Associate Programme Officer

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 81,417 USD and 110,585 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 objective of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification around the world, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.

The Science, Technology and Innovation unit (STI) serves the UNCCD Committee on Science and Technology (CST) and the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC). This unit supports scientific cooperation and organizes the periodic reporting and assessment of the status of implementation under the UNCCD. It facilitates the use of the latest scientific knowledge in policymaking concerning land degradation and drought, and coordinates cooperation with scientific platforms and institutions working on issues relevant to land degradation and drought. The unit also supports capacity building and spearheads the innovation agenda, with a view to increase the knowledge, technical skills and expertise of UNCCD stakeholders, while facilitating the exchange of practical experiences on the implementation of the Convention.

Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the STI Unit, in consultation with the CRIC Secretary, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks while support the national reporting processes:

• Assist in keeping reporting methodologies and reporting tools updated.
• Collaborate with involved staff members in the maintenance, further development and enhancement of the UNCCD reporting platform, the Performance Review and Assessment of the Implementation System (PRAIS); including but not limited to cleaning data and maintaining local copies of the data and database.
• Support in the drafting, editing, publication and dissemination of methodological documents for reporting.
• Participate in the exploration, identification, and acquisition of data sources to determine their suitability for use in national reporting.
• Supporting existing cooperation on data with the relevant external organizations.
• Participate in the coordinating service delivery to Parties, including capacity development and technical backstopping activities on reporting; in consultation with the unit Chief, the secretary of the CRIC and other relevant programme officers within the Secretariat and the GM.
• Assist in organizing and/or conducting desk and in-country technical reviews of national reports.
• Contribute to the analysis, publication and dissemination of data and information contained in national reports, through technical reports, outreach material, and dashboards.
• Assist in the drafting of preliminary analysis reports and other official documentation to the Committee for the Review of Implementation of the Convention.
• Provide assistance to the secretary of the CRIC during the meetings of the CRIC and its Bureau, including on the organization of work and the drafting of reports, and by supporting intergovernmental negotiations.
• Assist in enabling the UNCCD data-driven transformation by contributing to the development of the STI Unit’s offering of data as a service to internal and external clients and to service data requests in a timely manner as appropriate.

• Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the team, the Unit, the programme or the secretariat

  Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of monitoring and assessment principles and practice; familiarity with the reporting process of multilateral environmental agreements (Rio conventions). Experience in mainstreaming environmental issues into national and sub-regional development strategies; The ability to analyse, model and interpret reporting data in support of decision-making and convey information succinctly to management. Adept at queries, report writing and presenting findings. Shows pride in work and in achievements and understands the impact that can be brought into the organization by allowing data-driven and evidence-based decisions; 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.

Planning & 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.

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 decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environment, economics, agriculture or a sustainable development-related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in the areas of monitoring, analysis and reporting of environment and sustainable development data is required, as well as project and service management of information systems and tools.

Experience supporting cross-functional teams and collaborating with stakeholders in support of analytics initiatives is required.

Exposure of working in international organizations is desirable. Experience with database programming languages SQL, etc, and self-service applications for data discovery would be an asset.

Languages Fluency (both oral and written) in English is required, including good drafting skills. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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

Special Notice This position is available for an initial period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to the availability of funds.

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.

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.