Programme officer, L-4

The position is located in the United Nations, secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), in Geneva, Switzerland under the overall guidance of and reporting to the Senior Programme Officer for Policy Development.
 

Duties and responsibilities

•   Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes, projects and tasks, particularly in respect to the application of scientific and technical knowledge for disaster risk reduction; monitors and analyzes programmes/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
•   Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources, including specialized technical information, providing informed summaries and guidance on relevant policy and action.
•   Undertakes policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.
•   Formulates and implements initiatives to develop awareness and commitment to ISDR goals, particularly in respect to international and regional mechanisms concerned with minimising disaster risks associated with floods, storms and other hydrometeorological and oceanic hazards, including through dialogue, collaboration with partner organisations and Government representatives, planning and facilitating workshops, preparation of position papers and talking points, and contributing to UN and other international and regional processes.
•   Organizes and prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background and policy papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
•   Provides substantive support to the ISDR Scientific and Technical Committee and related consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, overseeing logistics, etc.
•   Initiates and coordinates advocacy and outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
•   Leads and/or participates in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
•   Supports and guides senior staff in meetings on specialist topics, including through preparation of speeches and talking points, and presenting on organisational policy positions where required.
•   Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
•   Performs other duties as required.


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:
Sound, creative advice on relevant issues, and thorough, well-reasoned written contributions appropriate to the audience. Development and implementation of work initiatives to support the development of ISDR system’s scientific and technical organisational capacities. Well-managed meetings, projects and tasks, with deliverables provided in timely manner. Adherence to secretariat policies and advocacy messages, and success in motivating targeted groups to address disaster risk reduction matters. Development and achievement of effective working relationships. Efficient use of time and other resources.


Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to implementation of the Hyogo Framework of action and disaster risk reduction in general, especially in respect to scientific and technical aspects of risk assessment, early warning, environmental and geographical factors in risk, and natural hazards such as weather and climate extremes, floods, etc. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. 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 understand organisational structures and motivations, particularly in international settings, and to appropriately tailor interventions to achieve desired results. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Recognises and attentive to the secretariat support role in support of senior staff and partners in meetings and other work processes. 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 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.

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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; 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 a field of science, environment, geography or engineering. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in administration and support of a technical area of disaster risk reduction, including project and programme design promotion and management, international coordination, presentation of technical and policy matters, and active support of high level international processes concerning scientific and technical factors in disaster risk.

Language: Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is 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. Basic knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies, guidelines. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships.

Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.
Diploma of completed University degree may be requested in due course.