Org. Setting and Reporting

The post is located in the Front Office of the Office of the Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva. The incumbent will report to the Chef de Cabinet.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Chef de Cabinet, the incumbent will: I. Provide substantive support and policy advice to the Director-General • Provides dedicated substantive support and policy advice to the Director-General (DG) in the discharge of her responsibilities as Executive Head of UNOG. • Identifies emerging issues and monitors trends relating to the DG’s mandate, undertakes research and provides analysis and recommendations on possible action. • Contributes to strategic and policy planning, including reviewing, coordinating and preparing policy notes, formulating options to address complex issues and developing strategic proposals. • Provides policy advice and supports to the DG in connection with meetings, including contributing to compilation of background notes, briefing papers and talking points, as well as preparing notes on the meetings and as required, drafting reports/notes to the Secretary-General and/or senior United Nations officials on the results, including providing advice on any recommendations in this respect. • Assists the Chef de Cabinet in planning and organizing the DG’s missions, including in her capacity as the Secretary-General’s representative; provides advice, preparing talking points and background material, as necessary; accompanies the DG, as requested. • As requested, contributes to the planning and preparation of the Secretary-General’s visits, including as necessary, providing suggested background material and drafts talking points for the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and takes notes in the Secretary-General’s meetings, as required. • Drafts, or supervises the drafting of, speeches, substantive correspondence, memoranda, notes verbales and other communications for the DG’s signature, including material of a confidential nature. • As requested, prepares talking points and/or background material for the Director-General’s participation in the regular meetings of the Senior Management Group and other coordinating mechanisms. • As requested, represents the ODG on UNOG-wide task forces and working groups. • Acts as Secretary of the weekly UNOG Senior Management Meetings and the DG’s daily bilateral meetings with senior management, including coordinating/preparing talking points and summaries and monitoring follow-up on action points. • Acts as focal point for the DG’s Senior Manager’s Compact with the Secretary-General, liaising with UNOG Divisions and Services, as well as UNHQ, and monitors progress against plans. II. Coordinate the planning and implementation of the Director-General’s communications & outreach, event organization and partnership-building activities • Coordinates the development and monitors the implementation of the DG’s communication strategy across various platforms, including social media and the UNOG website. Additionally, prepares or oversees the drafting of key messages and content tailored for a wide array of communications. • Acts as focal point for events at UNOG, or other venues, with the DG’s participation. • Maintains liaison with counterparts within the United Nations system, other international organizations, Permanent Missions, academic and research institutions, and other stakeholders. • Contributes to the internal communication at UNOG, ensuring staff stay connected and aligned with the DG’s vision and strategic objectives, particularly through initiatives such as Town Hall meetings, broadcast messages to staff and regular updates on iSeek. • Manages special communication and outreach projects tailored to advance the DG’s priorities. III. Assist the Chef de Cabinet in the administration and management of the Office of the Director-General (ODG) • Serves as ODG Certifying Officer for Umoja transactions (travel requests, expense reports, purchase orders, leave requests, service entry sheets, consultancy contracts, etc.). • Participates in the annual ODG budget preparation and financial oversight, regularly tracking expenditures to ensure alignment with budget allocations and strategic objectives. • Participates in the recruitment of new staff members and other human resources related activities. • Contributes to compilation and drafting of correspondence, memos and other communications relating to the full range of administrative and management issues for the ODG. • Assists the Chef de Cabinet in the formulation and implementation of the ODG work plan, including monitoring progress against targets. • Contributes to the continuous development and strengthening of office procedures and practices. IV. Support the development, implementation and management of programmes and special projects for which the Director-General is responsible • Participates in the development, implementation and management of events, programmes and special projects of the Office of the Director-General, including extra-budgetary projects such as the Portail des Nations project and the SDG Lab. • Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. • Carries out other ad hoc tasks, as may be required by the DG or the Chef de Cabinet.

Competencies

Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of political issues as they relate to the United Nations including with respect to the Organization’s work with regional organizations and inter-agency affairs. Solid knowledge of the work of the United Nations and of the functioning of the United Nations system is essential. Demonstrated ability to provide policy advice and recommendations on political issues to high-level officials. Ability to produce analytical reports and papers on political trends and their implications for the United Nations, and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to develop and maintain contacts with a variety of stakeholders relevant to the political work of the Organization. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. 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. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in international relations, political science, public policy, public administration, communications, or related fields is required. A first-level or advanced degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in any fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in international affairs, coordination, programme management or similar fields is required. At least 5 years of experience providing policy advice and helping senior officials articulate policy is required. Experience organizing high-level events is desirable. Experience working with Umoja or similar ERP system is desirable. Experience preparing and coordinating substantive reports, such as annual reports, is desirable. Experience in the UN Common System is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French are required. Knowledge of Russian is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.