JOB DESCRIPTION

Org. Setting and Reporting
This post is located in the Vehicle Regulations, Road Traffic Safety and Transport Innovations Section of the Sustainable Transport Division (STD) of the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the D-1, Chief, Sustainable Transport Division, and is under the general supervision of the Executive Secretary (USG) of UNECE.

Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Sustainable Transport Division, the Chief of the Vehicle Regulations, Road Traffic Safety and Transport Innovations Section will be responsible for the following: 1. As Chief of Section, lead, supervise and carry out the work programme of the Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section and coordinate the work carried out by the staff members of the Section. This includes: supervision of the activities and programme of work of the Working Parties under the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicles Regulations (WP.29), namely those on the Pollution and Energy (GRPE); General Safety Provisions (GRSG); Brakes and Running Gear (GRRF); Lighting and Light-signalling (GRE); Noise (GRB); and Passive Safety (GRSP); as well as of the Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1), Working Party on Transport of Perishable Foodstuff (WP.11), Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) and its subsidiaries, and Group of Experts on the European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Transport (AETR).; provision of substantive and policy direction; participation in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes, including analytical and capacity building activities, relevant publications and data bases. 2. Act as secretary to the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicles Regulations (WP.29), its coordinating committee (AC.2), the Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1), the Executive Committee of the 1998 Agreement (AC.3), and the Administrative Committee of the 1997 Agreement (AC.4). Plan and organize the activities of the Working Party in line with its programme of work. Prepare relevant documentation and establish productive partnerships among Contracting Parties, non-governmental organizations and other clients in the field. This also involves: preparing documentation, agendas, reports; servicing meetings; carrying out follow-up actions, including the preparation of recommendations and resolutions adopted by the World Forum as well as the transmission of the adopted proposals for regulations, their amendments and rules to the OLA in New York. 3. Provide efficient services as well as legal and policy support to Contracting Parties for the effective monitoring and implementation of the vehicle related agreements administered by the Section (1958, 1998, 1997) as well as ATP, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, 1968 Conventions on Road Traffic and Road Signs and Signals, AETR and other related legal instruments. 4. Oversee and coordinate substantive and administrative contributions by the Section to the Inland Transport Committee (ITC). 5. Lead the section’s analytical activities with special attention to active and passive safety and environmental performance of vehicles, fuel quality standards and intelligent transport systems. In this regard ensure close cooperation with the secretary of the working party on transport economics and trends (WP.5) that acts as integrator for the division’s analytical activities. 6. As vehicle safety is an important part of road safety, ensure close cooperation between the UNECE Road Traffic Safety Forum (WP.1) and WP.29. 7. Ensure effective cooperation also with the rest of the division and in particular with the ITC Secretary and the divisional focal point on program-budgeting, the Regional Adviser. 8. Advise the Director of the Sustainable Transport Division on relevant policy, legal and technical aspects (e.g. e-mobility, Intelligent Transport Services etc.), including on cooperation with other international organizations. 9. Represent the Section and/or as requested the STD at international, regional and national meetings on transport matters dealt with by the Section or the Division. 10. Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge in the field of transport in general and specifically in the areas of safe and environmentally friendly vehicles, of technical, legal and administrative provisions of vehicle regulations and of Intelligent Transport Services. Ability to carry out and supervise analytical activities, and produce reports and papers on these issues; ability to review and edit the work of others; ability to organise inter-governmental meetings. 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. 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 the 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. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in mechanical engineering or related area is required. A first-level university degree in mechanical engineering or related area in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification
A degree in economics or law is desirable.

Work Experience
A minimum of 10 years of experience relevant for motor vehicle regulations is required. Experience in the fields of vehicle’s active and passive safety, emissions control, anti-theft provisions, technical inspection and other regulatory aspects is required. Demonstrated experience in management is required. Experience with multilateral treaties and their related administrative procedures is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English with excellent drafting abilities is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 28th February 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply:Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam,China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea,Grenada, Guinea-Bissau,Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements