Chief, Space Applications Section, P-5

UNOOSA - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

Vienna, Austria

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) implements the programme on the peaceful uses of outer space which works to bring the benefits of space to humankind by promoting international cooperation in space activities.

This position is located in the Space Applications Section (SAS) of the Office and is based in Vienna. SAS implements the activities of the Programme on Space Applications (PSA), the International Committee on Global Navigation and Satellite Systems (ICG) and the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), which includes building capacity in space science and technology uses, particularly in the priority areas for the implementation of the Office programmes and activities related to Space for SDGs, Space for Climate Change, Disaster Management and humanitarian assistance, access to satellite data, global health, water management, environmental monitoring and natural resource management. The Chief, SAS works under the direct supervision of the Director of the Office.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief formulates, leads, and/or directs the development, execution, monitoring and evaluation of activities and operations of SAS, as well as other activities in the assigned functional area.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

Propose work plans and priorities of the Section and implement Space Applications Section’s mandates and objectives, taking into account the priorities, directives, approved work plans and other policy frameworks of the Office and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space;
Liaise with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the activities organized by the Office in the scope of SAS are of relevance to the development objectives of developing countries. Manage the dissemination of information to stakeholders on the status of SAS activities;
Plan and oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Space Applications Section, ensure that the substantive work programme is carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating the related activities and projects in the Section, and in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate;
Co-ordinate the work carried out with the other Sections of the Office, provide programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by staff of the Section, as well as other Sections of the Office as appropriate;
Provide expert advice to the Director in managing external relations connected to the implementation of PSA, UN-SPIDER, ICG activities and any other actions to be implemented by SAS;
Oversee the implementation of the capacity building and technical support activities and initiatives to be carried out within the framework of the priority areas and projects of SAS;
Manage, supervise and carry out the work by the Section. Co-ordinate the work carried out with the other Sections of the Office, provide programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by staff of the Section, as well as other Sections of the Office as appropriate;
Provide expert advice to the Director in managing external relations connected to the implementation of PSA;
Discuss and negotiate with Member States and space-related entities on the organization of future activities of PSA, particularly during annual sessions of the Committee and its Subcommittees;
Manage the development of capacity building and technical support initiatives that promote the use of space science and technology applications in developing countries;
Oversee the implementation of the capacity building and technical support activities and initiatives to be carried out within the framework of the priority areas and projects of PSA;
Provide advice to Member States and to other UN programmes on matters relating to space technology and its applications;
Represent, upon request, the Director in meetings of relevant international bodies, space-related international conferences of governmental and non-governmental organizations, on matters related to SAS activities or to other areas of work as delegated and as appropriate;
Take the lead in providing technical advisory services, on request, to Member States and their space applications related institutions and propose and organize technical advisory missions addressing areas of work that fall within the scope of SAS;
Closely monitor programme performance and implementation, identify bottlenecks and gaps and mechanisms to improve programme delivery;
Ensure that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards, that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensure that all outputs produced by the Section meet such required standards before completion;
Provide substantive input to the preparation of the Office’s programme planning, budget and performance documents, annual reports and other programme management and evaluation outputs, as appropriate;
Work closely with the Office of the Director to identify funding needs of SAS and of the Office as a whole, including leading the preparation of materials for and participating in major donors meetings and fund-raising missions and activities;
Review and contribute to the preparation of reports, briefing packages, studies, background documents and other submissions required by the Director and for presentation to COPUOS and its subsidiary bodies, the Fourth Committee, the General Assembly and budgetary bodies of the United Nations. Manage the development, establishment and maintenance of a set of procedures, standards and tools that are consistent with UN policies and practices in order to ensure that the latest developments and innovations in space applications are integrated in the formulation and implementation of the Office's programme, plans of work and projects;
Coordinate and support, as appropriate, the negotiation of the terms of funding agreements with donors; ensure the preparation of necessary legal documents such as host country agreements, exchanges of letters and memoranda of understanding, including assisting in monitoring the status of such documents and making proposals for improving and facilitating their timely conclusion;
Carry out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including delegation of authority for the management of the different programmes and projects implemented by the Section (SPIDER, ICG, PSA), preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates;
Manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision;
Foster teamwork and communication among staff under her/his supervision;
Lead team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provide insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensure that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need;
Perform other work-related duties, as may be required, to support the delivery of the programme of work of the Office.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge of policies and practices in space science and technology, as well as the mandates, major developments and challenges in functional and substantive areas covered by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs,. Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to space science and technology applications related issues. Has ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Has demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Has demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Is able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; educates and encourages junior staff to develop their profession; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faces with difficult problems or challenges; remain calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
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;
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; 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: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; 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; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly;
Judgement/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; 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; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in space science and technology, geospatial science or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of professional experience in space-related or geospatial fields, including several years of experience at the international level, is required;
Practical work experience in defining and implementing global and regional programmes that contribute to promoting the use of space-based technologies including in developing countries is required;
Work experience in programme administration and management, including programme planning, budgeting, performance and evaluation, in space-related fields at the national and international level is required;
Work experience in preparing, editing and presenting technical, scientific and programme reports in English is required;
Work experience in preparing projects, drafting scientific and technical reports and in organizing workshops and training courses is desirable;
Work experience in working with Earth observation data is desirable;
Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

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