Available UN Post: Chief, Global Policy Advocacy and Regional Cooperation
Department/Office: Convention to Combat Desertification
Duty Station: Bonn
Posting Period: 07 June 2023 – 21 July 2023
Job Opening Number: 211125
Staffing Exercise: N/A
Org. Setting and Reporting
Desertification, climate change, and biodiversity loss were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), established in 1994, is the only legally binding international agreement that connects environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention’s primary aim is to support countries in addressing Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD).
The mission of the Global Policy, Advocacy and Regional Cooperation (GPARC) Unit is to establish the UNCCD as a credible and trusted partner in addressing DLDD. To achieve this goal, the Unit develops and communicates relevant and persuasive policy messages to decision-makers at all levels. It gives special attention to supporting regional-level efforts by Parties to raise the DLDD agenda as a political priority and provide assistance to national implementation efforts.
Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Under Secretary General, Executive Secretary, and direct oversight from the Deputy Executive Secretary, the Chief Global Policy, Advocacy and Regional Cooperation (GPARC) Unit will have the following responsibilities and tasks:
- Strategic and Policy Advocacy: Provides advice and guidance on strategy and policy advocacy to the Executive Secretary, Secretariat, Global Mechanism, and key partners. Acts as the main contact for enhancing the delivery of policy related to DLDD, derived from Country of Parties (COP) decisions and the program of work.
- Relationship Building: Develops and maintains relations with national focal points and senior officials of state Parties to the Convention. Ensures an appropriate response to requests for advice and support on policy matters.
- Policy Analysis: Analyzes critical policy issues related to DLDD, including climate change, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and forestry, drought and water scarcity, disaster risk management, sand and dust storms, migration, gender, and rights-based approaches. Leads research on identifying new and emerging issues and presents actionable recommendations.
- Substantive Contributions: Provides substantive input in the preparation of UNCCD reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, parliamentary documents, etc.
- Collaboration and Partnership: Works with other Units to mainstream prioritized policy issues in different internal workstreams. Collaborates with various Units, particularly with Communication, External Relations and Partnerships (CERP), in identifying, promoting, and developing strategic partnerships.
- Project Management: Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Unit. Ensures timely and high-quality implementation of work programs and activities. Coordinates diverse initiatives and projects in the Unit in collaboration with other UNCCD units, specialized UN organizations, donors, and agencies.
- Administrative Tasks: Carries out programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit. This includes budget preparation, results monitoring and reporting, staff performance evaluation, recruitment, training, and fostering teamwork and communication among staff.
- Additional Responsibilities: Performs any other job-related activities required to achieve the goals and objectives of the unit, sub-unit, program, or secretariat.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Demonstrates proven knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to sustainable development. Ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Communicates organizational direction effectively. Provides innovative technical leadership and produces reports with sound policy recommendations. Shows competence, conscientiousness, and efficiency in meeting commitments and achieving results.
- Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals consistent with strategies. Identifies priority activities, allocates resources, and allows for contingencies. Monitors and adjusts plans as necessary.
- Client Orientation: Considers service recipients as “clients” and strives to understand their perspective. Establishes productive partnerships and matches clients’ needs with appropriate solutions. Keeps clients informed and meets delivery timelines.
- Leadership: Serves as a role model and empowers others to achieve objectives. Develops strategies, establishes relationships, resolves conflicts, and drives change and improvements. Demonstrates commitment to gender balance and inclusion.
- Managing Performance: Makes timely decisions, establishes priorities, coaches and mentors staff, and encourages good performance. Delegates responsibility and holds others accountable. Encourages goal setting and achievement.
Education
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, political sciences, natural sciences, international relations, or related fields.
OR
- First-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
Work Experience
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, project/program management, or resource mobilization in the context of development cooperation or related areas.
- Experience in leading and managing a sizable work unit with at least five international staff.
- Desirable: Five (5) years of experience in an international setting. Experience managing multicultural teams at the country, regional, or global level. Field experience in development cooperation context.
Languages
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
Assessment
- Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
- The initial appointment for this position is for one year, subject to extension based on the availability of funds.
- Individuals who have worked as contractors or consultants within the UNCCD in the past six months, regardless of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions.
United Nations Considerations
- The highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity are essential in the employment of staff, as stated in the Charter of the United Nations. Violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment are grounds for disqualification.
- The United Nations promotes equal opportunity and geographical diversity in its staffing.
- Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request.
- Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be reassigned to different activities or offices of the United Nations.
- Applicants are advised to carefully follow the instructions provided in the online recruitment platform, Inspira.
- Applicants will be evaluated based on the information submitted and are subject to reference checks.
- Job openings will be removed from the Careers Portal at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.