Senior Administrative and Reform Advisor

OVERVIEW

Post Number : DIG 015

Grade : P-5

Parent Sector : Office of the Director-General (CAB)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Administration

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 16-APR-2020

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

Under the overall authority of the Chief of Staff and in cooperation with the senior management, the incumbent will advise on the Organization's future strategic orientations, including on the articulation between the Organization’s Medium-Term Strategy and Programme and Budget; the preparation, review and implementation of the Programme and Budget, the field network and on its reform and on the overall UN Development Reform. The incumbent will also advise on aspects falling under the purview of the Sector for Administration and Management and on issues relating to oversight and ethics.

 

Specifically, the incumbent will:

• Provide strategic advice and decision-making support to the Director-General and the Chief of Staff, and in close collaboration with senior management, on aspects relating to policy development, administration and management.
• Provide strategic direction to the preparation of a newly designed Programme and Budget of the Organization in keeping with the Director-General's vision and the decisions of the governing bodies, in close coordination with senior management and relevant sectors and bureaus. Monitor overall budgetary issues pertaining to the implementation of the Programme and Budget of the Organization in coordination with the relevant sectors and bureaus and identify critical elements that should be highlighted to the Director-General and the Chief of Staff and propose alternative courses of action.  Provide strategic overview regarding the appropriate articulation between the Programme and Budget and the Medium-Term Strategy of the Organization.
• Monitor the execution of the Director-General's decisions on the implementation of the Organization's field network in close cooperation with senior management and UNESCO’s Field Offices with a view to also ensuring the linkage with the Organization's Programme delivery and alignment with the United Nations Reform.
• Provide strategic analysis and advice to the Director-General on her participation in high-level UN System Development meetings related to the UN Development Reform. In close collaboration with the relevant sectors, coordinate UNESCO's strategic positioning and participation in this Reform with a view to ensuring that the Organization's priorities are adequately reflected at the global, regional and country levels and provide guidance to Field Offices on the developments of the Reform.
• Coordinate and ensure coherent organizational responses to internal and external oversight reports and their recommendations (external auditors, Internal Oversight Services, Joint Inspection Unit). Identify cross-cutting issues and trends that require strategic input and decisions at the senior management level and flag organizational performance and risk issues as appropriate.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Building partnerships (M) Driving and managing change (M) Leading and empowering others (M) Managing performance (M) Strategic thinking (M) Making quality decisions (M) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public or Business Administration, International Affairs, in a discipline related to UNESCO’s mandate, or any other related field.

 

Work Experience

• At least ten years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in administration, budget and/or planning, programme management, coordination, evaluation, or in a discipline related to UNESCO’s mandate, of which preferably five years acquired at the international level.
• Demonstrated experience in managing financial and human resources.
• Proven experience in developing and managing the preparation of the programme and budget of an international/regional organization, including results-based budgeting approaches.
• Demonstrated experience in reform initiatives and change management leadership.

Long Description

Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities.
• High sense of objectivity, professional integrity and diplomacy.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills and capabilities.
• Capacity to initiate change, in particular as regards improvement of existing practices.
• Sound knowledge of general management practices, including governance and accountability, use of information and communications technology, and techniques of quality assurance and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to interact and manage relationships at all levels of the Organization and ensure a high level coordination and cooperation among relevant stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to establish plans and priorities as well as implementing them effectively.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability in the field of resource building and mobilization.

 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge, including drafting skills, in English or French and good knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

• Other degrees or short to-medium-term training in disciplines relevant to the post.

 

Work Experience

• Senior level assignments at the international level and/or within the United Nations system. 
• Experience with the United Nations system including in the Field Offices.
• Experience in guiding staff and motivating teams in a multicultural environment and in observance of diversity.

 

Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of the Organization, its Constitution, programmes and methods of work.
• Familiarity with debates on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the United Nations Reform developments. 
• Proven ability to function effectively at senior level, and to build collaborative partnerships and networks.

 

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).

 

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

For more information in benefits and entitlements, please consult ICSC website.

ASSESSMENT

Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

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UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States (last update here) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.