Chief of Section, Programme Management, P5

Position description

Responsibilities

The Chief of Section, Senior Programme Management Officer will be responsible for management of the Section and effectively lead the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting and related activities of the OCHA People Strategy 2021-2026. The Chief of Section, Senior Programme Management Officer will perform the following duties:

• Takes the lead to, implement, monitor and evaluate the OCHA People Strategy including assigned programmes/projects, etc.; in the areas of organizational culture, diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism, duty of care, staff wellbeing and learning and development; directs subordinates in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment of staff wellbeing and identifies/proposes appropriate programmes and remedial action; determines priority activities to be funded and implemented; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions;
• Ensures implementation of staff development and career support, diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism (DEIA) programmes and gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels;
• Directs research and programme evaluation and presents information gathered from diverse sources;
• Identifies good practices and lessons learned in other organizations in the areas of duty of care, organizational culture, staff wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion and applies them to the work;
• Identifies and analyzes staff development and career support needs and designs programmes to meet identified needs;
• Coordinates the full revision to the approach and vision of the Learning Development Programme, reviews the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies;
• Leads and undertakes survey initiatives to enhance support for the work of the Section; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions;
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.;
• Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Leads field missions, including preparation, provision of guidance to external consultants, and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.;
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.);
• Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; Guides, evaluates and mentors staff;
• May perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the Section’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Strong people and partnership management skills. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs. Excellent drafting skills in English and strong attention to detail. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender and diversity perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work, as well as consideration for diversity, inclusion and anti-racism; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing;
• 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field is required. 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 progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration, humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, development or related area is required;
• Previous experience working on staff development and welfare programmes in a multicultural setting is desirable;
• Demonstrated leadership experience in leading diverse teams in field-based operations in the UN or multilateral organizations settings is desirable;
• Four (4) years of international field experience in the last ten (10) years in a humanitarian setting is desirable.

Languages

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

Application instructions

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