PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Overview

Support innovation for sustainable development and systems change.

You have:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, management, political science, or a related field is required.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in innovation, change management or partnerships-related functions is required.
• Experience in managing multiple innovation-related networks in the UN context is required.
• Experience developing and running in-person and virtual innovation-related learning programmes is required.
• Fluency in English and French is required; knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 142,356 USD and 186,404 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 SDG Lab is a multi-stakeholder social innovation space for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and long-term sustainability. Anchored at the United Nations Office in Geneva, the SDG Lab has long-standing experience in championing out-of-the box thinking and solutions to systemic challenges for sustainable development. It does so by leveraging a multi-stakeholder and collective intelligence approach, systems and futures thinking as well as social design to drive change. With a strategic focus on areas such as intergenerational impact, regenerative development, and affective sciences (‘systemic and new lenses to sustainability’), the Lab works to create the space for thinking, action, and circular impact for long-term sustainability and systems-change. The United Nations Innovation Network (UNIN) is an informal, collaborative community of UN innovators working to advance innovation in the UN system. Chaired by WFP, UNICEF and UNDP, UNIN has interagency collaboration in its DNA and is a trusted convenor bringing colleagues together to co-create, learn and drive innovation in the UN system and beyond. UNIN’s interagency Culture of Innovation Group cultivates innovation and collaboration mindsets in the UN system, including through a UN-wide Innovation Fellowship as part of which UN colleagues can explore and experiment with new ways of thinking and working. Leveraging a joint presence in Geneva and a shared interest in fostering cultures and mindsets that enable innovation for long-term sustainability and systems change, this role is to be located in the SDG Lab. The future incumbent will report to the Chief of the SDG Lab.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Programme Management Officer will be responsible for the following functions: Supports the SDG Lab and UNIN Communities as drivers of innovation for long-term sustainability and systems change: • Facilitates the creation and nurturing of networks that act as innovation catalysts. • Compiles and share insights across innovation-focused networks for mutual learning, building on insights from the SDG Lab’s ecosystem methodology. • Undertakes research on transition design and other emerging concepts and identify opportunities to integrate such approaches in the work of SDG Lab and UNIN. • Provides strategic support to projects and initiatives that drive innovative practices. • Develops and promotes participatory engagement tools to help co-create solutions. Convenes and strengthens the UN Culture of Innovation Group: • Enhances the Innovation Group's strategic vision using systems and futures thinking for transformative innovation. • Designs and delivers engaging offerings to create an active and connected community of innovators in Geneva and globally. • Drafts and publish stories, good practices and tips around innovation culture to provide inspiration to colleagues and fosters connection in the community. • Fosters partnerships and collaborative initiatives to advance the innovation agenda. Develops and grows the UN Innovation Fellowship and support the establishment of the SDG Lab Residency as flagship programmes: • Oversees the Innovation Fellowship's strategic design and implementation. • Cultivates a dynamic community of current and former Fellows for ongoing engagement. • Supports Fellows to practice innovation and to experiment with new ways of thinking and working in support of systems change, applying both the UN 2.0 lenses and the SDG Lab’s lenses to sustainability. • Informs the development of the SDG Lab's pilot Residency Programme, integrating learnings from the Innovation Fellowship to guide and shapes the pilot and, where possible, explore opportunities for collaboration. • Develops a sustainable operating model to grow the Fellowship. Activates the Geneva innovation ecosystem to create a thriving UN innovation community: • Enhances the engagement of Geneva-based innovators within the UN and beyond. • Organizes and co-host impactful events to showcase innovative solutions and, where possible, link events to the SDG Lab’s thematic focuses areas. • Strengthens network collaborations to amplify the reach and impact of innovative projects.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches, including facilitation methods, relevant to public sector innovation, community building, and change and learning programmes for innovation and sustainability. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods to measure impact and adapt offerings based on user feedback and input. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in international relations, management (change, network or innovation), political science, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience working with the UN system in innovation, change management, or partnerships-related functions is required. Experience in managing multiple innovation-related networks in the UN context and in using community-based approaches to innovation is required. Experience developing and running in-person and virtual innovation-related learning programmes, including experience in using participatory facilitation methods, such as Liberating Structures, for varied group sizes both virtually and in person, is required. Experience working within an innovation ecosystem across the UN system and in identifying common challenges of implementing innovation and change management practices in the UN is required. Experience creating and managing internal or external outreach and communications projects is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French 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 a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position may be filled on a part-time basis. This position is temporarily available as soon as possible for a period of 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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.

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.

Potential interview questions