Director, New York Board and External Relations Office (NYBER)

Job categories Leadership

Vacancy code VA/2023/B0043/26991

Level ICS-13

Department/office DP, NYBER, New York Board and External Relations Office

Duty station New York, United States of America

Contract type Fixed Term

Contract level D1

Duration 2 years initially, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

Application period 07-Nov-2023 to 12-Dec-2023

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Executive Board and Governance
2. External Relations
3. Team Leadership

1. Executive Board and Governance

• Perform the functions of UNOPS Executive Board Secretary, including representing UNOPS at the Executive Board Bureau.
• Advise the Executive Director on all matters relating to the Executive Board.
• Liaise with Permanent Missions to the United Nations, especially members of the Executive Board; and governance and oversight bodies of the UN system.
• Organize the business of Board sessions, including the preparations for and servicing of the sessions.
• Support UNOPS HQ with input to key governance reports such as the UN Secretary General’s annual report, QCPR etc.
• Undertake or arrange for briefings of Board members on the work of UNOPS and participate in field visits of the Executive Board.
• Provide information on, and interpretation of, decisions taken by the Executive Board for key stakeholders.
• Lead the maintenance and updating of records of the deliberations and decisions of the Executive Board.
• Ensure effective preparation and support for the UN Chief Executives Board (CEB), High Level Committee on Management, Programmes (HLCM & HLCP) and UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) together with relevant HQ units.

2. External Relations

• At the request of the Executive Director, represent UNOPS at high-level partner meetings in New York in close coordination with the Partnership and Liaison Group.
• Act as the focal point for the MOU with the UN Secretariat, and relationships with UN Organizations based in New York in close coordination with the New York Cluster.
• Support the UNOPS participation in New York-based forums of Member States (such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDC’s), G77 etc)
• Identify opportunities and advise the UNOPS Executive Office and Management Team on developing and engaging on related opportunities across United Nations Headquarters, ECOSOC, UNGA etc.
• Support advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Group, Partnerships and Liaison Group and other relevant corporate units.
• Oversee the negotiation of Host Country Agreements and Accreditation of UNOPS representatives globally. Maintain records and diplomatic correspondence for both.

3. Team Leadership

• In collaboration with the team, establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected.
• Recommend and/or determine priorities and supervise the implementation of work plans to manage the strategic and operational risks.
• Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.
• Operate within the defined limits of authority on matters of Finance, Procurement and Human Resources and subject to any limits or conditions that may be imposed as per delegated
• authority.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, International Relations or related studies.
• A Bachelor degree (or equivalent) combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience can be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree (total of 12 years of experience).

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in working in multilateral organizations or bilateral diplomacy, including 5 years in a governance, policy or liaison function , is required.
• Experience working with a network of development partners, governing bodies, and donors, is required.
• Demonstrated understanding of UN system organizations, rules and regulations is required.
• Broad understanding of UNOPS mission and its partners, UN, as well as UN mandate is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English
• Knowledge of additional official UN languages is an advantage