Historique

The Geneva Representation Office (RO) is strategically important as it contributes to strengthening and enhancing the UN development system, by leveraging the efforts of UN and intergovernmental entities, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and donor representatives. The RO plays a key role in inter-agency processes and as a facilitator and catalyst of innovative partnerships for sustainable development. Furthermore, it helps UNDP to position itself strategically vis-à-vis its partners and donors, including to mobilize financial support for the organisation.

The RO is responsible for both external relations functions (representation, communications, donor relationships) and programmatic functions related to partnerships with Geneva-based institutions (including on issues related to crisis prevention/recovery, HIV/health, DRR, displacement, trade, climate change). The RO contributes to UNDP leadership across numerous development issues, advocates for a development lens in humanitarian work, and shapes system-wide policies and global norms. It serves as the hub for UNDP’s leadership for the Global Cluster on Early Recovery, enabling UNDP to respond quickly to crisis, support UNCTs in early recovery coordination at country level, effectively use early recovery and resilience-based development approaches, and leverage Geneva partners’ efforts.

The RO Director promotes coherence in inter-agency development processes, and ensures appropriate coordination and alignment of the Office’s work and activities with wider UNDP, including BPPS and CRU, partnership strategies.

Under the supervision of the BERA Deputy Director, and in collaboration with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and Crisis Response Unit (CRU), the RO Director leads UNDP efforts to build strategic relationships with key constituencies (governments, parliamentarians, private sector, NGOs, media, etc.) in Switzerland and France in particular, and wherever possible in other European countries not covered by the Brussels and Copenhagen ROs – e.g. the UK, Netherlands, Germany. S/he also contributes as appropriate to the work of BPPS/CRU staff in Geneva on relevant development issues, in liaison with their BPPS/CRU managers.

A key responsibility of the Director is to draw on synergies across UNDP programmes and partnerships to contribute to increasing UNDP Core and non-core resources, and to support actively diversification of UNDP’s funding base.

Overall, the Director of the Geneva RO will:

• Coordinate and advise on the creation and strengthening of partnerships with Geneva-based institutions and major European bilateral donors, including through coordinating and securing resource commitments;
• Provide policy oversight and strategic guidance of BPPS and CRU functions in Geneva and other relevant European countries, including building partnerships with Geneva-based actors on CPR issues;
• Coordinate with UN and other International Organizations in Geneva to further UNDP priorities and principles;
• Represent and position UNDP with key constituencies, and raise its profile and visibility through strategic and targeted communications and marketing activities, in collaboration with Communications Group in New York;
• Lead and manage the UNDP Office in Geneva;
• Provide support to UNDP offices and other ROs in Europe as necessary or when suitable opportunities arise.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Coordinate and advise on the creation and strengthening of partnerships with Geneva based institutions and designated bilateral donors, including coordinating and securing resource commitments:

• Lead and support active and strategic RO engagement with Geneva-based partners (national government counterparts, permanent missions and regional groupings, UN system, sub-national and local authorities, inter-government and non-governmental organizations, institutes and academia, think-tank, business groups, private corporations and other policy makers), for advancing and successfully achieving the missions of UNDP;
• Serve as the primary interface of UNDP with the international community in – and more broadly with external development, humanitarian and human rights partners based in – Western Europe;
• Serve as the principal interface between UNDP and designated bilateral donors, including relevant ministries, parliamentarians, and other government members to build and strengthen the knowledge, understanding, and importance of UNDP’s work and common interests, enhancing its relationship with those countries;
• In collaboration with colleagues in New York and at CO level, support development of resource mobilization strategies for core and non-core resources, by outreach, negotiation and facilitation with key constituencies;
• Provide strategic guidance and support to COs related to their engagement with Geneva partners.

Policy oversight and strategic guidance of BPPS and CRU functions in Geneva:

• In coordination with BPPS and CRU senior management, ensure effective management of Geneva-based activities and full alignment with overall UNDP strategies, including through provision of consistent, coherent and comprehensive support and advisory services on opportunities for better collaboration and integration;
• Oversee development/implementation of annual work plans of UNDP programmes based in Geneva;
• Support work of project-based units including the UNDP-Global Fund Partnership and the UN-REDD initiative;
• Develop and advocate for UNDP policies and positions at inter-agency consultations and relevant policy fora;
• Ensure effective liaison with relevant Geneva-based UN partners, other international organizations and donors in relation to alignment and coordination of country-specific operational activities;
• Ensure that inter-agency decisions and directives are communicated to and followed up within UNDP.

Coordination with UN System in Geneva:

• Work with Geneva-based partners to advance the role of the UN system with a wide range of constituencies;
• Represent UNDP, as appropriate, in the governing bodies of Geneva and Rome-based UN agencies;
• Promote the broader development effectiveness and UN coherence agenda, eg by forging new partnerships;
• Represent UNDP in relevant inter-agency processes in Geneva in coordination and agreement with BPPS and CRU as appropriate;
• Support the management and coordination of important CPR functions in collaboration with BPPS and CRU;
• Lead collaboration with key partners, eg OCHA, ISDR, PESO, UNHCR, ILO, UNCTAD, WTO, OHCHR, UNECE.

Represent and strategically position UNDP with key constituencies; raise the profile and visibility of the UN and its work through strategic and targeted communications and marketing activities (i.e. advocacy), in collaboration with communications teams at HQ level:

• Actively support and contribute to outreach to other major European partners not covered by the Brussels and Copenhagen ROs, eg the UK, Netherlands, Germany, so contributing to strengthening UNDP relationships;
• Advocate UNDP policy positions, influence agenda and priority setting, and deliver presentation on UNDP programmes and activities and flagship reports (e.g. Human Development Reports) to key constituencies;
• Organize and contribute to policy discussions on development in general and areas of specific concern to UNDP;
• Represent UNDP at key conferences and debates to mobilize support for UNDP from a wide range of audiences;
• Promote UNDP work on sport and development, in partnership with international sport organisations;
• Ensure visibility of UNDP work and support efforts to publicise UNDP work, including in crisis communications.

Lead and management UNDP Office in Geneva:

• Lead and manage Geneva RO staff, including full accountability for human resources (eg PMDs, training, staff development) financial resources (ensuring financial integrity of the RO), administrative, IT and security matters;
• Oversee the RO’s work plan and supervise the implementation of UNDP Global Programs based in Geneva;
• Organize seminars, briefings, etc and support senior UN/UNDP visits to Geneva, as requested by UNDP senior management, facilitating related logistic arrangements, within the limits of RO capacity and budgets;
• Facilitate contacts with Geneva-based agencies, contributing as needed to agendas, related briefing notes etc.

Compétences

Core Competencies:

• Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work;
• Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow;
• People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
• Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;
• Delivery: Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional Competencies:

Primary:

Partnerships:

• Knowledge of key concepts, principles and policies and the ability to ethically and effectively apply in strategic and/or practical situations.

Representation:

• Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues).

Resource Mobilization:

• Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources (definition is unclear and not well linked to the stated competency).

Strategic Planning:

• Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission.

UN System:

• Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Secondary

• Brand & Quality Management:

Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality.

Negotiation:

• Ability to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference, or gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue.

Risk Management:

• Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Law, Economics, International Development, International Relations, Public Administration, Management or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience;
• Proven representational, diplomatic, and negotiation skills and ability to interface effectively at senior levels of government, development agencies, and other organizations;
•  Knowledge of a wide range of UNDP policies and programmes, including in development, crisis and post-crisis situations;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain excellent relationships with key partners; politically astute in partnership building, especially within UN system;
• Ability to communicate and advocate for the purposes of mobilizing support for UNDP from a wide range of audiences, including government organizations, parliamentarians, academics, CSOs, and private firms;
• Sound track record of having applied UN/UNDP policies and procedures, and experience in the organization’s operational activities, including UNDP Country Office experience at a senior level;
• Experience in dealing with the media, and sensitivity to media concerns and interests, and;
• Fully conversant in current issues and trends in development policy and practice.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English, and proficiency in French is required;
• Working knowledge of additional EU languages is an asset.