Chief of Staff at United Nations

This position is located in the Executive Office of UN Environment in Nairobi. Nairobi is classified as a hardship B duty station and a family duty station. The incumbent reports directly to the Executive Director of UN Environment.

Chief of Staff Job Responsibilities

• Directing and managing the Executive Office through ensuring overall coordination of the substantive support to the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director in the implementation of their mandates on behalf of the UN Secretary-General;
• Formulating and implementing the work programme of the Office, determining priorities and monitoring progress; Managing the Executive Office teams of Special Assistants, Corporate Coordination and Communication Officers; Overseeing the preparation of the budget and processing of human resources matters, including Senior Appointments for UN Environment.
• Providing strategic advice in planning for the Executive Director to fulfill his/her political and managerial objectives in cooperation with the Deputy Executive Director and the
• Senior Management Team at UN Environment; Providing policy advice and recommendations to the Executive Director in the exercise of his/her functions as well as coordinating the activities of the UN Environment Divisions, regional/country Offices related to the Executive Director’s responsibilities and monitoring implementation.
• Ensuring the effective running of the Senior Management Team meetings and Leadership Group meetings, and monitoring implementation of decisions; Representing the
• Executive Director on Security Management Team meetings as may be appropriate and ensuring an effective internal security/wardens system is in place for UN Environment, in cooperation with UN Security.
• Maintaining liaison with high-ranking representatives of Member States, international organizations and other partners on substantive, political questions and providing advice to the Executive Director on these issues.
• Managing the preparation of and reviewing draft correspondence, official statements, communication outputs and reports for the Executive Director’s signature or clearance;
• Overseeing the preparation of relevant research and background papers on matters of concern to the Office.
• In the absence of the Executive Director or Deputy Executive Director, receiving visitors, performing representational functions, organizing and attending meetings on their behalf.

Qualifications for the Chief of Staff Job

• Professionalism: Knowledge in inter-governmental and inter-agency negotiations and networking functions; Ability to analyze environmental, political and economic and social developments and provide technical and substantive support in the field of environmental policy development.
• 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.
• Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; acts without consideration of personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority; stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.
• Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in humanitarian affairs, political science, environmental studies, ecology, earth science, international relations, development or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, management or related area.;
• At least five years at the international level in the areas of international affairs, development assistance or environment;
• Experience in providing strategic policy advice to senior level officials;
• Experience in executive direction and management of a multicultural organization.
• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN Official language is an asset.