Job: Manager - Decentralized Cooperation Programme, Training Department

Location: Geneva 
Deadline: Tuesday, 29 October 2013 

Description

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Title: Manager – D1

Unit/Department: Decentralized Cooperation Programme, Training Department

Type of contract: Fixed-term

Deadline for applications: 29 October 2013

Date of issuance: 30 September 2013

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Remuneration: In accordance with the UN rules and regulations

Accountabilities:Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Manager will be responsible for UNITAR's Decentralized Cooperation Programme (DCP), the CIFAL Global Network (12 associated training Centres around the globe), the UNITAR affiliated International Training Centre for Corporate Opportunities (ITCCO) in Antwerp, Belgium, and the Port Harcourt UNITAR Project Office (PHPO) in Nigeria.

The Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

Strategic Development and Overall Management:

• Developing a conceptual strategy for UNITAR's work in the area of decentralised governance, as reflected in the DCP Programme, and establishing strategic linkages and synergies with other programmes of the Institute when relevant.

• Developing a coherent training portfolio for DCP that enhances the training offer of the Institute.

• Implementing the Programme strategies with the aim of increasing the impact of the Institute in terms of resource mobilization and meeting Programme objectives effectively and efficiently. Securing the necessary funding from external donors for the implementation of the activities of the Programme.

• Planning and overseeing the management of all activities undertaken by the Programme, ensuring that all projects and activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse teams within the Programme, including the 12 CIFAL associated Centres, the ITCCO, the PHPO and with donors, partners and other organizations of the United Nations system, as appropriate.

• Managing, supervising and carrying out the DCP work programme and DCP Harmonized Training Calendar under her/his responsibility. Coordinating the output generated by the DCP outposted training Centres or Offices. Providing programmatic and substantive performance reviews of programme units and staff under his/her supervision.

• Contributing substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to United Nations policy-making organs; providing inputs to draft reports of the Secretary General, reports to ECOSOC; contributing to the reporting to UN organs on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.

• Preparing inputs for the Institute's strategic plan and its biannual work programme and results-based budget, creating synergies, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.

Knowledge Content Development:

• Overseeing the implementation of training methodologies and management of knowledge systems for the Programme (for both face-to-face and e-learning delivery platforms); reviewing and developing partnerships for knowledge content development and improved programme delivery.

• Providing substantive input and methodological guidance to enhance the quality of content and delivery of the Programme's activities, and developing innovative training approaches and tools. Ensuring that all DCP activities implement the Quality Assurance requirements of the Institute.

• Ensuring that outputs produced by the DCP Team in Geneva and by all training Centres and Offices of the Programme implement the Monitoring and Evaluation requirements of the Institute; that substantial feedback from the M&E process is incorporated into the implementation of training activities.

Internal Responsibilities:

• Implementing programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Programme. Managing DCP financial tasks, monitoring of IMIS System accounts, monitoring of key performance indicators, preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, preparation of reporting to donors

• Managing the Programme's human resources under her/his direct supervision, implementation of staff training activities, coaching and mentoring of team members, and evaluation of staff performance. Recruiting staff for the Programme taking into account geographical and gender balance and special needs in substantial areas by conducting interviews and evaluating candidates for job openings and induction of new staff under his/her supervision.

Leading CIFAL Global Network Directors, overseeing their performance as mandated by the CIFAL Global Network Guidelines with frequent interaction, providing guidance, approval and sometimes direct instructions in the implementation of UNITAR policy and overall management of a CIFAL Center.

• Ensuring that the Directors and the Boards of Trustees of the Centres comprising the Network observe and implement the Institute's policies and practices. Organizing and chairing the CIFAL Global Network Steering Committee on an annual basis.

• Fostering synergies, teamwork and sprit-de-corps among the staff, specifically within the DCP Team in Geneva, the ITCCO in Belgium, the PHPO in Nigeria, and the CIFAL Global Network.

External Outreach:

• Developing and carrying out strategic partnerships with recognized partners (UN Agencies and Programmes, national and local governments, civil society organizations, private enterprises, Academia) as appropriate with a view to achieve the Programme's strategy.

• Implementing fundraising and advocacy campaigns to ensure sustainable funding of the Programme and associated CIFAL Centres as appropriate, in coordination with the Partnership and Resource Mobilization section of the Institute and relevant partner entities.

• Representing the Programme, the Institute and the United Nations Organization at relevant international/regional/local/inter-agency meetings, and with partners and donors from diverse backgrounds and locations.

• Undertaking and developing public outreach initiatives to create awareness on the work done by the Programme and build partnerships among national and local governments, private sector entities and civil society organizations. Ensuring that all DCP external communication and promotional material observe the Institute's guidelines and reach the target audience.

• Ensuring inter-agency collaboration, in particular with UN Agencies and Programmes in the framework of the strategic collaboration within the UN System. Implementing substantial technical cooperation within the UN System in the training activities implemented by the CIFAL Centres and by the teams in Geneva, Antwerp and Port Harcourt, in the following themes:

Environment and Urban Services

1. Energy and Natural Resources Management
2. Urban Planning and Geographical Information Systems
3. Urban Transportation
4. Water and Sanitation
5. Waste Management

Economic Development and Local Governance

1. Decentralization and Municipal Finances
2. Economic and Social Development
3. Gender Equality and Gender Empowerment
4. Corporate Social Responsibility (ITCCO)

Human Security

1. Health Systems Management
2. Education Systems Management
3. Urban Safety and Social Coexistence
4. Conflict Resolution and Youth Development (PHPO)

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• High-level authorities in national, sub-national and local governments, i.e. Ministries, governorates, prefectures, municipalities, associations of local authorities, et al
• Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations
• Universities and other academic institutions
• Private sector corporations and business federations
• Directors of Programmes of other UN agencies and Regional Economic Commissions
• UNDP Resident Coordinators and their teams
• Heads of non-governmental organizations and other areas of civil society
• Other official counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in partner organizations, and experts on contract

Supervision: 12 staff (5 in Geneva, 7 in Port Harcourt) + 12 Directors of the Centres comprising the CIFAL Global Network (indirect supervision)

Results Expected: Effective management, programming and expansion of the Decentralized Cooperation Programme to maximize their growth potential for the Institute Increasing the number of beneficiaries ; at the same time as ensuring credibility and quality, effectiveness in achieving planned outcomes, and visibility and recognition of the Institute and its training activities. Building of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and scaling up of fundraising activities with donors.

Competencies:

• Professionalism – Integrated resource management and public administration skills, excellent knowledge of project development and economic and strategic risk analysis, emergency field operations, project environmental impact assessment and risk management, strategic business management and planning, project fundraising and negotiation, training in environmental profiles and compliance, management of financial and human resources. Strong analytical and negotiation skills, up-to-date knowledge of current topics and international affairs and ability to build relations with public sector decision-makers, political awareness, and excellent managerial expertise.
• Planning & Organizing – Proven leadership, sound organizational skills, ability to prioritize own work programme, work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines and manage multi-disciplinary and geographically-disperse team.
• Communications – Excellent communication (spoken, written and presentational) skills, including ability to produce a variety of written communications products and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style to deliver oral presentations to various audiences as required and to effectively interact with the public in communicating information and building/maintaining effective business and official connections.
• Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills, sound emotional intelligence, ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Qualifications:

• Advanced University degree in international affairs, social or economic sciences. Relevant experience in senior level positions that involve strategy formulation and policy definition, interaction with boards of directors/trustees, overall organizational/programmatic management, financial administration, human resources management, project management, programme evaluation, development cooperation, and, work with national and/or local governments (on issues of national government's reforms, decentralisation programmes, local development programmes, capacity building programmes).
• Strong strength in negotiation, skills in partnership building and proven capacity to raise funds are a prerequisite.
• At least 15 years of professional experience within the UN and/or with national governments are required.
• Fluency in oral and written English and one other UN language is required.

UNITAR shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Priority will be given to the applicants from the under represented regions at UNITAR. There will be a probation period of 3 months.

How to apply:

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Only complete applications will be considered. A letter of motivation as well as the P11 form/ Curriculum Vitae are to be sent to:

Email: estaffing@unitar.org

UN staff members must submit copies of their latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) report at the time of application.

More Info and Application