Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA unescwa.org) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 20 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This post is located within the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support reports directly to the Executive Secretary. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary (Under-Secretary-General), the incumbent directs programme planning, strategy development, technical cooperation and resource mobilization. The incumbent supports the Executive Secretary in overseeing the Safety and Security Section at the UN House. Additional responsibilities include enhancing engagement with the sub-regional organizations and national government authorities and the Commission’s outreach to civil society and other non-governmental partners in the region.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support will be responsible for carrying out the following duties: • Assists the Executive Secretary in directing and overseeing all activities related to programme support operations, and staff safety and security; and provides authoritative advice to the Executive Secretary on such matters. • Advises the Executive Secretary on strategic direction, programme planning, Technical Cooperation, administrative, policy and management issues as they arise. • Formulates, implements, leads and directs programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, strategy and RBM advancements, and Technical Cooperation. • Directs and coordinates the preparation of Strategic frameworks, Programme Budgets and Programme performance reports. • Coordinates ESCWA’s resource mobilization, fundraising efforts and partnership building including through enhancing engagement with the regional and sub-regional donor organizations and national government authorities and through strengthening the commission’s outreach to civil society and other non-governmental partners in the region. • Identifies broad strategies required for the improvement of programme support delivery and highlights risks to planned delivery, proposing mitigating measures. • Coordinates and oversees the preparation of ESCWA’s reports on managerial, planning and administrative issues for the relevant intergovernmental bodies, such as the ACABQ, the Economic and Social Council, the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. Coordinates the defense of said reports before these intergovernmental bodies. . Provides leadership to the development of change management programmes including with respect to the transition to the ESCWA reform agenda and the associated business processes and reform initiatives aimed at making ESCWA more agile, productive and effective. • Provides authoritative advice and guidance to senior management and staff of ESCWA on operational and administrative matters under her/his responsibility. • Coordinates strategy with national authorities with respect to administrative and logistical matters and ensures that productive and cooperative relations with counterparts are maintained. • Assists the Executive Secretary in managing issues related to ESCWA staff and the UN House, and coordinates with Heads of UN agencies, funds and programmes in Lebanon. • Oversees the preparation of evacuation and business continuity plans of the Commission and ensures that such plans are regularly updated. • Acts as Chairperson for relevant committees established by the Executive Secretary on administrative-related issues such as management, property, staff safety and security, common services, etc. • Supports the Executive Secretary in implementing the SG’s efficiency agenda by providing common services that help the UN system optimize. • Undertakes any other functions as assigned by the Executive Secretary.

Competencies

Professionalism: Proven experience in management of people, resources, and assets. Ability to perform duties in a diplomatic manner and successfully negotiate difficult situations with a wide variety of external partners as well as partners internal to the UN system. 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 and 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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 improvement; 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

Advanced university degree in business, management, public administration, international development, or related field. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in strategic management, human resources, administration, logistics, financial management, budget, technology and innovation or a related field is required. At least five years in international organizations are required. At least ten years experience in management of development programmes at the regional and/or international level is required. Experience in the Arab region is required. Experience in facilitating and conducting intergovernmental negotiations is required. Experience dealing with regional and sub-regional donor organizations and/or national government authorities in the region is required.

Languages

English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand).

Assessment

The shortlisted candidates will undergo a competency-based interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are un-represented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Jan 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

United Nations Considerations

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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

No Fee

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.