Programme Management Assistant

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UN DESA - Department of Economic and Social Affairs

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Wednesday 30 Jun 2021 at 23:59 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 This position is located in the National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch (NSCBB) of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in New York. The Programme Management Assistant reports to the Chief of the National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch. The Division for Sustainable Development Goals acts as the Secretariat for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within UN-DESA, focusing on providing substantive support and capacity building to the 17 SDGs and their related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, ocean, urbanization, transport, integration across the goals and with other global/regional frameworks, science and technology, the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), partnerships and Small Islands Developing States (SIDS). The Division contributes to the intergovernmental processes on the 2030 Agenda, including those under the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum, with its substantive analytical work on thematic issues of the Sustainable Development Goals. It coordinates substantive inputs for the deliberations on the review and implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The sub-programme serves as the departmental anchor on the 2030 Agenda. It organizes focal teams on the Sustainable Development Goals and their interactions, including UN-Energy, UN-Ocean and UN-Water. It also plays a key role on the evaluation of system-wide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and on advocacy and outreach activities relating to Sustainable Development Goals.

Responsibilities Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief of the National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals and within the limits of the delegated authority, the Programme Management Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Assist in project planning and preparation; follow-up on status of project proposals; take necessary action to ensure project documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval and signature.

2. Assist in the preparation and analysis of project budget proposals; provide assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines; review and coordinate submissions of project proposals and budget estimates, ensuring that requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; propose adjustments as necessary; ensure that outputs are properly categorized.

3. Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of projects; categorize, update, track and analyze information related to project activities, e. g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, revisions, etc.; carry out periodic status reviews, identifying issues and initiating requisite follow-up actions; prepare revised budget estimates in consultation with finance and substantive officers; report on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verify availability of funds; ensure necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system; initiate financial authorizations for expenditures.

4. Liaise with diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to the implementation of project activities, e.g. recruitment and appointment of project personnel, travel arrangements, organization of expert group meetings, workshops and other training seminars/study tours; authorization of payments, disbursement of funds; procurement of equipment and services and subcontracts, etc.

5. Prepare, maintain and update files (electronic and paper) and internal databases.

6. Draft correspondence and communications related to all aspects of project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as prepare unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports.

7. Perform other duties as assigned.

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; Knowledge and understanding of the functions and organization of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals and its two project offices – UNOSD and UNCRD, knowledge of the organisational structure and respective roles of related units in the Department and in the UN Secretariat; 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 judgement 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; Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

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.

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 High School diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required. Experience in other technical cooperation activities, including organization of international workshops, meetings and training seminars/study tours are required. Experience in the use of UMOJA functions or any other similar enterprise resource system in processing travel requests, consultancies and individual contractor agreement and low value purchase orders is required. Experience in the use of other Umoja modules, such as the Strategic Management Application, the Integrated Project Monitoring and Reporting Module and the Grantor Module 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. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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

Special Notice This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; or the United Nations Accounting or Statistical Assistant Examination at the United Nations Headquarters may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

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.

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: careers.un.org