Country: Kazakhstan
Closing date: 14 Oct 2019
Job Opening number
19-PGM-ESCAP-120919-R-ALMATY (ALMA ATA) (R)
Org. Setting and Reporting
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 ESCAP Subregional Office for North and Central Asia (SONCA) is the subregional platform to address key development challenges, and provides technical and analytical advisory services, training workshops to promote subregional economic, social and environmental activities of ESCAP, and implements field projects. The Subregional Office also serves as a catalyst to operationalize the analytical and normative work of ESCAP at the subregional and national levels.
The countries served by SONCA office include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. All programmes and activities will be integrated into the ESCAP strategic framework and reinforce intergovernmental priorities. The incumbent of this post will report to the Executive Secretary of ESCAP or her designate.
Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the ESCAP Executive Secretary or her designate, and within delegated authority, the Head of SONCA will be responsible for the following:
•Acts as the representative of ESCAP in the North and Central Asian subregion, including promoting the active participation of member governments in the subregion in the work of ESCAP while promoting subregional development cooperation and connectivity among the SONCA clients.
•Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Subregional Office in close collaboration with ESCAP divisions, and related subprogrammes.
•Formulates and implements, in consultation with the concerned entities at ESCAP Headquarters, the programme of work of the Subregional Office by determining subregional priorities and utilizing resources effectively for the timely delivery of mandated outputs. Further, ensures that subregional activities and initiatives are in sync with and reinforce the overall ESCAP strategic framework and serves to reinforce the ESCAP core mandate, in particular on the subregional connectivity agenda.
•Advises the Executive Secretary on emerging issues and concerns in the subregion, including those gathered from consultations/discussions with government officials and representatives of other key intergovernmental organizations, institutions and stakeholders, and provides advice toward developing ESCAP policies, programmes and courses of action, taking into consideration the socio-economic and political context of the subregion.
•Provides inputs to ESCAP Headquarters entities, including the concerned substantive divisions on the development, formulation and implementation of the ESCAP work programme related to the countries of the subregion through: (a) Coordinating with concerned government officials, UN entities, UN Country Teams, subregional organizations and other stakeholders, to identify needs and priorities for technical assistance and cooperation and to facilitate the implementation of those programmes; (b) Providing support for missions, intergovernmental meetings, workshops, ESCAP flagship publications, training and other relevant activities held in the subregion; and (c) Acting as knowledge sharing centre in the subregion for ESCAP matters and activities.
•Ensures that the outputs produced by the Subregional Office maintain high-quality standards and are consistent with ESCAP work programme; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Office under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates
•Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides policy advice and technical assistance in economic and social development policies and programmes to governments in the subregion in coordination with other existing entities, including those within the UN system.
•Promotes partnership and knowledge sharing among member countries, private sector, civil society and other relevant development partners, including other ESCAP Subregional Offices and Regional Institutes, in addressing key priority areas of the subregion.
•Undertakes or oversees the programmatic, administrative, and managerial tasks necessary for the functioning of the Subregional Office, including preparation of budgets, and inputs for results-based budgeting, reporting on budget/programme performance, recruitment/selection of candidates (taking due account of geographical balance), evaluation of staff performance, and development/guidance of staff under his/her supervision.
•Performs other related duties as necessary in accordance with the UN rules and regulations.
Competencies
Core Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated in-depth understanding of political, social and economic sustainable development issues in Asia and the Pacific. Strong analytical skills combined with good judgment. Ability to produce analytical 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.
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.
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.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, or related areas is required. Ph.D degree in the above mentioned fields is desirable. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience, including several years at the international level, in economic and social analysis, poverty reduction, policy formulation and implementation, and programme management is required. Experience in leading and managing a sizable work unit is required. Research and analysis in the above fields as demonstrated through authored publications is desirable. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks is desirable. Experience of working in Asia-Pacific as demonstrated by living and working in the region outside of home country is highly desirable. Experience in advocacy work and establishing partnerships with key stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Russian is required.
Assessment
Qualified candidates may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.
Special Notice
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.
How to apply:
To apply, please visit: https://www.unescap.org/jobs