Senior Programme Management Officer (Chief of Regional Office)

Job Description

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Regional Office will be responsible for the following duties:

• Under the overall guidance of the Director and the SRSG for Disaster Risk Reduction, contributes to the formulation and implementation of the work programme for the Regional Office in line with the UNDRR Strategic Framework and Work Programme, by determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery, in cooperation and co-ordination with UNDRR Headquarters and other offices.
• Oversees and coordinates the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Regional Office, including preparation of work plans and budgets, recruitment of staff, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), and monitoring and reporting on budget/programme performance in the context of results-based management. Ensures that the outputs produced by teams under his/her supervision meet high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data; and that they comply with relevant organizational mandates. Contributes to UNDRR’s global resource mobilization efforts by mobilizing resources from the region.
• Provides policy guidance to the Senior Management of the UNDRR on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of the UNDRR strategic framework. In line with the UNDRR strategic framework and biennial work programme, builds partnerships for broad and focused cooperation towards reducing vulnerability to disasters in the region of Arab States.
• Supports Member States and other disaster risk reduction (DRR) partners in the implementation and monitoring of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk. Identifies, builds and enhances strategic partnerships for national, subregional and regional cooperation with Governments, regional organizations, the private sector, civil society, parliamentarians, and science and technology community at large to mobilize support for sound and coherent action related to disaster risk reduction, and to ensure meaningful involvement and participation of those stakeholders in the development and implementation of effective disaster risk reduction policies, frameworks and programmes.
• Supports and coordinates with the UN Regional Collaborative mechanisms aiming to strengthen UN coherence on disaster risk reduction aligned with the UN Plan of Action and ensures integration of risk reduction policies and programmes through cooperation with the Resident Coordinator system and UN Country Teams.
• Communicates and advocates for the integration of disaster risk reduction as a key element of the sustainable development agenda. Communicates the linkages between climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and makes a compelling case on the importance of reducing disaster risk as a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development. Provides substantive regional input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly, and other policy-making organs as appropriate.
• Liaises with governments and other partners to ensure that the agreed commitments of Regional Platforms for DRR are monitored. Advocates for and supports the Making City Resilient 2030 and diverse thematic networks in the region to foster DRR with the private sector, women, girls, and persons with disabilities through regional counterparts and partnerships.
• When requested, represents the Director and the SRSG in relevant meetings on disaster risk reduction in the region. Provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. Encourages cooperation and facilitates intergovernmental consultation and negotiation.
• Contributes to effective planning and monitoring at the regional and global levels, ensures effective interface with HQ and other regions, and proposes proactively new solutions and approaches.

Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in international relations, social sciences, natural and environmental sciences, government, public administration, public policy, social policy and programmes, social development, community development, risk management or other related disciplines 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 relevant work experience in programme/project management, building strategic alliances and partnerships and resource mobilization is required.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in international organizations such as the United Nations or similar organizations is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in disaster risk reduction is required.
• Experience in engaging senior officials representing national governments, civil society, private sector, and other organizations is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in representation functions with international organizations is desirable.
• At least three (3) years of experience managing offices and people is desirable.
• Work experience in disaster risk reduction in the region is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2025