Job purpose
The Head of Strategies, Regions and Networks (HoD SRN) is responsible for the management of the Strategic and Regional Engagement Division, which has a cross-cutting and geographically focused mandate. The role provides oversight of the GICHD’s regional coordination mechanisms, the Strategic Planning Programme, and the Ukraine Country Programme. In addition, the HoD is responsible for establishing, refining, and managing further country programmes in specified partner countries, ensuring that they are well aligned with national needs, GICHD priorities, and donor requirements. The HoD provides leadership to the Division, managing staff and resources effectively, while ensuring close collaboration with other Heads of Division and the Chief of Mine Action Programmes.
Key responsibilities
Management, Planning and Coordination
1. Lead/launch and oversee the implementation of geographically focused programmes, including:
- Regional Coordination Programmes
- Strategic Planning Programme
- Ukraine Country Programme
- Other designated Country Programmes
2. Oversee the development and implementation of regional roadmaps for the GICHDs priority regions.
3. Develop and manage geographically focused programmes in consultation with national stakeholders, ensuring alignment with national mine action strategies and broader explosive ordnance risk management frameworks.
4. Oversee support to states in the development of their own national mine action strategies and policies.
5. Translate country strategies into properly sequenced project plans and activity packages in close coordination with other Heads of Division and the Chief of Operations.
6. Ensure regular consultation and joint planning across divisions on issues relating to regional engagement, country programmes, and strategic planning.
7. Oversee the management of GICHD staff outside Geneva, including those working form the GICHDs Regional Office in Amman
8. Lead and manage the Division’s human and financial resources, fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment, cost-effectiveness, and a balance between delivery and staff well-being. Oversee the leadership and management of relevant staff via the matrix-management approach to designated country programmes.
Implementation, Monitoring and Resource Management
1. Organize and oversee regional engagement, country programmes, and strategic planning, ensuring appropriate availability of human and financial resources
2. Maintain a strategic overview of all geographically-focused projects and ensure coherence with other GICHD activities.
3. Conduct regular visits to countries where GICHD programmes are being implemented.
4. Ensure that SRN financial plans are properly defined along the GICHDs RBM framework and integrated into the Centre’s financial control systems.
5. Monitor SRN programme finances, ensure burn rates are in line with established plans. Highlight financial risks and challenges, and coordinate corrective measures with Head of Finance and Chief of Operations.
6. Ensure SRN programmes and projects are implemented on time, within scope, and to budget.
7. Monitor delivery, highlight risks and challenges, and coordinate corrective measures with relevant managers when needed.
8. Capture lessons learned from regional and country engagements and ensure their integration into programme design and strategic planning.
Other Responsibilities
1. Permanent member of the GICHDs Management Board.
2. Ensure compliance of the Division’s activities with GICHD policies, rules and regulations
3. Represent the Centre in external fora, including engagement with national authorities, operators, donors, and international partners.
4. Promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls within mine action programmes.
5. Undertake other tasks as required by the Chief of Operations.
Qualifications and professional experience
- Post-graduate degree in public administration, international relations, programme/project management, or other related field.
- Project Management certification and/or proven project management skills.
Knowledge, skills and competencies
- Excellent English writing and communication skills; knowledge of other UN languages an asset.
- Project Management certification and/or proven project management skills.
- Substantial experience in managing country or regional programmes, with demonstrated leadership in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes.
- Proven experience in Explosive Ordnance Risk Reduction or related fields.
- Competence in budgeting and financial monitoring of programmes.
- Substantial experience in managerial functions and ability to lead and coach a diverse team
Operating network
- National authorities (programme and operations management)
- UN agencies
- Mine action operators
- Donors and international partners (including donor steward responsibilities)
Travel requirements
Expected to travel up to 30% of the working time including to countries affected by explosive ordnance, with low-medium-high risk environment.