Org. Setting and Reporting
UN-Habitat is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The New York Office represents UN-Habitat in North America. It works with Member States and the UN system, the Governments of the United States and Canada, as well as select cities and other constituencies of the New Urban Agenda to promote adequate housing and sustainable urban development. The office facilitates cooperation between the Office of the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, and New York-based UN entities to advance the UN systemwide strategy for sustainable urban development. It represents UN-Habitat at inter-agency platforms and in intergovernmental processes including high-level meetings of the General Assembly and sessions convened by Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The position is located in Montreal, Canada, at the UN-Habitat Montreal Office for Green, Resilient and Sustainable Cities. The Montreal Office fosters linkages among research, policy, and action to advance sustainable urban development globally. The office will activate a network of key partners to accelerate the quality and scale of urban sustainability solutions to implement the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, with a focus on climate and biodiversity solutions to enhance urban resilience and protect vulnerable groups. It will promote the development and synthesis of science, data, innovation, and solutions on urban sustainability to improve the urban environment. In addition, the Montreal Office will establish close working relations with Canadian and North American local governments. The focus of this position is to supports the office’s effective establishment and administrative management of its operations, programmes and projects. Based in Montreal, Canada, the Programme Management Assistant reports to the Lead, Montreal Office, under the overall guidance of the Director of the UN-Habitat New York Office and will be responsible for the following duties:
Responsibilities
• Liaise with local host organizations to ensure effective office hosting arrangements including where necessary, office provisions, procurement processes, security, • Support the Head of Unit by providing necessary documents, assistance in navigating shared drives and communication platforms and internal operating procedures, such as processing of letters and notifications. • Act as a critical interface between unit colleagues by keeping colleagues abreast of cross-cutting issues. • Assist in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation; monitor status of programme/project proposals; take necessary action to ensure project documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval. • Assist in the preparation and analysis of programme/project budget proposals; provide assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines; review and coordinate submissions of programme proposals and budget estimates, ensuring that requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; propose adjustments as necessary; prepare reports and ensure that outputs/services are properly categorized. • Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of programmes/projects; categorizes, updates, track and analyse data related to programmes/projects, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions; carry out periodic status reviews, identify issues and initiate requisite follow-up actions; prepare revised budget estimates; report on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verify availability of funds; ensure necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system; initiate financial authorizations for expenditures. • Collaborate with programme/project managers on performance reporting; provide assistance on reporting requirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensure completeness and accuracy of data submitted. • Serve as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational units to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to project implementation, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, organization of and participation in training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services. • Prepares, maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews. • Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme/project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports. • Provide guidance and training to new/junior staff. • Compile information for travel plans, including flight and DSA estimates. • Perform a variety of administrative duties (e.g. meeting organization, reservations, procurement requests for catering and other services), including preparing and/or processing administrative requests/documents (e.g., travel requests, expense reports, vouchers, visa applications, organization of daily subsistence allowance (DSA) distribution to eligible participants requests for the Manager and other staff) using Umoja. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • May perform other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. 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. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. 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
Completion of High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job – Specific Qualification
Supplementary training and certification in administration, project management, finance, budget, accounting or other relevant field is desirable
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in administrative services, human resources, finance or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first level university degree or higher. Experience in coordinating and monitoring of programmes / projects activities is desirable. Experience in the United Nations System or other comparable international organization is desirable Experience in using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system e.g., Umoja is desirable Experience organizing and servicing the holding of meetings is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable
Languages
English and French are the official languages of the Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: ”Fluency” equals a rating of ”fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ”Knowledge of” equals a rating of ”confident” in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This is a project post. Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. Pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules, appointment against this post is on a local basis. External candidates will be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from the duty station is identified. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to take-up the appointment. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.
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.