The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work of the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions. This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and exciting organization gaining unique and valuable experience where security provides great value. Besides the opportunity to gain new skills and further advance security expertise, this position offers a fulfilling environment that gives you satisfaction by contributing directly or indirectly to peace and security, human rights, and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Simply, all humanity will be benefiting from your work. Together, we can make the world a better place. This position is located in the Specialized Services Branch, United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in New York. The Specialized Services Branch serves UN security by training personnel to prevent and respond to incidents, supporting staff resilience and stress management, advising on physical security of UN facilities, coordinating protective services for senior officials, and driving digital modernization of security and accountability systems. The Chief of Branch reports to the Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security and will oversee the management, formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the Branch. Ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work within the Branch and with other entities/organizations of the United Nations System. For more information on the Department, and how we make an impact on the world in enabling the achievement of SDGs, visit: https://www.un.org/undss/ PURSUANT TO SECTION 10.1(B) OF ST/AI/2025/2 ON THE "STAFF SELECTION SYSTEM,"ONLY A CANDIDATE ENDORSED BY THE CENTRAL REVIEW BODY, APPROVED FOR SELECTION BY THE HEAD OF ENTITY, AND WHO ASSUMES THE POSITION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE ROSTER.

Within limits of delegated authority, the Chief of Branch will perform the following duties: • Leads the transformation of the former Division of Partnerships and Specialized Support into the newly established Specialized Services Branch. • Leads and supervises the work of the Chiefs of the Training and Development Section, Critical Incident Stress Management Section, Physical Security Section, Protection Coordination Unit, and Information Management Unit. • Ensures the Branch’s compliance with United Nations and Departmental Standards, policies, rules and regulations. • Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch and ensures alignment with the Department’s Results Chain. Provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. • Provides the USG and ASG with expert advice to support and enable the Department’s work focusing on UN results and a HQ that supports partners and the field. • Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of Branch-related responses to audit reports and evaluations.. • Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues related to SSB, as appropriate. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Branch maintain high-quality standards and are compliant with the Department’s Results Chain and United Nations policies; that reports are clear, objective and based on data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Units/Sections under their supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Prepares the work programme of the Branch, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery, using a results-based approach. • Oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), using recruitment processes and selections to further implementation of the Department’s People Strategy and approached to gender, diversity and inclusivity, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. • Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance, gender and inclusion. • Manages, guides, develops and coordinates the basic and specialist training for staff under their supervision; motivates and mentors staff. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries. • Leads on implementing departmental strategies and action plans related to the Branch’s mandate and programme of work, including on disability inclusion, anti-racism, and gender/diversity. • Participates in international, regional or national meetings, as appropriate, and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, law, social sciences, international affairs or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, administration, or related field is required. At least five years in management roles, in development, humanitarian, or peace and security coordination management, including in a multi-cultural setting and of cross-functional teams is required. Experience in the coordination and oversight of support by diverse technical experts is required. Experience in leading organizational change management processes is required. Experience in managing training and/or digital transformation projects in multi-cultural teams is desirable. Experience coordinating with multiple partners in the UN Common System or similar international organization or non-governmental organizations is desirable. At least four years of field experience in conflict or post-conflict environment over the past ten years is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French

or

Chinese (Mandarin)

or

Russian

or

Spanish

or

Arabic is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

Desirable Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

French

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Chinese (Mandarin)

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

Russian

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

Spanish

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

Arabic

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

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

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is taking efforts to improve gender parity, including full implementation of the UN-wide, and Departmental Gender Strategies. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in the security and operations field. • Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. • Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. 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 members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. • Appointment at the United Nations is subject to mandatory adherence to the United Nations Financial Disclosure programme. • An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. • Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. • The selection process for this job opening will be conducted pursuant to ST/AI/2010/3 on the "Staff Selection System" and include the compliance review process by a review body described in staff rule 4.15. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuance governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.