Chief of Staff
Organizational Context
The United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Libreville, Gabon, is responsible for ensuring the integrated and coherent functioning of the mission across all areas. The Chief of Staff reports to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOCA, overseeing strategic planning, policy coordination, decision-making, and information management to support the mandate delivery across ECCAS member states.
Job Purpose
The Chief of Staff (COS) is pivotal in ensuring the integrated and coherent functioning of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). This role involves overseeing core mechanisms and processes essential for mandate delivery, including strategic and operational planning, policy development and coordination, and senior-level decision-making. The COS facilitates the translation of the Special Representative's strategic vision into actionable tasks, working with various components to ensure effective implementation. Key responsibilities include managing mission activities, overseeing internal management, advising on policies, and ensuring alignment between substantive priorities and support capacities. The position also involves managing information, facilitating communication with UN Headquarters, and advising on protocol matters, all contributing to the efficient and effective execution of UNOCA's mandate across Central African states.
Responsibilities
The Chief of Staff is responsible for the effective direction and integrated management of all mission activities, aligning them with the strategic vision of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG). This includes overseeing internal management, advising on policies, and managing risk. The role involves translating high-level direction into viable tasks and ensuring their effective implementation by various components. The Chief of Staff directs core integrated processes for mandate delivery, such as programme, information, and crisis management, and oversees staff within the SRSG's office. Key duties include managing sensitive personnel and management issues, acting as a liaison for internal oversight, and overseeing senior management recruitment. The position also entails leading mission-wide planning, ensuring coherence between mandated tasks and operational plans, and overseeing strategic planning, policy coordination, and decision-making processes. Budgetary processes, policy guidance, cross-cutting policy development, and reporting structures are also managed. Furthermore, the Chief of Staff oversees information analysis and management systems, knowledge management, and protocol matters, including facilitating discussions with national governments and coordinating official visits.
Work Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in political, social, civil, military, or legal affairs; public or business administration; or management is required. Proven leadership and management experience in multicultural settings, including coordinating interdisciplinary teams, is essential. Experience in a senior advisory or managerial capacity within the UN Headquarters or a field operation is desirable, as is experience in UN budgetary processes. Experience in a volatile security environment within the UN or a comparable international organization is also desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, leadership, judgment/decision-making, communication, planning and organizing, strategic analytical capacity, negotiation, ability to work under pressure, knowledge of UN mandates and policies, gender mainstreaming.