The UNICC workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. UNICC seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity by ensuring equal opportunity and an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Purpose of the Position:

The objective of the Chief of Staff role is to serve as a key partner and advisor to the Director on political matters and to lead the development and management of UNICC’s external relations and strategic partnerships strategy. Additionally, the incumbent will enhance UNICC’s profile and position it as the leading technology-focused entity within the United Nations System providing the digital foundations essential for the UN’s digital transformation. A critical aspect of the Chief of Staff’s portfolio includes oversight of the External Relations team, with responsibility for both internal and external communications and all outreach activities. The incumbent will also execute special projects and strategic initiatives as required.

Objectives of the Programme:

UNICC provides the digital foundations that support the digital transformation and future of the UN system and other international organizations.

Main duties and responsibilities:

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the UNICC Director within the Director’s Office and in close collaboration with the Deputy Director and the Management and Strategy Division (MS). The incumbent could be requested to do any other tasks of similar level in related fields.

Strategic guidance to the Director’s Office:

• Provide strategic advice on political outreach, external relations, communications, thought leadership, advocacy, strategic partnerships, resource mobilization and other strategic engagements, contributing to the effective and efficient delivery of the UNICC mandate
• Provide advice and support to the Director and Deputy Director in their strategic leadership roles, particularly in external relations and partnership areas
• Represent the DO at relevant international, regional or national meetings, as requested
• Execute special projects in support of the DO’s strategic and external relations objectives, as requested

Strategy implementation:

• Lead or participate in working groups, taskforces, and meetings on political and external relations initiatives, aiming to enhance UNICC’s visibility and resource mobilization
• Monitor UNICC’s progress in achieving such objectives, ensuring efficient strategy execution and effective communication of strategic objectives and priorities

External Relations:

• Provide direction, cohesion and coordination for the External Relations team, including Outreach, Communications, and Strategic Partnerships functions
• Develop and implement a vision and strategy for external political outreach for enhanced visibility and resource mobilization for UNICC
• Oversee the internal and external communications strategy, ensuring alignment with UNICC’s mandate, values, and strategic priorities
• Collaborate with Executive Committee members and other managers to align communications, outreach, strategic partnerships efforts, and the development of targeted external relations strategies with UNICC strategy

Experience and Skills required:

Essential:

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience at the international level in international relations, public administration or related area
• Proven experience in providing strategic political advice and guidance to executives
• Proven experience in developing and managing relationships and partnerships with senior stakeholders and managing public relations efforts at the international level
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and cross-functional teams including senior executives in public sector
• Ability to negotiate and influence high-level decision-makers

Desirable:

• Experience in the field of digital technology is desirable

*Education:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent degree) in international relations, public administration or related field 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

Languages:

• English: Expert knowledge is required
• French: Intermediate knowledge is desirable

UNICC Global Competencies:

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflicts.
• Communicating: Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others; listens actively. Produces effective written communications. Ensures that information is shared.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Demonstrates the ability to work constructively with people of all backgrounds and orientations. Respects differences and ensures that all can contribute.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Guides and motivates staff towards meeting challenges and achieving objectives. Promotes ownership and responsibility for desired outcomes at all levels.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develops and strengthens internal and external partnerships that can provide information, assistance and support to UNICC. Identifies and uses synergies across the Organization and with external partners.
• Driving UNICC to a successful future: Demonstrates abroad-based understanding of the growing complexities of ICT issues and activities. Creates a compelling vision of shared goals and develops a roadmap for successfully achieving real progress in improving ICT services.
• Promoting UNICC’s position: Positions UNICC as a leader in ICT services. Gains support for UNICC’s mission. Coordinates plans and communicates in a way that attracts support from intended audiences.

Eligibility:

This vacancy notice is open only to internal candidates

Compensation:

Annual Salary Estimation (net of tax at single rate):

• Geneva, (Switzerland) including post adjustment (90,1% on November 2024): US$ 176,281

UNICC also offers generous leave and absence allowances, flexible working hours, overtime compensation, teleworking, access to training, and depending on eligibility other benefits such as relocation grant, dependency allowance, language allowance, or education grant.

Closing date for applications:

Applications will be accepted until midnight (Geneva Time) on 5 December 2024.

Notes:

• Technical and/or personality tests may be carried out as part of the selection process
  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
  Though you may not be selected for this advertised position, the UNICC will keep your application in a roster if your profile is deemed to be of potential interest for the Centre. You may thus be solicited by our HR department to participate in an interview for another position* For UNICC staff members who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please refer to the applicable WHO e-Manual Annex 6 – Guidelines on Standard Minimum Experience Exposure and Education Requirements

* For UNICC staff members who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please refer to the applicable WHO e-Manual Annex 6 – Guidelines on Standard Minimum Experience Exposure and Education Requirements

Please inform us should you require any specific accommodation to facilitate your application

The UNICC workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. UNICC seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity by ensuring equal opportunity and an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

For applications to be valid, they must contain a motivation letter and the filled Personal History Form.