Programme officer, L-3 (public awareness and communications)

The position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), in Panama City, Panama under the overall guidance of the Director and in coordination with the Regional Coordinator for the Americas and the Regional Support Coordinator, Geneva. The Programme Officer will report to the Regional Coordinator for the Americas.

Duties and responsibilities

Facilitate the development of the ‘Global Network of NGOs for Disaster Risk Reduction’, liaise with the Chairman and the Steering Group of the Global Network and provide backstopping of activities as required. Organise and convene NGO meetings and consultations with relevant stakeholders, encourage broader participation in the network and ensure overall balanced civil society representation.

Participate, on behalf of the UN/ISDR secretariat, in international conferences and other events relevant to NGOs and to the activities of the Global Network.

Keep regular contacts with NGOs for advocacy and outreach purposes. Promote sharing of information and knowledge. Facilitate NGOs’ access to PreventionWeb mailing lists and other online services and sources of information. Support the UN/ISDR secretariat’s high-level advocacy by providing access to high-level representatives from non-governmental and civil society organisations. Coordinate the compilation of case studies and good practices in community-based disaster risk reduction and other relevant publications.
Serve as the focal point within the UN/ISDR secretariat for local government authorities and urban risk reduction issues. Facilitate the development of a global network of local government authorities for disaster risk reduction. Take stock of existing initiatives and networks; identify gaps, challenges and opportunities for developing a global network and other partnerships with local authorities to support local-level implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action. Organise and facilitate meetings and consultations with local authorities and other stakeholders as required.

Build the ownership and leadership of local authorities and facilitate their systematic engagement in the activities of the UN/ISDR secretariat. Raise awareness of and encourage the active role of local authorities in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction. Facilitate sharing of information and knowledge among local authorities, including through the collection of case studies on urban risk reduction and other relevant documents and publications.

Prepare written outputs (e.g. draft background and concept papers, reports and various inputs to publications) as required while performing the above duties.

Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, including civil society and local authorities’ inputs to the next session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, undertake outreach activities and make presentations on assigned topics/activities.
Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Staff at all levels, within UN/ISDR and the disaster risk reduction community as well as national counterparts. Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies; member state personnel with responsibility for disaster risk reduction; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.

Results Expected:
Development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of assigned programme and initiatives. Provision of thorough, well reasoned contributions (e.g. background papers, analysis, sections of reports/studies, inputs to publications, etc.) Development and maintenance of effective working relationships. Efficient use of resources.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to implementation of the Hyogo Framework of action and disaster risk reduction, especially as related to the role of non-governmental and civil society organisations, as well as local government authorities. Conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Demonstrates professional competence, is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; 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; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant field of work, including project or programme management, administration or related area.

Language: Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is highly desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Other desirable skills: Familiarity with disaster risk reduction, the ISDR system and its partners and the Hyogo Framework for Action. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Previous experience in facilitating partnerships and networks. Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with different stakeholders, particularly NGOs and local government representatives.