The Director-General is responsible for all activities of the United Nations Office at Vienna, undertaking special political assignments and representation as requested by the Secretary-General. The Director-General represents the Secretary-General in relations with Permanent Missions and observer offices based in Vienna and deals with the Austrian authorities in matters relating to the relevant privileges and immunities of staff of the United Nations system in Austria. Due to the close cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Director-General also serves as the Executive Director of UNODC.
The main functions of the Office of the Director-General of UNOV / Executive Director of UNODC are to:
- Coordinate the schedule of the Director-General of UNOV / Executive Director of UNODC and to provide him or her with quality background materials and speaking notes for meetings and missions
- Act as secretariat for Executive Committee meetings and other senior staff meetings, and ensure the timely implementation of decisions
- Ensure the timely preparation of correspondence to be signed by the Director-General / Executive Director
- Respond to requests from the Executive Office of the Secretary-General for briefing materials, draft statements on substantive issues related to the mandates of UNODC and UNOV, and assist in planning visits by the Secretary-General to Vienna
- Monitor the implementation of the host country agreement and ensure that the interests of the United Nations are defended
- Prepare and review memorandums of understanding and other legal agreements to be concluded with Member States and other organizations
- Provide advice on legal issues to entities of the United Nations Secretariat and to United Nations bodies that meet in Vienna
- Facilitate the accreditation of staff of the permanent missions to the United Nations (Vienna) and of representatives of non-governmental organizations
- Provide protocol services for ceremonies, special events and visits by high-level dignitaries
