Senior Programme Officer (Chief, Intergovernmental Affairs and Africa)

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 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 is located in the United Nations Global Compact Officer (UNGCO) in New York. The incumbent of this post will oversee intergovernmental affairs and relationships and coordinate organizational-wide implementation of the UN Global Compact Africa Strategy and provides strategic guidance to UNGCO on the development and implementation of the overall strategies of the United Nations Global Compact on Africa, vis-à-vis intergovernmental relations, and Member States of the Group of 77 & China. The incumbent will report to the Head of Entity of the Global Compact Office.

The United Nations Global Compact is the United Nations' voluntary corporate sustainability initiative in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. It revolves around ten universal principles drawn from four key international instruments in these areas. The Global Compact Office is the United Nations entity responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Global Compact initiative. It pursues two complementary objectives: (1) making the Global Compact and its principles part of business strategy and operations everywhere; and (2) facilitating cooperation among key stakeholders by promoting partnerships and collective action in support of United Nations, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Responsibilities Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Head of Entity, the Senior Programme Officer (Chief, Intergovernmental Affairs and Africa) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Takes the lead to develop, implement and evaluate the United Nations Global Compact Government Relations Strategy, with particular reference to Member States of the Group of 77 & China, as well as South-South Cooperation not limited to programmatic and financial partnerships, including providing advice on policies, politics and special interests of African organizations, African leadership on private sector development ; directs subordinates in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with other organizations of the United Nations System, as well as other international organizations, regional, governments and business organizations, concerning Africa; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.

• Monitors and provides feedback on the involvement and engagement of African countries and private sectors on Agenda 2030, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the UN’s Our Common Agenda (or global issues).

• Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.

• Directs high level advisory, research and programme evaluation on the UN Global Compact’s strategic priorities in Africa, coherence of policies, corporate sustainability and transformative partnerships trends in Africa and presents information gathered from diverse sources.

• Coordinates policy development, including proposing policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions as well as including providing leadership and guiding Global Compact Local Networks in organizing regional policy dialogues, policy advocacy, Voluntary National Reviews, coordinating Government outreach; reviews the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the UN Global Compact in Africa; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies, and plan of action.

• Manages outreach activities, including providing high-level advice and guidance to organizations that seek to engage with the UN Global Compact especially on topics such as private sector engagement in Africa, corporate sustainability, leveraging corporate responsibility to advance their mandates, and modalities of business engagement; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

• Leads high-level interactions including maintaining strategic relationships with relevant UN Agencies, UN Member States, African Union Commission, Regional Economic Commissions, other regional organizations, owners of capital, civil society organizations and regional business associations in Africa, field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.

• Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization; represents and supports the coordination of the Global Compact’s participation at regional and international conferences and high-level meetings on corporate sustainability and transformative partnerships in support of the advancement of the sustainability agenda in Africa and the UN Global Compact Africa strategy.

• Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; manages, guides, develops, trains, evaluates and mentors staff by fostering teamwork and communication among staff across organizational boundaries.

• Performs other related duties as required.

  Competencies - Professionalism: Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable development and corporate citizenship. Demonstrated an understanding of the United Nations System at large, its programmes and intergovernmental processes. Ability to develop and implement a clear strategic vision and business plan for the direction of the initiative; ability to lead and direct others in the execution of the work; ability to adapt and be innovative as new communications challenges arise; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in the work of the initiative Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• 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.

• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

• Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

  Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, project/programme administration or related areas related to the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact such as human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption initiatives, etc., is required.

  Experience collaborating between the public (international, intergovernmental) and private sector within the African region on matters related to the Agenda 2030 or other global issues is required.

  Experience working with public and private sectors on corporate citizenship and corporate sustainability is required.

  Experience leading/managing corporate sustainability and multi-stakeholder initiatives is desirable.

  Experience working with an African institution, or similar organization, is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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

  Special Notice Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

This is an extrabudgetary funded position. The appointment or assignment and renewal therefore are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

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.

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.