Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Mine Action Service, Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, within the Department of Peace Operations in New York. The incumbent operates under the supervision of and reports to the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Rule of Law and Security Institutions.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for the following. • Supports the ASG in ensuring coordination and coherence in implementation of the United Nations Mine Action Service’s (hereinafter referred to as UNMAS) mandates and activities. • Initiates and leads resource mobilization efforts in support of UNMAS programmes and activities through extensive outreach to donors and in accordance with agreed plans and projections. • Contributes to the formulation of UNMAS overall strategies and policies. • Develops and provides advice to the ASG and USG for Peace Operations on policy matters and political issues related to UNMAS mandates. • Represents the Organization at international meetings including those pertaining to international conventions regulating or banning the use of landmines, explosive remnants of war and the use of explosive devices. • Oversees strategic communications and public advocacy to advance the five pillars of mine action globally. • Provides leadership on the development of innovative change management initiatives, including to foster team building and gender-responsiveness. • Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of UNMAS determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely delivery of assistance to affected states and territories, in partnership with other entities of the UN system where relevant. • Oversees the management of programmes and activities undertaken by UNMAS ensuring they are carried out in a timely fashion, integrated within humanitarian, development and peace operation settings as appropriate, and that the work of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility, as part of the Global Protection Cluster, is coordinated. • Oversees the preparation of reports and presentations to intergovernmental bodies (Security Council, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council) including the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance and on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate. • Ensures that the outputs produced by UNMAS maintain high-quality standards and that reports are clear, objective, based on comprehensive data and comply with standards and mandates. • Oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of UNMAS, including preparing budgets, assigning and monitoring performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparing inputs for results-based budgeting and evaluating staff performance. • Oversees the recruitment of staff, with the Deputy, in accordance with geographical and gender balance considerations and other institutional values. • Represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences. • Chairs programmatic, substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of mine action 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, international law or similar). A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the coordination or management of humanitarian, development, or disarmament programmes is required. At least three years of experience managing mine action or humanitarian programmes in conflict-affected countries is required. Experience in strategic planning, programme development, budgeting and resource mobilization, including managing extrabudgetary funds, is required. Experience contributing to intergovernmental processes and providing advice to legislative bodies is desirable. At least two years of experience in senior management positions at international or regional organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.