Senior Programme Management Assistant

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 3,174 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 This position will be temporarily vacant for a period of 364 days, with possibility of extension. This position is located in the Agricultural Development and Climate Change Unit of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Mexico. The Senior Programme Management Assistant reports to the Chief of Agricultural Development and Climate Change Unit.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the five regional Commissions of the United Nations. It was founded in 1948 with the purpose of contributing to the region's economic and social development. Its mission includes the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies and the provision of advisory services, expertise and training to Governments, as well as support for regional and international cooperation and coordination activities. Please visit our website at www.eclac.org for further information.

Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of Chief of Agricultural Development and Climate Change Unit, in the framework of the project "Strengthening capacities for incorporating disaster risk reduction and sustainable and inclusive climate change adaptation in public investment in COSEFIN/SICA member States" the Senior Programme Management Assistant may be responsible for the following duties:

•Independently provides full range of project management and implementation assistance at all phases of the project cycle for, a large and highly complex project, seeking guidance only in exceptional circumstances and providing inputs to improve these processes. •Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information on the project, and related topics highlighting noteworthy issues and trends for consideration by appropriate parties. •Tracks resolutions and other legislative decisions that affect project content and oversees the preparation of the relevant database(s) to ensure the incorporation of programmatic and other changes enacted by legislation. •Reviews, appraises and revises, as necessary, all submissions for the project, ensuring compliance with guidelines, project objectives and requirements from funding and implementing partners; identifies problems issues, seek clarification, assess replies, and prepares a summary for the supervisor with suggestions for further action. •Works with funding agencies in arranging financing modalities; obtains requisite clearances; ensures establishment of proper monitoring systems through scheduled reporting, review meetings and missions. •Supports drafting of budgets and forecast based on submissions; prepares monitoring checklists, identifying stages of project development, funding source, inputs by reviewing internal and external bodies, and follow-up actions required. Monitors budgetary commitments, including verification of charges and obligation documents in Umoja for all financial transactions; prepares periodic budget revisions and ensures appropriate resource allocations; reconciles accounts with amended budget; evaluates trends of financial implementation and makes necessary recommendations to line manager. •Oversees newsletters and communication products on project-related activities; drafts inputs for a wide range of documents and reports, briefings, correspondence, etc. •Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of implementation activities and participates in project planning and evaluation; monitors implementation at all stages to ensure work is proceeding according to established plans, including analysing implementation difficulties and initiating remedial action, and coordinating the preparation of project planning and reporting documentation; liaises with diverse organizational units to initiate requests; prepares standard and specific terms of reference against project objectives, obtains necessary clearances, processes and follows-up on administrative actions and resolves issues related to project implementation, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, organization of and participation training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc. •Arranges for formal closures of project, budget revisions, transfer of equipment, clearance, publication and distribution of final report. •Provides and/or supervises secretariat services to committees, ad hoc tasks forces, etc.; drafts and circulates agenda notes to members/participants; assembles background documentation; drafts minutes of the meetings; monitors follow-up actions, etc. •May undertake mission/field works in support of above activities, e.g. specific administrative, operational/control tasks for project activities. •Supervises the establishment of internal databases and filing systems; and manages data and information relevant to the scope of project activities. •Supervises office support staff, including distribution and review of work assignments, training, and inputs to performance evaluation. •Performs 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. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to identify, independently assess, formulate recommendations and/or resolve a wide range of issues/problems, undertake research and gather information from standard sources and to work well with figures including ability to analyze and understand financial data. Ability to design information data bases from multiple sources into an integrated programme evaluation system. Ability to direct, supervise and train office support staff. Demonstrated ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given and discretion, resourcefulness and ability to deal proactively and tactfully with offices throughout the organization. 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. 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. •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. •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. University degree in relevant fields for this position is desirable.

NOTE: For positions in the General Service category, candidates are required to clearly indicate in their PHPs relevant information confirming completion of High School.

Work Experience Ten years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required Experience in project management with or in the UN is desirable. Experience in the thematic areas of the project is also desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, advanced knowledge of Spanish and intermediate knowledge of English are required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

NOTE: ''Advanced level'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and ''Intermediate level'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas.

Assessment Applicants will be assessed based on the information provided in their PHPs. Short-listed applicants might be contact by the Hiring Manager for further assessment.

Special Notice This position will be temporarily vacant for a period of 364 days, with possibility of extension.

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.

This post is funded with extrabudgetary resources; thus, extension of appointment will be subject to 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.

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.