Head of Office, Economic Affairs

Org. Setting and Reporting

The post is located at the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) in Nagoya, Japan, a Research and Training Centre of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations. UNCRD was established in 1971 based on the agreement between the UN and the Government of Japan dated 18 June 1971. The objectives of the UNCRD are: to serve as a training and research centre in regional development and planning and related fields for developing countries; to provide advisory services in regional development and planning and related fields at the request of developing countries; to assist developing countries in promoting the exchange of data on research, practical experience, teaching, and other relevant subjects in regional development and planning and related fields; and to assist and cooperate with other organizations, national or international, concerned with regional development and planning and related fields. The Head of Office (UNCRD) reports to the Chief of the National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch and under the overall guidance of the Director of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG), DESA.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Chief, National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch, the incumbent will assume the overall responsibility for the substantive direction and overall management of the Centre, ensuring the implementation of the Centre’s strategic vision and programme of work that is closely aligned with UN DESA’s mandate. More specifically, the incumbent will:

• Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Centre. Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Centre, with the objective of assisting developing countries to translate the outcomes of major international summits on sustainable development into national development plans, strategies and policies. Particular thematic focus of the activities of the Centre will be the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals at regional and national level.
• Lead, supervise, and carry out the development and implementation of the work programme of the Centre, with an emphasis on implementing national and regional development programmes and conducting capacity-building activities to assist developing countries, set out the Centre’s overall vision that is aligned with UN DESA’s mandate. Ensures achievement of programmatic targets and timelines and adherence to budgetary provisions.
• Coordinate the work carried out by different work units of the Centre and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provide programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
• Ensure that capacity building programmes and advisory services are responsive to needs and requests from beneficiaries; training materials are of high quality and relevance; logistical and support arrangements are provided in line with UN standards; research reports and publications are objective, fact-based, and coherent; resource persons combine high technical expertise with excellent pedagogical skills, and communications are clear and timely.
• Establish a strong communications profile, including through the Centre’s website, publications, annual reports and web-based and other training programmes; ensure on-going liaison with developing country partners, host country and donor representatives, partner organizations in the United Nations System, interregional bodies, and other policy-making organs, as appropriate
• Oversee the development of fundraising proposals that will diversify the Centre’s funding base, with a particular emphasis on projects that relate to the follow-up on the outcomes of major summits on sustainable development and capacity-building requests received from Member States and UN Resident Coordinators Offices.
• Assist in preparing the work programme of the Centre, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Centre, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (ePAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, as well as liaising with donors and host country partners.
• Recruit staff, taking due account of geographical balance.
• Manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision.
• Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Centre and across organizational boundaries.
• Lead and supervise the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Participate in international, regional or national meetings and provide programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Represent the Division at international, regional or national meetings.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences, international relations, environmental policy and planning, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• At least 15 years of work experience in policy research for regional development, particularly in the context of sustainable development is required. Experience in programme formulation and implementation and resource mobilization is required. Experience in conducting research and training programmes on sustainable development, including the development of training manuals and publications, is required. Experience in establishing and mobilizing partnerships and networks, including with donors and local stakeholders, on sustainable development is required. Experience in leading and managing a diverse team on sustainable development programmes is required. Experience in facilitating training and conducting interactive sessions in international settings is desirable. Experience in working in government offices or international organizations at a senior level is desirable. Experience working in developing countries is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in both English and Japanese is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/237632?language=en