Senior Specialist – P04

Senior Specialist – P04

Duties and responsibilities:

This is a Senior Specialist position in the SEDI/Department of Sustainable Development (DSD).  The DSD is the lead Department within the OAS Secretariat for Integral Development responsible for supporting Member States in their efforts to enhance sustainable development through programs and activities related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk management, integrated water resource management, sustainable energy, biodiversity, and other environmental challenges.  

This position will pursue a proactive approach to disaster risk management which will contribute to reducing the negative impact of natural and man-made hazard events, mitigate risks and the effects of climate change to enhance regional sustainable development. The position will coordinate the design and adoption of disaster mitigation preparedness and response policies and practices that reduce disaster related loss at the national and regional levels. Additionally, the position will inform the development of mechanisms, programs, projects and arrangements which will assist member states in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural and man-made hazard events.

The position will report to the Director of the Department of Sustainable Development.  The person in this position will be assigned all or part of the following responsibilities (NOTE: these responsibilities and expected results are standardized, and are not necessarily performed by all staff members sharing this job title):

·       Manage all technical aspects of the disaster risk management portfolio of the SEDI/Department of Sustainable Development.

·       Support the formulation and application of disaster preparedness response protocols and disseminate regional and subregional mechanisms and instruments.

·       Support the design and implementation of national and regional policies for Disaster Risk management in the context of the SENDAI Framework.

·       Support the development and harmonization of cross-border community based Early Warning Systems (EWS) and resilient community development.

·       Serve as technical lead for the Inter-American Network for Disaster Mitigation (INDM).

·       Promote cooperation between member states and the scientific community and institutions on applied research in disaster management.

·       Consult with and provide advice to governmental and other entities and OAS/institutional counterparts on Disaster Risk Management 

·       Support Member States in the areas of capacity building, knowledge sharing, and training designed to strengthen institutional responses to disaster related risks and in an effort to enhance resiliency.

·       Identify, design, propose and execute fundraising initiatives for disaster risk management priorities of member states.

·       Oversee the organization of meetings, planning and carrying out analytical work, preparing project proposals, reports, conceptual pieces, papers and publications for dissemination; as well as developing analytical and technical briefings, talking points, presentations and other documents for review by the Director and/or the Secretary, and their submission to political bodies, the Assistant Secretary General and the Secretary General.

·         Participate in, and as assigned, lead and coordinate the organization and deployment of department/section-specific activities, including but not limited to: establishing procedures and defining methods of work; anticipating and analyzing events and/or potential problems and politically sensitive situations and recommending appropriate actions and deciding on how best to address such.

·         As required, advise the departmental Director, the Secretary and member of the GS/OAS on progress, and gaps on the development and implementation of department/section-specific projects and activities.

·       Participate in, and as assigned, lead and coordinate the organization and deployment of technical assistance programs and project-specific activities.  This may include initiatives targeting the critical science and data gaps for risk mitigation.

·       Evaluate sustainable development trends and events affecting the political situation in the hemisphere, recommending actions, draft talking points and speeches.

·       Represent the OAS, SEDI, DSD at national and/or international meetings, conferences, and other events.  This may entail presenting and/or defending technical and policy positions to Permanent Missions, Observer Missions, other official bodies, and private sector entities as well as promote the OAS mandate and achievements.

·       Take a lead role in monitoring the execution and accounts of projects, processing and following-up on administrative and financial actions in coordination with the appropriate personnel.

·        Perform other related duties as assigned, including replacing, and backstopping for others.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

·       Essential: First University degree (Bachelor’s) in an area relevant to climate and disaster risk management, life sciences, earth sciences, urban planning, engineering, infrastructure, or related fields and 11 years of experience in similar positions including project management at national and international level OR Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in one of the fields listed above and 7 years of relevant experience OR Doctorate and 4 years of relevant experience.

·       Desirable: Experience or knowledge of the OAS mandate and priorities as related to the area of work and/or the dynamics of the Inter-American agenda and system.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

 

Ability to effectively work using Microsoft Office (e.g. Outlook, Word, and Excel), and other software applicable to the area of work.

LANGUAGES:

• Essential – Proficient in at least two of the official languages of the OAS (read, write, and communicate). Language proficiency examination will be required.

• Desirable – Working knowledge of other two OAS official languages.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES:

Client Orientation, Knowledge Sharing, Teamwork, Interpersonal Skills, Managing and Coaching Staff, Strategic Planning, Encouraging Innovation, and Decision Making/Judgment. Ability to clearly communicate in the languages required for the post.

The GS/OAS embraces equality, diversity and inclusion. Thus, the GS/OAS, in accordance with its rules and regulations, is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, achieving a diverse staff, and will take into account a wide geographic representation, as well as gender equity and equality, in the selection of candidates.

In accordance with paragraph f. of Article 44 of the General Standards, the official languages of the Organization are English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.  No candidate for a position in the General Secretariat subject to the competition requirement shall be contracted until he/she has passed language proficiency exams administered by the DHR in at least two of the official languages. Nevertheless, i) Any candidate, including staff member whose native language is one of those four languages shall only be required to demonstrate proficiency on an exam in one of the others; and (ii) Persons applying for G-1 and G-2 positions at Headquarters and G-3 driver/clerk positions in those Offices of the General Secretariat in the Member States where the language requirement unduly restricts the recruitment of otherwise qualified staff shall be exempt from this language proficiency requirement for as long as they occupy those positions. Subsequently, in order to be eligible to compete for a higher-level position, any staff member who has benefited from this exemption must demonstrate proficiency in a second official language of the Organization. (iii) A person selected as the best candidate may receive a fixed-term contract, which will be considered to have lapsed in case the person does not pass the required language examination within the 36 months following the appointment. 

Please note that the mandatory retirement age for staff members at the General Secretariat of the OAS is 65 years.Please note that the mandatory retirement age for staff members at the General Secretariat of the OAS is 65 years.