Location: Kenya - Nairobi
DATE OF ISSUANCE: 08 May 2009 ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: United Nations Human Settlement Programme
DUTY STATION: Nairobi
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 09-PGM-UN-HABITAT-421252-R-NAIROBI (G) Remuneration:
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity Responsibilities
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the United Nations agency for human settlements.
It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.
Under the general guidance of the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, and reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, the incumbent will
1. Provide overall leadership to the Secretariat of the Governing Council and the External Relations and Inter-Agency Affairs section.
2. Serve as Secretary to the Governing Council of UN-HABITAT.
3. Serve as Secretary to the World Urban Forum.
4. Serve as Secretary to the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UN-HABITAT
5. Serve as the Chief of Inter-Agency Affairs.
6. Serve as the Chief of External Relations.
7. Serve as Chief of Protocol of UN-HABITAT.
8. Undertake special assignments of a political nature from the Executive Director or the Deputy Executive Director.
He/She will undertake substantial duties relating to all aspects of the preparations for, and efficient servicing of, the Governing Council of UN-HABITAT, its two Sessional Committees and the Drafting Committee.
Prepare the provisional agenda for the session.
After its approval by the Council, prepare a list of the pre-session documents and a schedule for their submission to the Executive Director for approval;
Prepare the Convocation Letters, Notification, Annotations to the agenda, the rules of procedure, the time-table for the session and other organizational documents, such as for the elections etc.;
Prepare and/or review all draft pre-session documents, before submitting them to the Senior Managers and the Executive Director for approval, with a view to ensuring that they are consistent with UN-HABITAT policies and mandate;
thereafter establishing priorities for their editing, translation, reproduction and distribution; Organize the work of the session and coordinate the work of the conference servicing staff viz, conference officers, Secretaries of the Committees, report writers, editor, interpreters, translators, etc.;
Maintain liaison with the Conference Service Departments of the United Nations Office at Nairobi and New York with a view to ensuring the optimum servicing of meetings held at the headquarters of UN-HABITAT in Nairobi and outside the Nairobi headquarters;
Prepare notes for the President of the Governing Council on each agenda item on the basis of which the President conducts the meetings;
Handle legal and/or procedural issues that arise during sessions of the Council;
Follow-up on the implementation of decisions of the Governing Council and relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and ECOSOC by:
Advising the Executive Director on the proposed actions to be taken and the officer(s) to be designated as responsible for such actions;
Monitoring the implementation of decisions of the Governing Council and of GA and ECOSOC resolutions of relevance to UN-HABITAT and ensuring that the reports to be prepared pursuant to these Resolutions are actually prepared and submitted to the relevant Legislative body;
Calling to the attention of the Executive Director and the Senior Managers any delays or bottle-necks in the implementation of specific decisions and resolutions and proposing remedial action.
As the Chief of Inter-Agency Affairs the incumbent will Develop UN-HABITAT's strategic plan and long-term programme of cooperation with other relevant UN organizations and agencies and advise the Executive Director on policy guidance to programme coordinators with particular emphasis on streamlining reporting requirements on issues related to cross-cutting programme coordination within the UN system;
Coordinate the preparation of follow-up action to decisions taken by inter-agency and inter-governmental bodies and which are of relevance to the work of UN-HABITAT;
Monitor the governing bodies of UN agencies and their consideration of human settlements matters by reviewing decisions taken in this field and bringing relevant decisions to the attention of the Executive Director;
and prepare the report of the Executive Director on inter-agency/inter-governmental cooperation for submission to the Governing Council.
As Chief of External Relations ensure the enhancement of UN-HABITAT's general and good relationship with Governments and their Permanent Missions to UN-HABITAT.
Specifically liaise with Governments and Permanent Missions with respect to their enquiries on all matters concerning the work of UN-HABITAT and of the Governing Council;
Organize informal briefing meetings between the Executive Director and Permanent Representatives to UN-HABITAT on specific activities of UN-HABITAT;
Prepare briefs for the Executive Director for her official visits to Governments and for her use during the presentation of credentials by Permanent Representatives to UN-HABITAT;
Maintain and up-date the mailing list to Governments especially Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representatives to UN-HABITAT;
and Undertake special assignments of a political nature from the Executive Director.
As Chief of Protocol be responsible for all protocol matters during all official functions involving Government dignitaries and senior UN officials;
and ensure that all official letters to Governments, especially to Ministers and Heads of State, observe proper diplomatic language and format.
Competencies
Professionalism:
Analytical knowledge in the area of International Relations and International Diplomacy; proven ability to draft sensitive reports and briefing notes for the Executive Director, the chair of the Governing Council and the chair of the CPR of the Governing Council and other high level dignitaries; Ability to review and edit the work of others;
Planning and organizing:
Proven ability to plan and organize inter-governmental conferences and international forums; requiring an in-depth knowledge of the rules of procedure; Ability to identify key strategic issues opportunities and risks; clearly able to communicate links between the Organizations strategy and the goals of the unit.
Communication:
Excellent drafting abilities and communication skills, both oral and written , ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to members of inter-governmental bodies and senior officials;
proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.
Teamwork: Good inter-personal skills; demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavor.
Managing Performance:
Ability to lead and supervise staff.
Ability to coach, mentor and develop staff.
Capacity to motivate staff and encourage good performance; co-ordinate and monitor the work of others.
QUALIFICATIONS
EducationAdvanced (post-graduate) University degree preferably in international relations or in government, law or political science; or a first university degree with a relevant combination of professional and accademic qualifications.
Work Experience
At least fifteen years' experience with an International organization.
UN experience is desirable.
Experience in running United Nations meetings/Conferences, drafting official documentation. Background in the diplomatic service is an asset.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English with a good working knowledge of French is desired.
Other Skills
Comprehensive knowledge of UN protocol, policies and report writing;
Extensive experience in dealing with ambassadors and other high level dignitaries desirable.
Excellent Administrative and Managerial skills.
The United Nations shall place 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.
(Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).
English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES).
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
How to apply
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.
Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received.
In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account.
Go to Login, and Register as a User.
Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.
After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided.
Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications.
The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.
UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number.
In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.E-mail: Recruitment@unon.org, Fax: 254-20-762-4212
Closing date: 07 Jul 2009
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