Overview

Leads the transformation and management of the Specialized Services Branch, overseeing its work programme and ensuring compliance with United Nations standards.

Tasks Summary

• Leads the transformation of the former Division of Partnerships and Specialized Support into the newly established Specialized Services Branch.
• Leads and supervises the work of the Chiefs of the Training and Development Section, Critical Incident Stress Management Section, Physical Security Section, Protection Coordination Unit, and Information Management Unit.
• Ensures the Branch’s compliance with United Nations and Departmental Standards, policies, rules and regulations.
• Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch and ensures alignment with the Department’s Results Chain.
• Provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
• Provides the USG and ASG with expert advice to support and enable the Department’s work.
• Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of Branch-related responses to audit reports and evaluations.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues related to SSB.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Branch maintain high-quality standards and are compliant with the Department’s Results Chain and United Nations policies.
• Prepares the work programme of the Branch, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), using recruitment processes and selections to further implementation of the Department’s People Strategy and approached to gender, diversity and inclusivity, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance, gender and inclusion.
• Manages, guides, develops and coordinates the basic and specialist training for staff under their supervision; motivates and mentors staff.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries.
• Leads on implementing departmental strategies and action plans related to the Branch’s mandate and programme of work.
• Participates in international, regional or national meetings, as appropriate, and provides programmatic/substantive expertise.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, administration, or related field is required.
• At least five years in management roles, in development, humanitarian, or peace and security coordination management, including in a multi-cultural setting and of cross-functional teams is required.
• Experience in the coordination and oversight of support by diverse technical experts is required.
• Experience in leading organizational change management processes is required.
• Experience in managing training and/or digital transformation projects in multi-cultural teams is desirable.
• Experience coordinating with multiple partners in the UN Common System or similar international organization or non-governmental organizations is desirable.
• At least four years of field experience in conflict or post-conflict environment over the past ten years is desirable.

Qualification Requirements

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, law, social sciences, international affairs or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.