Chief of Staff

About the role

The Chief of Staff is based in the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Libreville, Gabon, which is classified as a "A" hardship duty station and a family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOCA, whose mandate covers the ECCAS countries. The Chief of Staff ensures the integrated and coherent functioning of the mission and oversees strategic and operational planning, policy and coordination, senior-level decision-making and information management.

Key responsibilities

• Management: direct and oversee the mission's activities, promote management policies including risk management, translate leadership direction into work, and hold overall management responsibility for the SRSG's office staff
• Serve as focal point for sensitive personnel and management issues and as interface with the Office of Internal Oversight Services and the Resident Auditor
• Oversee mission-wide planning, work plans and the results-based budget process in coordination with the Chief Mission Support
• Coordinate cross-cutting and management policies and provide guidance on UN policies and procedures
• Ensure coherent communications and information systems, including information sharing, security classification, records management and knowledge management
• Advise the SRSG on protocol and supervise official visits

Required profile

• In-depth knowledge of peacekeeping missions and their operations, and of the political, social and economic environment
• Expert knowledge of conduct and discipline issues and their link to post-conflict recovery
• Demonstrated capacity for intellectual leadership, independent judgment and strong negotiation skills
• Ability to work under extreme pressure and to incorporate gender perspectives