Job title: Chief of Unit
Contract type: Permanent
Percentage: 100%
Location: New York
Employer: Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Reference: 29413
Closing date: 21-01-2014
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Chief of Unit, Economic Affairs, P5
The position of the Chief of the Capacity Development Unit is located in the Financing for Development Office of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The incumbent reports to the Director.
Responsibilities:
Under the general supervision of the Director of the Financing for Development Office, the Chief of Unit will be responsible for the implementation of the work programme of the Unit, including the following functions:
• Plans and oversees the organization of activities undertaken by the Capacity Development Unit, including: preparing the work programme for the Unit, in collaboration with other Units/Branches of the Office and other Divisions and Offices as necessary; determining priorities, assigning responsibilities and allocating resources for the completion of activities and their timely delivery; coordinating activities with other Divisions, other organisations of the United Nations system, donors and agencies, as appropriate.
• Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Unit, including: providing programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others; ensuring that the outputs produced by the Unit maintain high quality standards; and coordinating diverse projects within the Unit.
• Carries out programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit, including the preparation of budgets, reporting on budget, programme and project performance, preparation for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), evaluation and interviewing of candidates for job openings.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit and across Units/Branches within the Office, the Department and across organizational boundaries.
• Undertakes capacity development activities, including: representing the Office at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on technical cooperation activities; participating in international, regional or national meetings and providing substantive and programmatic expertise; overseeing, organizing and convening advisory missions, substantive seminars and training workshops, providing capacity building assistance.
• Takes the lead in resource identification and mobilization.
Competencies:
Professionalism: Thorough understanding of economic issues, international policy-making processes and UN intergovernmental process in the area of Financing for Development; Familiarity with the UN work in the area of international tax cooperation, including the work and outputs of the ECOSOC Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters; Knowledge of institutional arrangements, policies and guidelines at the UN system, especially UN-DESA, pertaining to outreach and capacity development activities; Familiarity with relevant capacity development activities of other Divisions of UN-DESA, UN agencies and other international organizations active in the area of international tax cooperation; Proven record in fund-raising and delivering projects; Knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches, as well as UN processes relevant to results-based budgeting and programme management; 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.
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.
Managerial Competencies:
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
Vision:
Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance or business administration. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience:
A minimum of ten years of post-graduate progressively responsible experience in international development, including experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes, technical cooperation, as well as in the area of programme planning and design are required.
Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.
Assessment Method:
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice:
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
United Nations Considerations:
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). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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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