Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section of the Sustainable Transport Division of the Economic Commission for Europe, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the P-5, Chief, Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section (VRTIS), and the overall supervision of the D-1, Director, Sustainable Transport Division.

Responsibilities

• Acts as secretary to the Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP) and provides expert assistance to it in the development of vehicle regulations in the legal framework of the Agreements of 20 March 1958, 13 November 1997 and 25 June 1998. This involves: (a) Preparing and reviewing working documents (proposing harmonized technical requirements for the design and construction of motor vehicles, their parts and equipment), drafting agendas and reports of the sessions, servicing the meetings and undertaking follow- up actions. (b) Liaison with the representatives of the Contracting Parties to the Agreements and of governmental and non-governmental organizations participating at the meetings. (c) Providing technical and legal assistance to GRSP to clarify complex issues on passive safety requirements of vehicles to reconcile varying points of view and to find compromise solutions. • Performs the technical, legal and administrative functions related to the Agreement of 25 June 1998, which is administered by WP.29 and which encompasses the Compendium of Candidates for global technical regulations and the Global Registry of global technical regulations. This includes: (a) Analyzing and evaluating national vehicle regulations, standards and recommendations proposed to be listed in the Compendium of Candidates, and preparation of the relevant documentation; (b) Maintaining and updating the Compendium of Candidates in accordance with the Agreement; be established in the Global Registry and preparation of the relevant documentation; (c) Analyzing and evaluating the Candidate global technical regulations and attached documentation to be established in the Global Registry in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, including the preparation of the documentation related to the amendments of the global technical regulations established in the Global Registry; (d) Maintaining and updating the Global Registry in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, including the preparation of the documentation related to the amendments of the global technical regulations established in the Global Registry; (e) Issuing Official Notifications to the Contracting Parties to the Agreement concerning every change in the Compendium of Candidates and in the global technical regulations established in the Global Registry, as well as in the process of adoption and application by Contracting Parties; (f) Ensuring that all documents related to the regulations listed in the Compendium of Candidates and the global technical regulations established in the Global Registry are made publicly available; • Assists the Chief of the Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section in the preparation of the sessions of the Administrative Committee (AC.3) of the 1998 Agreement. This involves: (a) Preparing the voting table and ensuring its completion with regard to new Contracting Parties to the 1998 Agreement, new global technical regulations and new amendments to the existing global technical regulations submitted to voting by all the Working Parties. (b) Assisting the Secretary of WP.29 during the AC.3 session. (c) Drafting the sections of the WP.29 reports, which are related to AC.3 • Contributes to the analytical and capacity building activities related to passive safety to support transport policies development to reduce road casualties that includes: (a) Cooperation with UN Member States in the collection of transport data, as well as with the monitoring of vehicle safety and the evaluation of policies to improve it; (b) Cooperation with other UN Agencies and International Organizations on transport and vehicle passive safety relevant to the post. • Assists the Chief of the Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section in the consolidation of the legal textes of the Regulations under the responsibilities of GRSP. • Assists the Chief of the Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section as a focal point of pillar three (safer vehicles) of the decade of action for road safety and its follow up. • Contributes to multi-disciplinary activities relevant to vehicle passive safety. Represents the secretariat at conferences, workshops, working groups and meetings of other international organizations in the field of vehicle safety to transmit or receive information relevant to the World Forum and its subsidiary Working Parties.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of automotive active and passive safety, anti-theft provisions and other regulatory aspects. Knowledge of technical vocabulary in the automotive field. Ability to apply analytical skills and to participate in scientific projects, including preparation of cost estimates, project documentation and providing project oversight. Ability to conduct independent research on automotive related topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and analyse engineering data of significant depth and complexity. 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. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. 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. 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. 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.

Education

Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in mechanical engineering or related area is required, preferably in automotive engineering. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least 5 years of professional experience with progressively growing responsibility in the automotive / transport area is required. Experience in servicing relevant international meetings, including the drafting of reports is desirable. Experience in a governmental or international organization 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 French is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for two months from 1 November until 31 December 2024. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31st August 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Angola,Belize,Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,Dominica,Equatorial Guinea,Grenada,Guinea-Bissau,Kiribati,Lao People’s Democratic Republic,Liechtenstein,Marshall Islands,Nauru,Palau,Papua New Guinea,Qatar,Sao Tome and Principe,Timor-Leste,Tuvalu,United Arab Emirates,Vanuatu,Andorra,Antigua and Barbuda,Bahrain,Brunei Darussalam,China,Cuba,Germany,Hungary,Indonesia,Israel,Japan,Kuwait,Libya,Malta,Micronesia (Federated States of),Monaco,Oman,Panama,Paraguay,Republic of Korea,Saint Lucia,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,Saudi Arabia,Singapore,Solomon Islands,Somalia,Turkmenistan,United States of America.

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.