Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Programme Coordinator reports directly to the Special Assistant of the Executive Secretary and will be under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary.

Responsibilities

The Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the following duties:

1- Coordinate protocol and related actions required for the effective organization and functioning of the Office of the Executive Secretary by building strong day-to-day working relationships and liaising with variety of internal and external clients and parties on relevant activities and tasks;
2- Establish and maintain excellent relations and networks with host country counterparts to facilitate UNESCWA’s delivery at the programmatic and administrative levels as well as for protocol and external relations purposes; 
3- Specifically, maintain good relations and communications with the host governments’ state institutions, Ministries, diplomatic corps to arrange and coordinate appointments with high-ranking government officials, Ministers and Ambassadors by liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senior Authorities’ offices and Diplomatic Community;
4- Manage the Executive Secretary’s schedule of meetings and official activities, arrange for such meetings and activities and related follow-up. Manage the administrative and coordination services required by the Executive Secretary’s schedule and commitments to be provided on timely basis;
5- Support the Head of Office in the coordination and planning of all the Executive Secretary’s missions and in preparation of relevant briefings and inputs; Develop the elements and annotated programs for the missions and establish the requirements prior to the visit ensuring all logistical-programmatic and coordinated elements are in place prior to departure and on the ground;
6- Oversee the logistical and protocol preparation of the missions of the Executive Secretary to international conferences, meetings and official visits, ensuring smooth logistical and protocol arrangements are in place, including scheduling and coordinating of bilateral meetings as required;
7- Arrange the visits to the Office of the Executive Secretary ensuring effective and direct coordination among internal and external parties. Oversee protocol issues, and organize official executives and ceremonies offered by the Office to VIPs and high level dignitaries applying commonly used practices and precedents related to protocol, and administrative practices;
8- Plan, organize and draft programmes of visits for distinguished visitors and dignitaries to UNESCWA and make the necessary arrangements, in accordance with standard UN protocol policies and procedures, in liaison with the Security and Safety Section and relevant sections in the Administrative Services Division. Coordinate relevant tasks with UN agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the authorities of the host country to ensure adequate preparation and requirements of such visits. Draft a wide range of correspondences linked to protocol issues and VIP visits (official letters and relevant note verbales);
9- Establish, develop and maintain direct contact with external partners for successful organization and preparation of high level meetings and official social events and ceremonies hosted by the office. Liaise with internal and external agencies, including Non-governmental organizations, government departments and diplomatic missions, to ensure consistent high-quality delivery of service to visitors and activities;
10- Maintain relations with the host country and field offices. Assist in the organization and servicing of group meetings and workshops. Liaise with relevant offices for coordinating security clearance requests for UNESCWA’s meetings and participants;
11- Revise, make recommendations and process various travel and logistical requests for the Executive Secretary and handle reception during departure and arrival formalities at airports, use of VIP lounges and facilities;
12- Keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in the areas of assignment, both within the UN Common System and with other entities;
13- Supervise/guide junior staff;
14- Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism -Good interpersonal skills with ability to work with high-level officials of the United Nations System and Member States. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Demonstrates knowledge of protocols and security requirements and ability to plan ahead and quickly adjust programs. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Demonstrates ability to manage multiple tasks and processes simultaneously in a fast-paced and pressured environment. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and Organizing – Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, international relations or a 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in an international organization, exposure to policy making, diplomatic relations or protocol required. Experience in coordination/support role for senior officials is required. Experience and knowledge of the UN system is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Arabic is also a working language of UNESCWA. For this position, fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Assessment

The shortlisted candidates may undergo a substantive assessment related to the functions of the post in addition to a competency-based interview. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

This position is open to nationals of Lebanon only.

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.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.