Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Mission in Support of the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA). The incumbent will be based in Hudaydah, Yemen and will report to the Head of Mission (HoM).

Responsibilities

The Chief of Staff is responsible for ensuring the integrated and coherent functioning of the mission across all areas, components and locations. To that effect, the incumbent oversees the core mechanisms and processes that enable the integrated delivery of the mission’s mandate, in particular strategic and operational planning, policy coordination, senior-level decision-making and information management Within the limits of delegated authority, the Chief of Staff will be responsible for performing the following duties: Management: Ensures the effective direction and integrated management of all the mission’s activities in line with the strategic vision and guidance of the HoM. Oversees the internal management of the mission on behalf of the HoM, including the development of advice on and promotion of policies on management issues, including risk management. Facilitates the translation of policy intent and high-level direction of mission leadership into viable tasks and works with components to ensure their effective implementation. Directs and oversees core integrated processes and mechanisms that enable the integrated delivery of the mission’s mandate, including programme management, reform/change management, information management and crisis management. Oversees the coordination of and support to Field Offices, ensuring the implementation of a well-articulated policy for the reporting and management of substantive staff within Field Offices, and regular meetings between heads of Field Offices and Mission Headquarters. Oversees the activities of all entities located in the Office of the Chief of Staff or the Office of the HoM, as appropriate. Serves as the focal point in the Office of the HoM for all sensitive personnel and management issues, as well as for contacts with the Office of Internal Oversight Services and the Resident Auditor. Serves as interface between the O/HoM and the Division of Mission Support on all personnel matters and oversees the recruitment of senior mission management appointments. Planning and budgeting: Facilitates and guides Mission-wide planning processes, ensuring coherence is maintained between mandated tasks, component plans/concepts of operations and, where appropriate, United Nations-system-wide integrated planning processes (such as Integrated Strategic Frameworks), as required by policies, guidelines and best practices on planning, in particular the Integrated Mission Planning Process (IMPP) and risk management, and incorporates mandated cross-cutting issues, such as gender mainstreaming; and, supervises and provides managerial guidance to mission planning staff to this effect. Design strategies to ensure the proper conduct of processes critical to the delivery of mandate implementation, particularly strategic planning, policy coordination and senior level decision-making. The CoS also ensures a clear understanding between substantive priorities and support capacities; and liaises with all components to advise and ensure the use of the best methods for achieving the objectives and priorities of the operation/mission. Facilitates the translation of policy intent and high-level direction by leadership of the operation/mission into viable work plans and works with components to ensure the implementation of those work plans. In coordination with the Director/Chief Mission Support, ensures an integrated approach to the results-based budget process, including alignment with strategic and operational plans and adequate provisions to meet resource requirements, and oversees the process as it relates to substantive mission components. Periodically reviews, with the mission leadership team, the delivery of component work plans, identifying necessary adjustments to mission plans and/or revised assumptions, as appropriate. Policy: Provides guidance on United Nations policies and procedures. Influences and guides the development and implementation of cross-cutting and management policies among the various components of the Mission and liaises with the United Nations Country Team on the same, when required, and in coordination with the Deputy SRSG/HC/RC, as appropriate. Ensures that advice and information on cross-cutting issues is coordinated with all relevant components of the Mission prior to submission to the HoM. Reporting, communications and information management: Ensures effective functioning of coherent communications structures and systems and serves as the focal point for communication with United Nations Headquarters in New York. Oversees mission-wide, integrated procedures and systems for information analysis and management, including intra-mission information sharing, reporting requirements, security classification, records management and publication of Intranet content. Oversees the establishment and proper functioning of Joint Operations Centres, Joint Mission Analysis Centres and mission planning capacity. Oversees the implementation of knowledge management approaches throughout the mission, such as handover notes, after-action reviews and end-of-assignment reports. Protocol: In close consultation with the HoM and Director/Chief Mission Support, facilitates discussions between the mission and national government on issues related to mission’s functions. Advises the HoM on protocol matters and supervises and provides guidance on the preparation and coordination of official visits.

Competencies

Professionalism: Experience of multilateral diplomacy; project management; seasoned political analyst with extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting; Strong communication and analytical skills, as well as political acumen. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather then personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours 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. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. 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. Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following disciplines: international relations, political science, business administration, public administration, management, law, or military studies is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in such areas as: political, social, civil, military or legal affairs; public or business administration; or management is required. Proven track record of leadership and management in multicultural settings, including coordination of interdisciplinary teams is required. Experience serving at United Nations Headquarters or in United Nations field operations is required. Experience in both inter-agency and operational planning and analysis is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.