Programme Assistant

UNESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

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Application deadline in 26 days: Thursday 8 Aug 2024 at 03:59 UTC

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Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. The Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) is a Regional Institute of ESCAP. It promotes an enabling environment for development, diffusion and transfer of technologies in the 53 member States and 9 associate members of ESCAP with a focus on innovative and emerging technologies for addressing climate change and achieving the SDGs. APCTT promotes the exchange of knowledge through its capacity building activities such as international conferences, workshops, training programmes and study tours, among others, for the policymakers and other related stakeholders. It provides information related to technology and innovation policies and recent trends on technologies through its publications including its flagship periodical Tech Monitor. APCTT facilitates establishment of international networks on specific technologies and deepens cooperation with technology transfer institutions. It collects information from networks’ members for technologies for sustainable development. This position is located in APCTT. The incumbent reports to the Programme Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, and overall supervision of the Head, APCTT, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions: • Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and facilitation of various activities for technology Intelligence and capacity building programme of work, including content development, processing, editing, formatting, and publishing of online periodicals titled Asia-Pacific Tech Monitor. • Assists in the facilitation of editorial consultation process, with partner institutions/co­ publishers, authors, experts and vendors, in identifying special themes for Tech Monitor issues; provides support in the technology information dissemination and services to member country stakeholders. • Provides support in the coordination of planning and implementation of capacity building activities; liaises with partner agencies, experts and resourcepersons to facilitate project implementation inclduing documentation and feedabck . • Assists in facilitating the establishment of regional technology cooperation networks, and supports coordination wtth relevant stakeholders in the implementation of project and technical cooperation activities. • Assists in initiating and facilitating procurement services, including preparing Terms of Reference (TORs), coordinating with vendors, relevant divisions and sections of ESCAP to ensure timely delivery of services and products. • Maintains and updates the Centre's website for the periodicals/publications, capacity building events and databases as well as subscribers' databases. • Assists in drafting project proposals and relevant documents at appropriate stages of the project cycle as per ESCAP's programme guidelines and requirements; liaises with concerned Divisions of ESCAP to facilitate implementation of project activities. • Provides technical inputs, and assists in performing tasks pertaining to normative and analytical work including development of articles, papers, reports and write-ups on relevant substantive areas and issues. • Participates and provides technical inputs in meetings, consultations and regional dialogues; and performs follow-up actions as necessary. • Performs other programme and project related tasks as requested. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages, newsletters or brochures.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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

High school diploma or equivalent is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted in lieu of two years of required experience.

Job - Specific Qualification

A first-level university degree in management, sustainable development, environment/climate change, technology or technology policy, international development is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years (or five years if graduated with a first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in programme administration, project administration or implementation of technical cooperation project focused on technologies and/or technology cooperation is required. Experience on intergovernmental processes is desirable. Experience in organizing workshops, training programmes or conferences is desirable. Experience in coordinating publications such as periodicals and technical reports is desirable. Experience working on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP/Umoja, are desirable. Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations similar to UN Common System is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Applicants for GS and related positions may apply and be considered for locally recruited positions no matter where they are currently located (including the current serving staff members at other duty stations), provided they are locally available upon appointment. They must be authorized to work in the country regardless of where they live at the time of applying for the job opening. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. This post is funded from extra budgetary resources. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

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.

Added 10 hours ago - Updated 1 hour ago - Source: careers.un.org