Programme Officer, Geneva

Closing date: Sunday, 5 April 2015

Posting Title: PROGRAMME OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title: PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Department/ Office: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Duty Station: GENEVA

Posting Period: 4 February 2015-5 April 2015

Job Opening number: 15-PGM-UNCTAD-39634-R-GENEVA (R)

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

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD and in coordination with the Chief, Resources Management Service, the Programme Officer will act as UNCTAD's focal point on results-based management related matters.

Particularly, the incumbent

Provides advisory services to the senior officials on results-based management related matters, manages the work and serves as the Secretary of UNCTAD's Results-based Management Coordination Group (RBM-CG) by focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions;
• Provides guidance and assistance to programme managers in using results-based management (RBM) methodologies, in particular provides input into the definition of results frameworks and in the preparation of workplans.

Co-ordinates all actions required for the effective implementation of results-based management methodologies by focusing on achievement of the following results

• Identifies innovative approaches and best practices for implementation of results-based management in UNCTAD;
• Coordinates issues related to the RBM approach of UNCTAD, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, proposes actions and other related activities and studies;
• Manages, conducts and supports various assignments for the enhancement of the RBM approach of UNCTAD, in collaboration with the corresponding organizational unit and assists them in developing related action plans;
• Conducts research and provides analytical work to better present information gathered from diverse sources for use in RBM-related decision making and coordination of related activities;
• Develops analytical tools and processes to contribute to the diagnosis and monitoring of RBM-related decision-making;
• Generates survey initiatives, reviews the data, identifies bottlenecks in the achievement of agreed targets, recommends resolution and prepares conclusions;
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, in relation to the RBM approach of UNCTAD;
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other UNCTAD meetings and conferences dealing with programming, planning and other issues relevant to the RBM approach of UNCTAD, prepares agenda topics, documents and presentations, identifies participants;
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars on RBM and coordination issues, with a view on developing the capacities of UNCTAD staff in this area;
• Leads and/or participates in missions and visits, including provision of guidance to various stakeholders, government officials and other parties, while participating and contributing to RBM and planning related inter-agency initiatives;
• Performs other duties as required.

Contributes to the efforts for organizational effectiveness by focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provides support in implementation of initiatives related to internal coordination;
• Coordinates initiatives to strengthen the cohesion and synergies between Programme Divisions and Resources Management Service, as well as between UNCTAD and other Departments of the United Nations.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM

• Knowledge of Results-based Management theories, concepts and approaches.
• 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.

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.

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.

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

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field.
• A first-level university degree in the preceding areas of study in combination with at least 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in programme/project management and administration of which at least three years experience in the coordination/preparation of programmes of work in international organizations, including in the application of RBM principles, is required.
• Experience with UN intergovernmental bodies is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment Method

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

United Nations Considerations

Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.

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.