Programme Management Assistant

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 United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The Programme Management Assistant will report to the Civil Affairs Officer in Sector 1 and the Chief of Civil Affairs Section.

Please note that this position is not based in Nicosia and will require duty outside office hours including weekends, and frequent travel to a variety of locations

Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Civil Affairs Officer - Sector 1 and the Chief of Section, Civil Affairs, the Programme Management Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: •Completes joint UNFICYP project assessments, tracks progress and maintains all project files in line with Civil Affairs' policies and procedures. •Monitors progress on client requests to ensure requests and concerns are addressed in a timely manner. Identifies issues and suggests requisite follow-up actions. •Establishes and maintains contacts with community representatives in villages in the vicinity of the buffer zone and facilitates liaison with the local community representatives and clients as requested by the Civil Affairs Officer - Sector 1. •Arranges, facilitates and supports the Civil Affairs Section for site visits, community meetings, and events or gatherings and provides necessary background information. •Translates written and verbal communication Greek and English languages (Turkish language is an advantage). •Prepares, maintains and updates files and internal databases and prepares unit contributions for a variety of reports, statistical tables, background materials/notes. •Contributes to the work of the Sector 1 team, coordinates with team members, including uniformed personnel, to achieve consistency and synergy. •Supports the planning and conduct of confidence and trust-building events. •Assists the Section's humanitarian responsibilities as required •Performs other related work as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: •UN Police and Military components, Community representatives and civilians associated with the daily duties.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of the political, social and economic environment in Cyprus and their impact on the mission mandate implementation. Demonstrates ability to work with patience in a complex and politically sensitive arena while maintaining impartiality and confidentiality. Ability to conduct political and socio-economic analysis and to identify and resolve sensitive issues. Proven ability to promote and sustain dialogue between groups and individuals with differing views. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Ability to contribute to strategic planning processes and effective problem- solving skills. Initiative and ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given.

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.

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.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience At least 7 years of relevant experience in the field of community liaison, community development, program management, public administration or related area is required. Experience of liaison and relationship building in the Cyprus context is required. Experience working at the rural level is desirable. Experience of dealing with local authorities is highly desirable

Languages Fluency in English and Greek language is required. Knowledge of Turkish language is desirable.

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

Special Notice Applicants to positions in the General Service category must meet the relevant employment requirements of the host country (Cyprus), including fulfilling visa or work permit stipulations.

The United Nations Secretarial Committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance on its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position

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.