Chief of Unit, Governing Body and Legal Affairs (GBLA) Vollzeit NEW
Org. Setting and Reporting
The objective of the Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas. The functions of the secretariat are, among others, to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies; to compile and transmit reports submitted to it; to facilitate assistance to affected developing country Parties, on request, in the compilation and communication of information required under the Convention; to coordinate its activities with the secretariats of other relevant international bodies and conventions. This position is located in the Governing Body and Legal Affairs (GBLA) Unit of the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Bonn, Germany. The Chief of Unit, GBLA reports to the Executive Secretary. The Governing Body and Legal Affairs (GBLA) Unit is responsible for the preparation, management and servicing of the sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of UNCCD, the sessions of the UNCCD subsidiary body Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) and other subsidiary organs (mandated expert meetings, COP Bureau meetings etc). The GBLA unit provides legal services to the UNCCD system and is responsible for monitoring the institutional follow-up to the decisions of the intergovernmental processes, preparation of the calendar of meetings, editing and report writing, protocol support and preparation of host country agreements. The GBLA unit manages the editing and posting of all UNCCD publications and is responsible for overseeing that publications comply with the requirements and timelines established.
Responsibilities
The incumbent manages and directs the work of the GBLA Unit in the provision of intergovernmental services to Member Parties' conferences and meetings and monitors the implementation of UNCCD's Parties decisions. The functions include: – Acts as the Secretary of the Conference of the Parties: briefs the President of the session and her/his team on the daily agenda of the COP, presents background documentation for the review of the COP, answers questions of parties and observers on matters under consideration by the COP, oversees the finalization of the report of the COP. – Acts as „Secretary „of the Bureau of the COP, prepares for consideration of the Executive Secretary the provisional agenda in consultation with the Deputy Executive Secretary and Coordinators of the Units. – Acts as the day-to-day liaison between the ES and the President and Vice-Presidents of the COP Bureau. – Maintains liaison, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, with the host country and respective permanent missions. – Advises the ES on alignment of draft of decisions or proposed activities of the Secretariat to UNCCD legislations, COP decisions and UN Regulations – Assists and contributes to the planning and organization of COP and CRIC conferences in matters related to the logistical and related arrangement, including security, protocol. – Coordinates, negotiates and prepares relevant parts of host country agreements (technical annex with logistical support and technical facilities). Participates in planning missions and acts as the overall conference logistics coordinator. Develops and proposes detailed scenarios for UNCCD conferences and meetings. – Reviews the functioning of the intergovernmental processes, makes political and substantive assessment and evaluation of its delivery capacity. – Plans and manages the work of the GBLA Unit and ensures liaison with UNOG and relevant other UN Departments in connection with common services relating to conferences, including security and protocol. – Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries. Innovates and introduces new conference technologies, systems and methods. – Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of GBLA, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (e-performance), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates to ensure that the Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretary receive the required support in an efficient and timely fashion. – Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the UNCCD and as required by the Executive Secretary.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the United Nations and intergovernmental machinery as well as decision-making processes. Knowledge of UNCCD mandate and its activities. Expert in a broad range of conference management matters and programme/project management. Knowledge of relevant United Nations regulations, rules, policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them effectively in a complex international organizational setting. Knowledge of environmental law, legal procedures and instruments, including multilateral environmental agreements. Ability to apply legal expertise to analysing a diverse range of complex legal issues in the field of the environment and in developing innovative and creative legal response in addressing environmental issues. Ability to establish effective diplomatic relations and to build consensus. Understanding and expertise in the conduct of negotiations. 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. 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. 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Education
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, social sciences, political sciences, law or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in conference management and in multilateral diplomacy and multilateral processes is required Five years of experience in activities related to conference servicing in the United Nations system or other intergovernmental organization at the international level is required. At least 4 years of relevant experience in managing a sizeable multi-cultural team is required. Experience in UNCCD process and multi-lateral negotiations is desirable. Professional legal experience in advising on procedural and institutional issues within an intergovernmental organization is desirable.
Languages
For this post, fluency in both English and French language, with excellent drafting skills is required. Working knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment to this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension provided performance is satisfactory and funds are available. The UNCCD is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNCCD recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. UNCCD is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months 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.
