Job Title: Chief of Section (Population), P5
Department/ Office: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR WESTERN ASIA
Duty Station: BEIRUT
Posting Period: 29 July 2011-27 September 2011
Job Opening number: 11-POP-ESCWA-20652-R-BEIRUT
This post is located within the Population and Social Development Section of the Social Development Division (SDD) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Chief of Section reports directly to and will be under the overall supervision of the Director of SDD.
Responsibilities
The Chief of Section will be responsible for carrying out the following:
1- Has major responsibility for the formulation, organization and management of a Section’s substantive work programme on population and social development;
2- Leads, supervises and carries out the work required to prepare population estimates and projections;
3- Leads, supervises and carries out the work required to produce technical studies on socio-demographic trends and policies, including those concerning age structural changes, fertility, mortality, youth development, ageing, international migration and other relevant issues related to the implementation of the UN development agenda;
4- Carries out the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, reporting on programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of input for results-based budgeting;
5- Leads and supervises the organization and substantive preparation of expert group meetings, seminars and training workshops on population and social development issues;
6- Contributes to the preparation of intergovernmental and inter-agency meetings and provide inputs to such meetings in the area of population and social development;
7- Represents the Division or ESCWA in international, regional or national meetings to present results of research, provide substantive expertise or hold substantive discussions with representatives of other institutions in the area of population and social development;
8- Leads, supervises and carries out technical cooperation activities related to the regular work programme in the area of population and social development;
9- Prepares research proposals for external funding on population and social development issues;
10- Prepares briefing notes and press releases on population and social development issues; 11- Perform other tasks, as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence, expert knowledge and mastery of substantive issues in the area of population and social development, including those concerning age structural changes, fertility, mortality, youth development, ageing, international migration and other relevant issues related to the implementation of the ongoing and future UN development agenda; proven ability to produce substantive reports and technical papers on population and social development issues; ability to solve difficult problems and challenges.
Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve the Section’s programmes, outputs and services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet clients’ needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes interest in new ways of carrying out activities.
Leadership: 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; 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.
Judgement/ Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; 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; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sociology, demography or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience is required in the areas of population and social development, including extensive experience on and in-depth knowledge of region-specific issues. Experience in managing staff is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Arabic is also a working language of ESCWA. For this post, fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
The shortlisted candidates will undergo a substantive presentation and a competency-based interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Special Notice
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. Staff members are requested to
indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations 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). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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