PROTOCOL OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Protocol and Liaison Service, Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, New York. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Protocol.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the Protocol Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties: • Provides protocol coverage to meetings and events involving the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, both at and away from Headquarters, as well as to visits to the United Nations by high-level dignitaries. • Liaises with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and the Office of the President of the General Assembly on the organization of bilateral meetings with foreign dignitaries. • Assists with bilateral meetings, liaises with Member States to confirm arrangements and coordinates with UN Security. Makes arrangements for other aspects of the meetings such as flags or interpretation. Escorts to and from bilateral meetings. • Assists the Chief of Protocol and, when required, other Protocol Officers, in the organization of official visits by Heads of States, Heads of Government, ministers and other VIPs to the United Nations. Supports the Chief of Protocol in organizing and preparing official visits of the Secretary-General to countries included in his/her portfolio. • Assists in ceremonies for the presentation of letters of credentials / letters of appointment to the Secretary-General by newly appointed Permanent Representatives / Permanent Observers. • Provides the necessary protocol and liaison services in English and Spanish to the Permanent Missions of the countries assigned to him/her, as well as to the United Nations Secretariat and other stakeholders. Advises Permanent Missions, Observer Offices and Secretariat staff on matters of protocol and procedures. • Keeps abreast of government and political developments in the group of countries under his/her responsibility. Maintains up-to-date information on composition of governments of Member States and intergovernmental organizations. • Acts as liaison between Permanent Missions / Observer Offices and the host country for the purpose of facilitating and ensuring the proper registration of the diplomatic and non-diplomatic staff of their offices, including processing requests for diplomatic privileges and immunities and assists with settling other matters (administrative, legal) related therewith. • Evaluates and authorizes applications for registration of delegates from Member States, Observer Officers, Intergovernmental Organizations and Specialized Agencies attending official calendar and other meetings at headquarters and abroad. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: – Knowledge of protocol and/or event management in a governmental or international organization context including knowledge of working with host governments. – Knowledge of norms, rules and customs of international diplomatic protocol, including practices developed within the United Nations System. – Knowledge of administrative procedures and practices of international organizations such as the United Nations. – Familiarity with the United Nations Flag Code and Regulations, United Nations Order of Precedence and United Nations Manual of Protocol. – Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. – Ability to work under pressure. – 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. – Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work 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. 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 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in international relations, political science, public administration 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in protocol, external relations or a related area is required. Experience in an international organization and/or the United Nations System is desirable. Work experience in the area of protocol or event management in a multilateral setting is desirable. Work experience in bilateral protocol or event management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 Nov 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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.

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.