The position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and will lead the UNAMA Mine Action
Programme. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Special Representative in the United
Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and Resident and Humanitarian
Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) and has a secondary reporting line to the Director of UNMAS.
Within delegated authority, the Chief of the Mine Action Programme in Afghanistan will be
responsible for the following:
• Provides guidance to the DSRSG/RC/HC as well as the Director of UNMAS on conceptual
and operational strategy development of the Mine Action programme in Afghanistan.
• Leads, develops and maintains a Mine Action programme strategy and work plan as well as
a resource mobilization strategy; periodically reviews the programme design to ensure that
structure and budget are fit for purpose and delivers value for money; leads strategic planning
and conducts oversight of delivery of activities undertaken by the Mine Action programme,
ensuring that substantive deliverables are carried out in a timely fashion and in liaison and
coordination with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as
appropriate. Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Unit/Section. Serves as a key
interlocutor with Government authorities on Mine Action matters and leads engagement with
donors.
• Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation
to the intergovernmental bodies such as the Security Council, the General Assembly and other
policy-making organs, as appropriate.
• Contributes to the reporting to donors and intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme
performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate.
• In line with agreed oversight mechanisms, ensures that the outputs produced by the Mine
Action programme maintain required technical, safety and quality standards; promotes gender
mainstreaming and innovation; ensures that reports are clear, objective and based on
comprehensive data.
• Prepares and develops inputs for the work programme of the Mine Action component,
determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely
delivery. Considers the social, economic, political and security context of the external
operating environment and responds to potential and/or unexpected risk for programme
delivery.
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Mine
Action programme, including programmatic and substantive reviews of draft reports and
documents related to budgets and funding, monitors budget and cash flows, monitors
performance of the Mine Action programme and the performance of the implementing
partners in line with agreed parameters and critical indicators in the work plan and budget.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Component and across
organizational boundaries and provides technical advice and guidance to other UN entities
and partners when requested.
• Represents UNMAS at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues.
• Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides
programmatic/substantive expertise on Mine Action issues.
• 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 improvements; 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.
• Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links
between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals; generates and communicates
broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction;
conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
• Professionalism: Knowledge of, and exposure to strategic and operational mine action
issues, including capacity building of national institutions. Understanding of the Afghanistan
context. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the
work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work
situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence
and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments,
observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than 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 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.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public
administration, management, international relations, law or related area. A first-level
university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the
advanced university degree.
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in administration, budget,
programme management or related field is required.
A minimum of seven years of experience in the management of large programmes and/or
projects in the area of mine action, stabilisation, DDR and/or humanitarian response is required.
A minimum of five years of experience in a managerial role in a conflict or post-conflict
setting is required.
Direct experience in engaging with senior government officials in a complex humanitarian or
peacekeeping setting is required.
At least two years of managerial experience in a mine action field programme is desirable.
Experience in resource mobilization is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified applicants may include assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
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