Chief, Strategic Planning and Policy Service, D1

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the security management system to enable the programmes and activities of the United Nations System. This post is in the Strategic Planning and Policy Service (SPPS) in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security (OUSG). Under the general guidance of the Under-Secretary-General (USG), who is responsible for formulating the primary vision, strategic and policy direction for the UN Security Management System (UNSMS), and the direct supervision of the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG), the Chief of SPPS serves as principal adviser to UNDSS on these matters and manages and directs the work of the service, with responsibility for the overall smooth functioning of the Service.

 

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Service formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Service, oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Service, provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and coordinates work in the different areas both within the Service and Department, and with other organizations of the UNSMS, as appropriate. She/He:

• Advises and provides support to the Department in planning, developing, analysing, communicating, enhancing the understanding of and overseeing strategic security management concepts, policies, guidelines, compliance, evaluation and best practices required for the UNSMS based on lessons-learned/best-practices, ensuring the strategic alignment of the SPPS work programme to operations in the field and the overall vision of the department and programmatic framework and delivery of services for the Department and UNSMS members, with a view to mainstreaming safety and security into the programmes and activities of the UN system. Oversees and ensures that policy manuals and guidelines are kept up-to-date and readily available to staff and consults with relevant stakeholders as to the appropriate integration into security training. • Liaises with Senior Security Managers/Security Focal Points of the UNSMS and coordinates ad-hoc working groups. Reviews/revises existing security management policies. Maintains effective coordination, consults and negotiates with interlocutors. Responds to requests for advice and/or information from stakeholders. • Responsible for, under the strategic direction of Senior Management, the development of safety and security policies. • Monitors and evaluates the implementation of, and compliance with, UNSMS policies and framework, procedures and guidelines; coordinates strategic and thematic evaluations and promotes knowledge management, including lessons learned and best practices in safety and security-related matters. • Provides input and reports to intergovernmental bodies on programmatic/substantive issues related to policy and compliance, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. Undertakes the coordination, production, quality assurance and timely submission of departmental input of substantive reports to legislative bodies. Conducts and participates in policy-related courses and seminars across the UN system. • Serves as DSS focal point for the Secretary-General's strategic policy development, managing requisite input into draft papers and the implementation of decisions of the Secretary-General. • Serves as Secretary of the Inter-Agency Security Management Network (IASMN) and manages the substantive preparation and organization of its meetings. • Liaises with United Nations oversight bodies, and coordinates departmental responses to and cooperation with relevant audits and enquiries; • Develops and monitors key performance indicators to support strategic planning and decision-making and acts as focal point for coordinating and providing advice and relevant information in relation to enterprise risk management; • Develops, coordinates and supports the implementation of a departmental communications strategy; plans, coordinates and develops communications products and content management in line with the Department's communications strategy; • Supports senior leadership on the strategic direction, planning and coordination for the Department, including support to senior leadership and the divisions with the coordination of the corporate governance framework, enterprise risk management, audit, oversight bodies and strategic partnerships, including engagement with Member States as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations, regional and sub-regional organizations and intergovernmental bodies, academics, think tanks, and civil society, with a view to share information and broaden collaboration on security-related issues; • Manages and supervises the work of the service covering strategic planning and oversight, policy and coordination; gender and inclusivity, compliance, evaluation and monitoring and communications, including the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Service, preparing the work programme of the Service, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery, preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance; manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries. • Accompanies the USG/ASG in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other organizations and represents the Service and Department at meetings and in legislative bodies as required. • Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Liaises, consults and maintains ongoing relationships with stakeholders and other organizational units within the Department. • Performs other duties as required.  

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills as well as strong strategic planning skills and vision including making decisions and implementing strategies; demonstrates knowledge and experience in policy development, ability to develop and articulate policy and conceptual frameworks; excellent drafting ability and well developed communications skills essential; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and possesses strong communication skills; 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 the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. 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. 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 improvement; 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.  

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, public administration, law, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience within the United Nations or similar International Organizations or public sector is required. Of these 15 years, at least 5 years of experience in leading/managing diverse groups of individuals is required. At least 5 years of experience in dealing with legislative and policy bodies is required. At least 5 years of experience at the international level in a culturally diverse environment is required. Experience in policy analysis, development and writing is required. Experience in inter-agency or cross-functional coordination is desirable. Experience in working on gender, diversity and/or inclusion-related projects within the United Nations or similar International Organizations or public sector is desirable. At least two years of experience of field operations is desirable. Experience in the field of security policy or security management is desirable.

 

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

 

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

 

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is taking efforts to improve gender parity, including full implementation of the UN-wide, and Departmental Gender Strategies. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in the security and operations field. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. 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 appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 29 February 2020, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. The selection process for this job opening will be conducted pursuant to ST/AI/2010/3 on the "Staff Selection System" and include the compliance review process by a review body described in staff rule 4.15. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuance governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.  

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. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Tags: Department of Safety and Security