Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Water Unit of the Transboundary Cooperation Section (TCS) of the Environment Division in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The broad aim of UNECE’s environment activities is to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda. The incumbent will support the activities under the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the P3, Legal Officer, and the overall guidance of the P4, Secretary to the Water Convention, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties in relation to the Water Convention: • Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work related to the unit’s capacity building initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval; • Performs data entry and extraction functions, compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on unit’s programmes/projects and related topics or issues; • Assists in processing and reviewing project documents, especially, cost plans/budgets and allotments, grants, procurements, and consultancy contracts, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures, liaising with UNECE Executive Office, prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval; • Assists in reviewing budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system; prepares financial reports to donors; • Assists in extracting, compiling, summarizing and entering data on project delivery; and in the verification of receipt and accuracy of requisite documents, identifying shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and brings to the attention of the supervisor; • Assists in drafting routine correspondence (e-mails, letters, memos) on programme implementation and budget-related issues and in preparing and updating periodic reports, responds to moderately complex information requests and inquiries, either directly or by channeling requests to the appropriate staff member; reviews and routes incoming correspondence; • Provides other general office assistance related to unit’s programme/project planning and implementation: e.g. sets up and maintains contact databases and distributions lists; maintains files and databases; • Assists in the web maintenance by creating and managing webpages (e.g. uploading documents, updating text and on-line meeting calendars and contact databases); contributes to the layout and formatting of the website under guidance of the web master; • Provides secretarial, administrative and logistics support to meetings outside and inside Geneva, including via videoconferences; • Undertakes necessary actions prior meetings, including circulating meeting invitations, registration material’s & accompanying documents, assists in preparing grants and financial authorizations; • Prepares and follows-up procedures for financial and visa support of participants for meetings, prepares and/or processes related administrative requests (travel requests, expenditure authorizations) and maintains comprehensive records on use of funds; prepares lists of participants; • 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. 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. 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. 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.

Education

Completion of secondary school or its equivalent commercial school.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least five (3) years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to one (1) year for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Umoja is required. Two (2) years of experience within United Nations System or in a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience with cost plans/budgets is desirable. Experience with travel requests is desirable. Experience with consultancy contracts is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and Russian is a working language of ECE. For the position advertised, 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

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. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

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.