Director, Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote inclusive economic, social and environmental development and support regional cooperation and integration 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 Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) aims to reduce the negative impact of natural hazards, strengthen capacities for disaster information management and enhance regional cooperation and coordination in disaster risk
reduction.

This position is located in the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Director of the Asia and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management, under the oversight of the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, manages staff in the Centre to carry out its work programme in disaster risk reduction.

Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of APDIM. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Centre, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and coordinates work in the different areas with Divisions, Subregional Offices, and Regional Institutes of ESCAP, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.

The Director of APDIM is required to perform the following functions:

1. Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management. Coordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Centre in accordance with the Statute of the Centre based on the priorities of ESCAP’s Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and ESCAP’s technical cooperation and capacity development programme for disaster risk reduction.

2. Coordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Governing Council of APDIM, Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Commission and other policymaking organs, as appropriate.

3. Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.

4. Ensures that the outputs produced by the Centre maintain high quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the work units under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.

5. Coordinates and collaborates with the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, the Environment and Development Division and other Divisions, Institutes and Subregional Offices of ESCAP in preparing the work programme of the Centre and in formulating and implementing the substantive work of the information and communications technology and disaster risk reduction subprogramme of ESCAP, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of programmed outputs by the Centre and their timely delivery.

6. Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Centre, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results based budgeting.

7. Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance and gender parity.

8. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.

9. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Centre and across organizational boundaries.

10. Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.

11. Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

12. Serves as Secretary of the Governing Council of APDIM.

13. Represents the Centre at international, regional or national meetings.

14. Coordinates with the authorities of the host Government to strengthen engagement and identify opportunities for expanding technical cooperation.

15. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Core competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of disaster risk reduction and management and information management. 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. 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.

• 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. 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.

• 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, public administration, natural resources management, engineering or areas relevant to the work on disaster risk reduction. A relevant first level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning and implementation of regional capacity development programmes, in particular related to disaster risk reduction, or related fields. Experience in leading and managing sizable work units is required. Work experience in capacity building in disaster information management in developing country context is desirable. Experience of working in Asia Pacific is desirable.

English and French are the two working languages of the UN Secretariat, for this position, fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

This post is subject to availability of funding. 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. ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

This post is funded from extra budgetary resources. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

The filling of the post through this job opening is subject to the final budget approval.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

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.