UN Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary

Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary, P-4

Executive Direction and Management (EDM) Programme

 

Office of the Executive Secretary

 

Deadline for application : 23 September 2016

 

Announcement number : VA 16_025_EDM_P4_

 

Expected date for entry on duty: As soon as possible

 

Duration of appointment: One and half years with possibility of extension          

 

Duty Station: Bonn, Germany

           

Publication date: 25 August 2016, Post number: 30517695

 

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the focus of the political process to address Climate Change. The Convention secretariat supports the Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement by a range of activities, including substantive and organizational support to meetings of the Parties.

 

The Executive Direction and Management (EDM) programme promotes the overall coherence of the work of the secretariat and its responsiveness to the needs of the Convention and Protocol and Paris Agreement bodies. EDM provides overall leadership and strategic guidance to the secretariat, liaises with presiding officers of the Convention and Protocol and Paris Agreement bodies and with high-level representatives of Parties and observers; undertakes analysis of emerging policy issues; coordinates the secretariat’s representational, outreach and public information activities; oversees the management of the financial and human resources of the secretariat and maintains the information flow for the whole secretariat.

 

Where will you be working:

 

You will be working with the Executive Direction and Management programme. You will report directly to the Chief of Staff and work in close cooperation with the Executive Secretary. You will have contacts with staff across the secretariat linked to global outreach activities, climate change policies and requested inputs for the use of the Executive Secretary during her various missions, meetings and external relation activities.

 

Expected key results: 

• Management, liaison and operational support
• Strategic outreach activities non-State actors and stakeholders
• Policy advice and support. 

You will have the following responsibilities:

1. In the area of Management, liaison and operational support, you will:   

• Oversee substantive preparation for Executive Secretary’s meetings/missions by coordinating briefing notes, organize mission files etc.;
• Keep the ES informed on all matters requiring his/her personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed;
• Organize and oversee the ES’s agenda in coordination with the ES’s Personal Assistant and others in EDM;
• Organize special events and meetings, coordinating all logistical preparations and attendance/ representation to these events;
• Support consistent sharing of information, respond to queries from staff and provide guidance and assistance in response to ES’s specific requests;
• Draft ES’s formal and e-mail correspondence as may be requested;
• Finalize and edit speeches and presentations for the ES;
• Assist in the preparation of working documents for various international and intergovernmental meetings.

2. In the area of Strategic outreach activities (non-State actors), you will: 

• Implement the secretariat’s  strategic  outreach activities with non-State actors by identifying, enhancing and developing  new and existing cooperative relationships on behalf of the Executive Secretary;
• Work closely with programmes of UNFCCC to solicit, develop and give feedback on substantive inputs for cooperative relations and processes with the private sector, civil society and other relevant stakeholders;
• Develop and maintain up-to-date analysis of the external context and stakeholders relevant to UNFCCC’s mandate and objectives;
• Represent the programme in various meetings at national and international level with non-State actors. 

3.With regard to the Policy advice, you will:  

• Identify, analyse and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the mandate of the UNFCCC secretariat;
• Assess implications and make recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to enhance mandated objectives;
• Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation;
• Draft and/or review substantive correspondence as well as edit and clear briefing notes, talking points, meetings notes prepared by others etc. 

What are we looking for

 

Educational background:

 

Required:         

Advanced university degree in environmental science/climate change, international relations, political science and/or public administration. Additional years of relevant experience may substitute an advanced degree.

 

Experience:

 

Required:         

At least seven (7) years of experience with intergovernmental processes, including coordination and liaising functions among various stakeholders. At least three years should have been in an international environment.

 

Specific professional knowledge

 

Required:           

• Expertise in providing organizational and substantive support to high-level executives.
• Expertise in policy analysis and drafting.
• Expertise in outreach and coordination of substantive issues with a wide array of actors. 

Job-related skills

 

Required: 

Proven analytical, negotiation and political skills. Excellent planning and organizing skills. Excellent writing skills.

 

Language skills

 

Required:

Fluency in oral and written English and proficiency in Spanish.

 

Advantage:

Working knowledge of another UN language.

 

What is the selection Process:

 

You may be invited for assessment of your technical/professional knowledge. If successful you may be invited for the final stage of the selection process, which consists of a competency based interview to assess the skills and aptitudes required to successfully perform the functions of the post. The following set of competencies for this particular post will be applied: delivering results, communicating with impact, being responsive to clients and partners.

 

How to apply:

 

Candidates, whose qualifications and experience match what we are looking for, should use the on-line application system available at http://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/recruitment.

 

Please note: 

• Qualified women candidates and candidates from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.
• Service is limited to the UNFCCC Secretariat.
• We will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates under serious consideration and contacted for an interview will receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.
• Indicative net annual salary and allowances: 

US$ 69,032 to 76,358 (without dependents)

US$ 74,130 to 82,193 (with dependents)

(plus variable post adjustment, currently 26.2% of net salary),

plus other UN benefits as indicated in the link below:

https://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/conditions-of-employment.html