UNDP Jobs - 31078- Reporting Officer

Reporting Officer

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

17-Jul-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

This position is located in the UN Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC), in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. UNOCC Reporting Officers report directly to the Chief of the UNOCC. The Reporting Officer seconded from UNDP will have a second reporting line to UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (Country Support Management Team).

The UNOCC will provide senior managers across the system with situational awareness of UN operations and major world events; facilitate coordinated response to crises in the field; and provide senior managers a 24/7 executive communications service. UNOCC Reporting Officers are responsible for the effective and efficient functioning of the UNOCC Watch Room. They are responsible for producing and disseminating operational reports to UN senior managers; providing support to crisis response activities; and ensuring senior managers’ executive communications needs are being met.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Management:

· Ensuring the effective and efficient day-to-day functioning of the UNOCC Watch Room

· Regularly producing the roster for the UNOCC Watch Room

· Directing, coordinating and supervising the work of the Communications and Reporting Officers in the Watch Room

· Overseeing the recruitment and training of the Communications and Reporting Officers in the Watch Room

· Acting as the First Reporting Officers for Communications and Reporting Officers in the Watch Room

· Engaging ICT officers to ensure UNOCC Watch Room ICT needs are being met

· Participating in the development and review of relevant UNOCC policies and SOPs

· Participating in the development and monitoring of the UNOCC work plan

Situational awareness:

· Remaining abreast of UN operational issues

· Reviewing daily routine and ad hoc operational reporting from departments across the UN system

· Verifying and de-conflicting information with originators at HQ and in the field

· Identifying and prioritizing issues for inclusion in regular system-wide operational reporting, including news/media reporting on priority matters relating to global events

· Summarizing information and developing supporting graphics to produce and approve twice daily operational reports

· Producing and approving ad hoc special incident (‘flash’) reports

· Engaging with GIS officers to ensure the inclusion of relevant graphics in operational reports

· Disseminating operational reports

· Overseeing the maintenance of distribution lists

· Responding to UN leadership requests for information

· Preparing regular UN leadership briefs

· Briefing UN leaders when required

· Engaging in UNOCC analysis activity, as required

Crisis response:

· Briefing crisis response meetings when required

· Carrying out other tasks in support of crisis response activity as required

Executive communications:

· Ensuring relevant contacts data is being captured and that the integrated contacts database is being properly maintained

· Ensuring UN senior management executive communications needs are being met

Important notice: Reporting Officers do not participate in the 24/7 shift system but will be required to start work no later than 06:00hrs. Additionally, at least one Reporting Officer will be expected to be on duty (contactable via telephone) at all times.

Impact of Results

The UN Operations and Crisis Centre aims to consolidate and enhance the effectiveness of UN situational awareness and crisis response. The core functions of the UNOCC are to support UNHQ crisis response, provide situational awareness and deliver executive communications.

Competencies

Professionalism: - Ability to work under time pressure, in a high-tempo environment; Broad knowledge of UN operational issues; Exercises sound judgment in identifying priority issues from information received; Ability to synthesize information and draft clearly, succinctly and quickly; Competent verbal briefer; Highly developed interpersonal skills; Good liaison skills; Actively develops relations with interlocutors; Demonstrates flexibility, adaptability and willingness to support crisis activities as required; Identifies the need for follow up actions on information received and ensures they are taken expeditiously; 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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Accountability: - Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; 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.

Managing Performance: - Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.

Judgment and 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; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Checks assumptions against facts; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, law, communications or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience undertaking operational and analytical work in the field of international affairs, international security, humanitarian affairs, development or journalism. Experience in a field mission and at Headquarters is desirable. Experience supervising people is required. Experience in the use of MS Word, PowerPoint, databases, the Internet and electronic media applications is required.

Language Requirements:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language, preferably French, is an advantage.