Job Title: Description: CHIEF, DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
SECTION, P5
Department/ Office: Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific
Duty Station: BANGKOK
Posting Period: 21 September 2012-20 November 2012
Opening number: 12-ECO-ESCAP-25228-R-BANGKOK(G)
Org. Setting and
Reporting
The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation
for inclusive economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region.
ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is
to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical
cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the
Asian and Pacific region.
The objective of the Information and Communications
Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction subprogramme of ESCAP is to promote
applications of information and communications technology and to enhance
regional cooperation for improved disaster risk reduction and management, as
well as for improved management of the associated socio-economic risks, for
inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.
This position is located in the Disaster Risk Reduction
Section (DRS), in the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster
Risk Reduction Division (IDD). The incumbent reports to the Chief of IDD.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of IDD, the
incumbent is required to perform the following functions:
1. Lead the
conceptualization, design, planning, implementation and evaluation of the
ESCAP's disaster risk reduction (DRR) vision, strategy and work plan in support
of the ESCAP's overall strategic objectives, taking into account the work of
key regional partners in this field;
2. Identify emerging
disaster risk reduction challenges in the region, as well as organize and
conduct of studies for analyzing options of strategies, policies and plans for
addressing those challenges;
3. Coordinate
policy development; lead the preparation, review and evaluation of ESCAP’s
policy documentation related to all aspects of disaster risk reduction;
4. Supervise
the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, reports and
studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
5. Develop,
in close coordination with key regional partners, regional cooperative
modalities in disaster risk reduction, with emphasis on disaster preparedness;
6. Coordinate
interdivisional efforts to support a multidisciplinary approach to social-economic-environmental
studies on diverse aspects of disaster risk reduction in the region and related
analysis of disasters trends and impacts;
7. Build
strategic relationships and foster close cooperation with the United Nations
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) as well as other United
Nations, regional and subregional entities working on disaster risk reduction;
8. Analyze
country-level and regional-level data from diverse sources, to identify options
for organizing an integrated supportive disaster risk information system;
9. Design
and organize regional/subregional capacity building activities on various
disaster risk reduction, in support of the mainstreaming of disaster risk
reduction in national development planning and community-based DRR;
10. Guide the
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Section’s activities in
planning and delivering the programme of work on disaster risk reduction,
including regular programme activities and extrabudgetary projects;
11. Coordinate
activities related to budget and funding and ensure preparation of related
documents/reports;
12. Organize
intergovernmental and other meetings related to ESCAP's programme of work on
disaster risk reduction, advocating for ESCAP policies and programmes on disaster
risk reduction;
13. Ensures
effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; guides, evaluates
and mentors staff;
14. Perform
other duties as required.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Professionalism:
Demonstrates knowledge and mastery in policy analysis and capacity
development in relating to disaster risk reduction. Familiarity with key
Asia-Pacific regional stakeholders and processes in disaster risk reduction,
and record of ability to work well with inter-agency partners. Sound grasp of
disaster risk reduction policy issues and governmental processes. Ability to
produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work
of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in
work situations. 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 and demonstrates knowledge of strategies and
commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds
appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having
two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match
audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people
informed.
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.
Managerial Competencies:
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 improvements;
does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.
Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate
responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that
roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member;
accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task
and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines;
regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff;
encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively
supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance
fairly.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent)
in environment and natural resources management, geography, geology, urban/town
planning, natural sciences, engineering, economic, social sciences or areas
relevant to the work on disaster risk reduction issues. A first-level
university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in
lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible
experience in development of social and economic programmes and policy analysis
and formulation. A minimum of five years of experience with a wide variety of
disaster risk reduction strategies and tools, in particular for disaster
preparedness and early warning systems. Experience in disaster risk reduction
in a developing country context is desirable. Experience in disaster management
and risk reduction training is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United
Nations Secretariat. For the post
advertised, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of
another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Qualified applicants will be evaluated through a
competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.
Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the authority of the
Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff
are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in
accordance with established rules and procedures. Staff of the United Nations
Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply
for this vacancy and are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in
their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the
United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a
non-smoking environment.
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.
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