooperation between the United Nations and Regional Organizations; proven ability to produce reports and papers for presentation to high-level and working-level meetings between the Secretary-General and heads of regional organizations and reports required by the General Assembly and other policy-making organs; ability to review and edit the work of others. • Planning and organizing: Proven ability to plan and organize work, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work of the Unit into the Department’s work programme. • Communication: Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. • Technological awareness: Proficiency in computer applications relevant to the field of specialization including special packages and software for database management. Familiarity with Internet applications; proficiency in the use of the MS Office programs. • Managing Performance: Ability to lead and supervise staff. Ability to coach, mentor and develop staff. Capacity to motivate staff and encourage good performance, to co-ordinate and monitor the work of others. • Leadership: Proven track record of excellent management and technical leadership skills and ability to delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills. Demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing change initiatives including the analysis of complex human resources, budgetary, financial or administrative management policy and programmatic issues. Demonstrated gender sensitivity, commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing. **QUALIFICATIONS** Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, finance, business administration, management or related fields. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs or communications in large, multicultural institutions as well as programme and project planning and analyses, and budgeting. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage. Other Skills Comprehensive knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations is required. The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. **How to apply** All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2002/4 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. 1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a “My UN” account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. 2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. 3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. 4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: Fax: + Please click to apply online.