Programme Management Officer

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. This temporary position is for a period of 364 days, with focus on enhancing private sector engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), risk informed financing and investment. The position is located in the UNDRR Headquarters in Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Partnerships Unit within the Intergovernmental processes, inter-agency cooperation and partnerships Branch.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships Unit, supports the implementation of UNDRR’s project on Strengthening the disaster resilience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provides overall project support to regional focal points for implementation of the project goals and outcomes in Barbados, Barcelona and Kobe in close collaboration with the UNDRR Partnerships Branch and Regional and Liaison Offices for Americas and the Caribbean, Europe, and Japan.
• Cooperates with UNDRR Regional and Liaison Offices to liaise with ARISE (private sector alliance for disaster resilient societies) national network leaders and/or chambers of commerce and focal points of the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, and other implementation partners as needed, towards the achievement of the project goals and outcomes in participating cities.
• Participates in planning, implementation support as needed, and overall monitoring of the project with UNDRR ARISE, MCR2030 and partnerships officers engaged in the project implementation.
• Coordinates the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNDRR’s ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (or its successor), in liaison with UNDRR Disaster Risk Reduction financing and de-risking initiatives, including on resilient infrastructure, in the region and at national level, working in cooperation with HQ colleagues and external partners.
• Assists in the organization and servicing of private sector partnership programme advisory and expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development, disaster risk reduction and private sector resilience issues.
• Provides regular communication on project progress and ensures mutual understanding of the SME Resilience project among UNDRR, donor and participants, as appropriate, in line with UN standards and UNDRR partnership and stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Supports and recommends the development of project communications materials in consultation and collaboration with UNDRR Communications in line with UN rules and terms of the project agreement.
• Establishes and maintains results-focused partnerships as appropriate with other relevant global business networks related to SME and business resilience, e.g. UN Global Compact.
• Drafts and supports the development of written materials including talking points, presentations, meeting reports, analytical and policy papers.
• Identifies opportunities, proposes concrete action and where agreed implements opportunities to enhance visibility of the project and related UNDRR business resilience initiatives including in global processes and events.
• Engages, as appropriate, in the development of other related initiatives on business resilience led by the Partnerships Unit or other organizational settings.
• As appropriate, engages and represents UNDRR and the Partnerships Unit in private sector related meetings and events.
• Carries out any other duties requested by the Deputy Chief of the Partnership Branch.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in building public-private partnerships and alliances is desirable. Experience in disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and climate change is desirable. Experience working at the country/regional level in managing initiatives related to business resilience is desirable. Experience working with international organisations such as the United Nations is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/239011?language=en