Associate Programme Management Officer

Overview

Support clean energy finance-related projects and manage administrative tasks

You have:

• An advanced degree (Masters) in economics, finance, law, political science, business administration or engineering science is required.
• A first level university degree combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in the energy and/or energy finance field is required.
• Experience in project management in developing countries is desirable.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,355 USD and 122,724 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of UNEP's Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in governments, local authorities and industries to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. This post is in UNEP's Economy Division, Energy and Climate Branch, Finance Unit, Paris duty station.

Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Head of Finance Unit, the incumbent will contribute to the implementation and the development of clean energy finance-related projects of the Finance Unit. The incumbent will perform his/her duties under the direct supervision of senior project managers of the Unit to whom he/she will receive instructions and guidance. He/she will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Support the senior project managers in the implementation of the existing projects of the Finance Unit, with a focus on clean energy finance and the private sector. More specifically he/she will:

• Support the senior project managers in their work with partners to develop, implement and evaluate projects of the Unit, among them the “Seed Capital Assistance Facility Project” (SCAF) and “Clean Captive Installations for Industrial Clients in Sub Sahara Africa”; monitor and analyze specific aspects of project development or implementation; review relevant documents and reports; help identify potential issues to be addressed and suggest corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; monitor follow-up actions;
• Provide substantive support and guidance in terms of clean energy finance and investments, renewable energy business models and energy policies;
• Contribute to the preparation of various written project outputs, e.g. projects' brochures, results or lessons learnt publications as well as draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of studies or inputs to publications;
• Support the preparation and organization of workshops and seminars planned for the projects implementation, as well as other Unit outreach activities undertaken to present the Unit projects' objectives and results and raise awareness on clean energy investment;
• Participate in field missions to provide substantive and administrative support, data collection, market assessments, if sanitary conditions will permit.

2. Support the senior project managers in the administrative project management of the existing Unit projects with regards to donors and implementing and other partners, as well as with regards to UNEP internal project administration requirements. More specifically he/she will:

• Prepare activity plans and identify the specific tasks and responsibilities of partners and consultants; draft terms of reference for projects' consultants and contractors; draft and support the negotiation of the legal agreements with projects' implementing partners; prepare the documentation for the procurement of services as per UN rules;
• Help coordinate, monitor and review the quality, timeliness and relevance of project outputs and other deliverables prepared by partner agencies, projects' implementing partners and consultants; suggest recommendations where necessary to ensure a timely and efficient implementation of projects' activities;
• Provide administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., by proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc.;
• Coordinate activities related to projects monitoring, reporting and evaluation, of narrative and financial nature, for external and internal use, such as project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc. and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, submission and revision of projects documents for UNEP Project Review Committee, reporting for UNEP Project Information System and support to projects evaluations).

3. Support the resource mobilization efforts of the Finance Unit. More specifically he/she will:

• Support the development of new project concepts and related fundraising and write proposals in collaboration with potential partners to bilateral and multilateral donors; Support resource mobilization for expanding the existing and future projects of the Finance Unit;
• Explore new approaches and sectors for further development of programmes including but not limited to innovative financial instruments, renewable energy industrial applications, energy efficiency finance, subsidies, renewable energy product recycling, life cycle finance, civil society integration;

• Perform other duties as required.

  Competencies - Professionalism: 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise, is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• 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.

  Education An advanced degree (Masters) in economics, finance, law, political science, business administration or engineering science is required. A first level university degree combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in the energy and/or energy finance field is required. Project management experience in developing countries, preferably at the international level is desirable. Experience working in a culturally diverse environment and in fostering cooperation and encouraging partners to undertake new initiatives or implementing joint activities is desirable. Experience in management of energy technology projects, deploying capacity building initiatives, design and facilitation of meetings/workshops is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone or teleconference.

Special Notice Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/ Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Potential interview questions