Deputy Executive Secretary, Programme

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 21 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonisation of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This post is located within the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Deputy Executive Secretary will provide assistance to the Executive Secretary in the management of ESCWA and reports directly to the Executive Secretary.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Executive Secretary will be responsible for carrying out the following duties: • Assists the Executive Secretary in directing and managing major programmes of the Commission’s substantive programme of work; • Contributes to the formulation of the Commission’s substantive strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, as an advisor to the Executive Secretary; • Assists the Executive Secretary in supervising and providing leadership to all ESCWA Programme Managers, in particular on the coordination and effective formulation, implementation and evaluation of the Commission’s substantive policies and programmes; • Assists the Executive Secretary in formulating development policies and strategies for consideration by governmental, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in Arab States; • Assists the Executive Secretary in overseeing the management of substantive activities undertaken by the Commission, and coordinates the work of the substantive divisions to ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Commission and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies on substantive issues; • Initiates action to enhance the Commission’s substantive relations with the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and other regional organizations on substantive issues; • Ensures that the outputs produced by ESCWA maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Divisions under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates; • Ensures the effective implementation by substantive divisions of actions required by the Secretariat on the resolutions and decisions of the Commission, and other intergovernmental organizations; • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Divisions and across organizational boundaries; • Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; and as assigned by the Executive Secretary represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on relevant issues; • Acts as Officer-in-Charge of the Commission responsible for the overall functioning of the secretariat during the absence of the Executive Secretary as needed; • Performs other related duties as requested by the Executive Secretary.

Competencies

Professionalism: Expert substantive knowledge in socio-economic development issues, challenges and opportunities in Arab States; ability to guide the development of normative work, the provision of advisory support, and the production of reports and papers on socio-economic issues; expertise in overseeing and ensuring quality assurance in ESCWA’s work. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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. 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

An advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in the following areas: Business, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences, political science, international relations, law, public administration or in a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

A PhD in economics is desirable. A PhD in any of the other aforementioned fields is desirable.

Work Experience

At least fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the management and analysis of socio-economic development issues is required. At least ten years of experience in the management of development programmes at the regional and/or international level is required. At least ten years of experience in conducting intergovernmental negotiating processes is required. Experience in research and publishing research on socio-economic development issues is required. Experience in handling a multidisciplinary portfolio of tasks and duties is required. At least five years of experience in international organizations is desirable. At least ten years of experience in development work including vulnerable groups in the Arab States is desirable. Experience in fundraising and dealing with regional and sub-regional donor organizations and/or national government authorities in the region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified applicants may include one or more assessments which will be followed by a competency-based interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

The recommendation or selection decision for this position shall be void if the recommended or selected candidate does not obtain a clearance according to ST/SGB/2005/7 on designation of staff members performing significant functions in the management of financial, human or physical resources. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 29 Feb 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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 letter. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.