Senior Programme Manager (Head of Rising Nations Initiative Secretariat)

Duty station: New York, United States of America

Functional responsibilities

Strategy development & coordination

• Designs and advances a strategy for broadening the support of the UN Member States toward the RNI’s objectives, demonstrating wide support of the international community to the Pacific atoll countries in the context of addressing the existential threat of climate change
• Holds talks with senior officials representing major stakeholders such as governments, international and regional organizations, relevant academic and research institutions, as well as potential donors and corporate sponsors for the purposes of facilitating and forming implementing partnerships.
• Coordinates relevant partners communications ensuring all stakeholders are aware of the project activities and proactively support and enable project outputs
• Leads the engagement of UN Member States to identify and grow a group of champions to advocate and facilitate the efforts of the RNI at the regional and global levels
• Raises the profile of the RNI by making public appearances and taking part in international conferences, high-level meetings, senior management meetings, and working groups within the UN System.

Team Management

• Provides clear and effective leadership to the RNI secretariat, being responsible and accountable for the administration and direction of its work.
• Ensures all operational structures, systems, and processes are in line with UNOPS policies and procedures.
• Fosters a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensures that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Manages secretariat staff, including staff recruitment, development, and evaluation.

Expert approach

• Provides expert advice on achieving project outputs
• Ensures the appropriate technical and subject-matter expertise is incorporated in project activities
• Identifies emerging policy issues pertaining to the RNI and analyzes implications on the work of the RNI and makes recommendations on possible strategies
• Oversees the preparation of reports on RNI activities

Project management

• Provides strategic guidance and oversees the management of project activities under purview, including managing the RNI Fund and processes for personnel recruitment, procurement, budget management, and stakeholder communications – ensuring adherence to UNOPS policies and procedures
• Establishes annual work plans and sets objectives, supports performance management, defines standards, and expected results in collaboration with other project teams
• Directs and oversees the organizing and planning of RNI activities, including the COP, and other conferences, meetings, and activities.

Communications

• Advises and leads on relevant communication efforts that bring clarity to the purpose of the political declaration as a basis to advance RNI objectives
• Oversees website content, social media activities, and publication activities, including outreach materials, to raise global awareness and build global momentum for the RNI
• Drafts speeches and statements for RNI’s high-level public appearances, media engagements, and publications

Impact of Results

The effective and successful performance by the Head of Secretariat directly impacts the positioning of the RNI in securing the support of the international community toward a new precedence of protection for the statehood of Pacific atoll countries, preservation of their sovereignty, and safeguarding of the culture and heritage of affected populations in the face of the existential threat of rising sea level.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) preferably in International Relations or Public Policy or other relevant fields is required.
• Two (2) additional years of relevant experience, in combination with a relevant first-level university (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), may substitute for the requirement of a master’s degree.

Required Work Experience:

• At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in programme/project management and/or strategy is required.
• Experience in identifying, strengthening, and leveraging relationships with Member States, UN System, and non-State actors to help advance policy objectives is required.

Desired Experience (The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply):

• Experience in coalition building and coordination of partnerships and initiatives, preferably in climate, environmental or sustainable development is desired.
• Experience in intergovernmental processes, including at the UN, with a track record of working in multilateral negotiations is desired.
• Familiarity with climate and economic analytical tools as well as major data sources of climate science, environmental, and economic information (e.g. IPCC, World Bank) is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with climate and economic analytical tools as well as major data sources of climate science, environmental, and economic information (e.g. IPCC, World Bank) is considered an asset.
• Experience effectively synthesizing and communicating technical and policy findings in a clear and concise manner to colleagues internally and to external non-technical audiences, including through producing briefing, speeches and strategy papers for seniors is desired.
• Experience briefing and providing strategic advice to senior principals is desired.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.