Senior Social Affairs Officer, P5 job in #Geneva, #Switzerland/ #UNITEDNATIONS

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Population Unit of the Statistical Division of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) based in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Statistical Division, and the general supervision of the Executive Secretary of ECE, the incumbent is responsible for supervising and managing the Population Unit, notably its activities in: servicing the ECE Standing Working Group on Ageing, developing international policies on population ageing, intergenerational relations and gender, and providing technical cooperation and capacity development to countries in the region.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Director of Division, the incumbent is responsible for the substantive planning, direction and management of the Population Unit. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Manages, supervises, and carries out the work programme of the Unit under his/her responsibility. Provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others.
• Acts as the Secretary of the UNECE Standing Working Group on Ageing (SWGA).
• Plans and oversees the activities undertaken by the Unit, in particular in the area of population ageing, intergenerational relations and gender;
• Ensures that substantive work programme and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion are are of the highest quality.
• Provides substantive support to technical cooperation projects in the area of population and development, coordinates projects in the Unit, and in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors, and agencies as appropriate.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Unit are of high-quality standards and comply with the relevant mandates; that reports and publications are clear, objective and based on comprehensive and reliable source data.
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and indicators, reporting to governing bodies on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (e-Performance), and recruitment of staff for the Unit.
• Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies, as appropriate.
• Provides policy advice to the Chief of Division on addressing existing and emerging population ageing challenges and management of the implementation of related strategies and intra and inter-divisional/departmental policies and procedures.
• Represents the Organization at intergovernmental and inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues. Holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit and Division, as well as across organizational boundaries. Recruits staff for Unit taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.

Competencies

Professionalism : In-depth understanding of the substantive issues, main problems and challenges related to population ageing, gender and intergenerational issues, and other aspects of population change relevant to UNECE countries. Very good knowledge of demographic methods used for the measurement of population issues and ability to provide policy advice to national governments, including knowledge of policy-making mechanisms. Ability to prepare policy papers, briefs and related recommendations on population issues. Good understanding of the organization of inter-governmental and expert meetings and technical cooperation activities. 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; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

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.

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

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in demography, population studies, political science, economics, or related social sciences fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience working on population-related issues and policies at the national or international level is required.

Out of the 10 years required experience, at least 3 years of experience in the areas of population ageing, gender and intergenerational issues is required.

Experience in providing policy advice to national governments on population issues is required.

Work experience with countries of Eastern, South-eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia is desirable.

Experience with technical cooperation activities is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and Russian is a working language of UNECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

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 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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 August 2021, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.