Senior Liaison Officer (P-5)

Position description

The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria is the international organization setting up the global verification system foreseen under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which is the treaty banning any nuclear-weapon-test explosion or any other nuclear explosion. The Treaty provides for a global verification regime, including a network of 337 stations worldwide, a communications system, an international data centre and on-site inspections to monitor compliance.

Organizational Setting

This position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES). 

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary, to: 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Act as the Secretariat Liaison Representative at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
2. Actively represent and position the Secretariat at meetings, as required, and take substantive responsibility in promoting the Preparatory Commission’s policies and positions in relevant discussions and decisions of intergovernmental and inter-agency bodies of the United Nations system – particularly the First Committee of the UN General Assembly – in close consultations with the relevant Divisions in the Secretariat and the Executive Secretary;
3. Proactively build strong and collaborative working relationships with key interlocutors in the United Nations, with particular emphasis on the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. Report concisely, accurately and promptly on meetings and matters of relevance to CTBTO;
4. Strengthen relationships and information sharing with States Signatories and non-signatories, civil society, the academic and scientific community, the media and the press at UN Headquarters, in close coordination with the relevant Divisions in the Secretariat;
5. Coordinate and facilitate the participation of the Executive Secretary, Preparatory Commission Chairs, Article XIV Co-Presidents  and Secretariat staff in CTBT relevant conferences, symposia and other such meetings at the UN Headquarters in New York;
6. In close cooperation with the Legal and External Relations Division, and the Office of the Executive Secretary, foster closer interaction with the Washington DC community of policymakers; US based think-tanks and US based universities relevant to the Preparatory Commission’s activities;
7. In close coordination with the Office of the Executive Secretary’s Voluntary Contributions Focal Point in the Secretariat, solicit and secure voluntary contributions for selected programmatic activities, including outreach to non-traditional donors;
8. Proactively and independently maintain clear communication channels with the PTS in Vienna and ensure important information is shared promptly with relevant Divisions and staff.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.
   

Education

• Advanced university degree in international relations, social or political science, management, public or business administration or other relevant fields;

Work Experience and Qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant working experience in the field of international relations, external relations, or multilateral diplomacy, preferably in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament, arms control and international security, of which 5 years should preferably have been in a UN diplomatic environment;
• Proven experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis and reporting is required;
• Strong ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment is essential;
• Solid ability to analyze complex issues, identify strategic opportunities and risks, and develop well-informed recommendations;
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative, political sensitivity, tact and excellent judgement, including strong analytical and negotiation skills is essential;

Languages

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential;
• Knowledge of other official CTBTO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is desirable.

 

Competencies

• Professionalism – 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 other 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;
• Planning and organizing – Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; 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;
• Team work – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;
• Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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;
• Creativity – Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches;
• 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 relationships 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 and setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients;
• Commitment to continuous learning – Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve;
• Technological Awareness – Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks, shows willingness to learn new technology.

Application instructions

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