Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) at Headquarters in New York. The incumbent reports to the Under-Secretary-General (USG). UNOCT was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for the following:
- Provides overall direction to and management of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) within UNOCT under the guidance of the Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism in his role as UNCCT Executive Director.
- Utilizes a results-oriented approach to ensure transparency and the fulfilment of the functions of UNCCT.
- Provides guidance on the implementation of UNCCT’s work programme including strategies, projects and other initiatives for immediate and long-term action;
- Supports the USG in ensuring coordination and coherence with regard to implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the mandate of UNOCT as established in General Assembly Resolution 71/291.
- Acts as Officer-in-Charge during the absence of the USG and represents the USG in meetings as requested or directed by the USG. Maintains close liaison and coordination with Member States and funding partners with respect to the objectives and the programme of work of the UNCCT, especially with the chair and members of the UNCCT Advisory Board.
- Supports the efforts of Member States in the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy through the provision of UNCCT global programmes and projects.
- Engages senior government and regional officials, the diplomatic community, leaders of civil society and other stakeholders on UNCCT programme, projects, initiatives and other activities in order to achieve enhanced collaboration and information exchange concerning the implementation of the Strategy, while keeping senior leadership informed.
- Provides leadership to the development of innovative and/or change management programmes.
- Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Centre under his/her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Centre maintain high-quality standards and that donor and other reports are clear, timely, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the office/division under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
- Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Centre, 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, interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.
- Oversees the recruitment of staff of the Centre taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
- Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Centre and across organizational boundaries.
- Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
- Performs other related duties as requested by the senior leadership of the Organization.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Demonstrated experience in formulating, implementing, and evaluating counter-terrorism strategies and programmes, with a proven ability to navigate the complexities and sensitivities associated with such initiatives. Proven track record of successful leadership and management in complex, multicultural environments, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including national governments, regional organizations, civil society, and the private sector. Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. 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.
- 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.
- 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 or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project management in the field of counter-terrorism or related area, including at least five years at the international level, is required.
- Experience managing intergovernmental processes, supporting policy and programme development, providing capacity building assistance, and managing projects is required.
- Experience in strategic planning, programme development, budgeting, and resource mobilization, with particular emphasis in mobilizing and managing extrabudgetary funds is required.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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