Chief of Staff at United Nations Environment Programme

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority from the Executive Director, the Chief of Staff is responsible for the following duties

• 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.

Competencies

• 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.
• Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats men and women equally; shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses; does not discriminate against any individual or group.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.

Education

• 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.

Work Experience

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 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;

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience in executive direction and management of a multicultural organization.

Languages

• 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.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Core values and competencies will be assessed throughout the evaluation process.