Associate Programme Management Officer, Tarawa, Kiribati

Closing date: Sunday, 1 March 2015

Posting Title: Associate Programme Management Officer, NOB

Job Code Title: Associate Programme Management Officer

Department/ Office

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Duty Station

TARAWA

Posting Period

30 January 2015-1 March 2015

Job Opening number

15-PGM-ESCAP-40278-R-TARAWA (N)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

Candidates must be nationals of Kiribati. Appointment against this post is on a local basis; candidates shall be Kiribati nationals and will be recruited in the country. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Kiribati nationals residing abroad may be considered. The candidate is responsible for any costs related to travelling and relocating to Kiribati in the event of an employment offer. Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at the G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. Should a current General Service staff member be selected for this post, he/she would need to resign from his/her General Service appointment.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. The ESCAP Pacific Office (EPO) based in Suva, Fiji covers Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, as well as American Samoa, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Niue and the Northern Mariana Islands.

EPO is taking the lead in implementing a project 'Enhancing the Capacity of Pacific Island Countries to address the impacts of climate change on migration' in Kiribati. National implementation of the Project in Kiribati will be jointly managed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP); the International Labour Organization (ILO); the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Kiribati. This joint ESCAP, ILO and UNDP project funded by the European Commission has the overall objective of developing the capacity to address the impacts of climate change on migration through well-managed, rights-based migration schemes and policy frameworks, supported by comprehensive research and knowledge building.

National Project implementation in Kiribati has four objectives:

1. To improve data and analysis on labour migration;
2. To gain an understanding of the attitudes of communities and individuals on migration (including climate change induced migration and in-country migration more generally);
3. To develop and begin implementation of evidenced-based national strategies on climate change induced migration and relocation; and
4. To enhance national capacity to effectively participate in regional, bilateral and global schemes on migration.

This position will be located in Tarawa, Kiribati within the Strategic Risk Management Unit of the Office of the President (Te Beretitenti). The position will be under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer for the project (located in Suva, Fiji) and under the guidance of the Kiribati Office of the President (Te Beretitenti).

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions: Contributes to the Project implementation at the national level:

1. Contributes to the development of partnerships with the government institutions, UN agencies, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of the project in Kiribati.
2. Communicates regularly with the national Project Advisory Committee (PAC) and ensures that views of the PAC are integrated into the Project work plan.
3. Disseminates information about the project to national stakeholders through local media; contributes to the preparation of various written outputs.
4. Contributes in improving the synergies between this Project and other activities in Kiribati related to climate change; undertakes necessary outreach activities.

Provides logistical and administrative support for the Project at the national level:

1. Organizes visits of project staff and consultants.
2. Coordinates the organization of meetings and workshops, assists the local government in organizing consultation workshops with a broad cross-section of stakeholders in order to identify the existing and required capacities to manage migration.
3. Coordinates activities related to procurement of the supplies and services needed to implement the project at the national level.

Contributes to the improvement of data and research related climate change migration:

1. Carries out basic research and analysis of information gathered from diverse sources, specifically, data and information on climate change and migration.
2. Supports the collection and analysis of survey data in Kiribati and selected outer islands.

Supports national policy development and policy implementation:

1. Prepares draft summary documents such as background papers, consultation documents, etc. and provides input to relevant meetings, conferences, etc., to better support the consulting process to the Government to develop policies or action plans on the management of migration.
2. Assists in the implementation of activities identified in the action plans, including activities related to budget funding (including the monitoring of budget/expenditure of seed funding under the Project) and preparation of related documents/reports.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change and migration. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.

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 & 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

A first level university degree in economics, business administration, science, management, law or related field.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of experience in project/programme management, administration or related field. Work experience in an international, government or non-governmental organisation is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written Gilbertese and English is required.

Assessment Method

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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.