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Chief of Secretariat

Geneva

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Chief of Secretariat

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Supervised and guided by the Secretary of the Executive Committee and Head of the Governance Service, the Chief of the Secretariat plays a role in shaping and developing the Office's relations and strategy with its governing bodies, as well as supporting the effective functioning of the Executive and Standing Committees. Internally, this requires close collaboration with the Executive Office, the Divisions and Bureaux.  Externally, the incumbent represents UNHCR in inter-governmental consultations and negotiations on ExCom decisions and conclusions, including adoption of the budget, as well as the development of the draft text and support for annual negotiations of the General Assembly's resolution on the work of the Office. The incumbent may be called upon to act as Secretary, in the latter's absence.

The incumbent manages the Secretariat in support of the work of the Executive Committee and its Standing Committee, and provides guidance and support to the Secretary of the Executive Committee in his/her functions with the Executive Committee Bureau and Member States.  In this context, the incumbent works closely with regional bureaux and divisions at HQ, in particular DIP, DPSM and DFAM, to ensure the quality of governance documentation, which must meet the needs of the Committee and be produced in compliance with the Committee's and General Assembly's rules and deadlines.  The Chief of Secretariat t ensures that all decisions are reached after careful political consideration for potential impact upon the governing body and the Office.

The incumbent supervises the work of the Executive Committee Secretariat, a team of eight staff: Senior English Editor, Senior. French Translator, one External Relations Officer (Governance), one Associate Editor, one Associate Reporting Officer, two Conference Services Associates (French and English) and one Translation and Conference Services Assistant.
In addition to ensuring quality control and adherence to UN editorial standards of governance- related documentation, the Secretariat, supervised by the incumbent, is also responsible for reviewing and editing the High Commissioner¿s correspondence in English, French and Spanish.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- Official documentation (conference room papers and documents bearing the seal of the Office) is consistent with the Office's policies and priorities; provides content that satisfies the needs of member States; and conforms to the highest editorial standards and UN rules and regulations.
- The Secretary of the Executive Committee is fully supported in the smooth organization and conduct of all governance-related meetings.
- Appropriate guidance and support is provided to (1) the Executive Committee Rapporteur, in the negotiations of decisions and conclusions; and (2) the Member State coordinator, in the annual General Assembly negotiations.
- Member States' formal requests are swiftly and appropriately followed-up.

Responsibility
- Support the Secretary of the Executive Committee to maintain and strengthen relations with Executive Committee Members States and other UN Member States.
- Oversee organization of formal and informal meetings of the Executive Committee and its Standing Committee, including the planning, control and finalization of documentation and formulation of reports and draft decisions.
- Advise the Secretary of the Executive Committee concerning the application of relevant rules of procedure and resolutions, including those of the GA and ECOSOC.
- Oversee drafting and editorial activities of the Secretariat, ensuring that the policies and programmes of the Office are accurately and coherently presented in governance documentation.
- Supervise preparation of the High Commissioner¿s reports to the General Assembly on implementation of GA resolutions and support the member State coordinator during the development and negotiation of resolutions of direct concern to the Office.
- Edit governance documentation; draft or revise other documentation of the Office as requested.
- Act as resource person in ExCom informal meetings on conclusions and decisions; ensure that texts properly reflect the consensus of the Committee and take account of the concerns and interests of the Office.
- Supervise preparations for international conferences and meetings called by the Office.
- Supervise the editing and quality control of the High Commissioner¿s correspondence.
- Promote communication and understanding of the interests and concerns of member States among UNHCR staff.
- Liaise with UNOG and DGACM concerning UNHCR's official documentation; the scheduling of UNHCR's agenda items; utilization rates and compliance with UN regulations.
- Organize, in conjunction with DRRM, the annual Ad hoc meeting of the General Assembly for Pledging. 
- Perform other duties as requested by the Secretary/Head of Service.

Authority
- Manage postings and recruitment processes and evaluate and manage the staff of the Secretariat, providing feedback and supporting professional development. 
- Plan and track the utilization of resources (human and financial) necessary for the effective implementation of the Committee's programme of work.
- Make decisions relative to the organization of meetings of the Executive Committee and its Standing Committee.
- Enforce compliance with the required UN standards for drafting and editorial activities of the Secretariat.
- Coordinate with relevant HQ units the planning and execution of the programme of work, including agenda items, conference room papers, Informal Consultative Meetings and informal briefings.
- In the absence of the Secretary, clear official documentation for the Executive Committee and the Executive Office.


ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) in International Law, Law, Political Science, International Relations or related fields plus minimum 11 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 12 years of Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 10 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Minimum 10 years in an international capacity.
- Comprehensive knowledge of UNHCR, its protection mandate and place in the United Nations system, and the functioning of the General Assembly.
- Experience in inter-governmental negotiations.
- Excellent analytical drafting and editing skills in English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- UNHCR management programmes.
- French or Spanish language competency. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M006L4 - Managing Resources Level 4
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X002L4 - Innovation and Creativity Level 4

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in this addendum is Tuesday 25 June 2019 (midnight Geneva time).

This vacancy is now closed.
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