Programme Management Officer (Early Warning for All), P4, Panama

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Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. 

This position is located in the UNDRR Office in Panama City, Panama. The Programme Management Officer will report to the Chief of the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides support in achieving the objectives of the Secretary-General’s Early Warning for All Initiative in the Americas and the Caribbean region. This includes supporting the development and / or overseeing the Implementation Plans of the selected countries, including the development of country gap analysis, country-prioritized implementation plans (including the budget of activities, and identification of leaders for each of them), and project proposals. Particular attention will be devoted to the Disaster Risk Knowledge pillar, under the leadership of UNDRR, and the necessary support to cross-pillar governance arrangements for effective Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS). 
• Ensures collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other Pillar Leads, focusing on areas of joint work, such as regional-level meetings with Member States, private sector partners, and relevant stakeholders. 
• Ensures that the implementation of activities in the framework of the Early Warning for all Initiative (EW4All) are aligned and contributes to reaching Target G of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, in line with the Hazard Taxonomy developed by UNDRR and the International Science Council (ISC). 
• Facilitates the implementation of the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems programmatic work within the region by ensuring collaboration and coordination with UNDRR colleagues, as well as with Resident Coordinator offices (RCOs), United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) and other Pillar Leads of the Initiative and external partners in the designated region. 
• Supports the regional coordination mechanisms for the EW4All initiative, and/or other meetings and events as required within the designated region. 
• Plans, implements and facilitates workshops and other interactive sessions, notably the National Consultative Workshops, and prepares and makes presentations on assigned topics. 
• Proposes policy directives and action plans for addressing political issues related to the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems programmatic work within the region. This includes identifying emerging issues, analyzing their implications, and making recommendations on possible strategies and measures for consideration. 
• Monitors the progress of the EW4All Initiative within the region, tracking its goals, targets, and work program. Makes recommendations to address programmatic performance gaps and work to garner political support for the EW4All Initiative within the region, closely coordinating with headquarters. 
• Provides guidance to external consultants, government official and other stakeholders. 
• Coordinates activities related to the development of funding proposals within the region, including program/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, and financial statement reviews. Ensures the preparation of relevant documents and reports for donors. 
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, relevant to multi-hazard early warning, and anticipatory action etc. 
• Ensures the integration of various UNDRR policies on gender parity, geographic diversity, data strategy, environmental policy, disability inclusion strategy, etc., into the programmatic work of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems within the region. 
• Ensures the development of a strategy for private sector engagement that will provide benefits and contributions to each of the pillars of MHEWS. 
• Performs other duties as required within the regional context.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 & 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, management, economics, natural sciences, development studies or a related field 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. 

Experience building strategic alliances and partnerships, and resource mobilization is required. 

Experience in disaster risk reduction or climate change adaptation is required. 

Experience working in the Americas and Caribbean region is desirable. 

Experience in multi-hazard early warning systems is desirable. 

Experience advocating with governments and other stakeholders on critical issues is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a project post. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. 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. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In line with the overall United Nations policy, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages a positive workplace culture which embraces inclusivity and leverages diversity within its workforce. Measures are applied to enable all staff members to contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the organization, including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies and standards of conduct. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher, temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

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.

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