Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the secretariat of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB), the highest inter-agency body for coordination in the UN system. The CEB secretariat supports the work of the CEB and its High-level Committees on Programmes (HLCP) and on Management (HLCM). The secretariat is co-located in New York and Geneva and is headed by a Director, who reports to the Secretary-General, who is the Chair of CEB. The Programme Management Officer reports to the Director and to the Secretary of HLCP and is based in New York. Further information is available at http://www.unsceb.org.
Responsibilities
Under the overall direction and supervision of the Director and the Secretary of HLCP, the Programme Management Officer performs the following duties: • Carries out substantive studies and research and develops recommendations on issues of system-wide importance related to the agendas of HLCP and CEB; • Monitors the implementation of inter-agency decisions taken by coordination mechanisms on programme issues and raises discussion points with HLCP Secretary with a view to enabling HLCP to provide, where necessary, policy guidance to the mechanism concerned and/or to develop an agenda item related to policy coherence at the level of HLCP; • Contributes to the preparation of HLCP and CEB reports to intergovernmental bodies, including the Annual Overview Reports, as well as UN system-wide reports on issues of interest to the system; • Liaises with other inter-agency secretariats on joint efforts among the CEB pillars, such as the preparation of joint meetings and/or reports. • Participates in the preparation of relevant documentation for CEB and its high-level committees and drafts sections of the reports of their sessions; • Prepares plans and timetables for the implementation and follow-up of decisions and conclusions of HLCP; • Assists in the development of system-wide policy positions on programme and management issues for consideration by the high-level committees, as may be required; • Provides substantive and research support to information and knowledge-sharing among CEB member organizations; • Contributes to the preparation of relevant documentation for intergovernmental meetings and relevant bodies and supports the participation of CEB Secretariat at various intergovernmental and governing bodies, including sessions of the Fifth Committee and the Committee for Programme and Coordination; • Produces and oversees the content and regular updates for the CEB website on programme issues; • Undertakes other duties as may be required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the functioning of organizations of the UN system, CEB and its high-level committees; knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to addressing global challenges and emerging trends affecting the work of the UN; strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; Knowledge of the use of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases; applies good judgment in the context of assignments given; plans own work and manages 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, international relations, political science, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, project or programme management, research and analysis or related area, of which at least two (2) years are at the international level, is required. Experience in the analysis, development and coordination of sustainable development policy is required. Experience in inter-agency coordination, including facilitating inter-agency consultations and consensus-building is required. Experience in drafting UN reports and/or official meeting documentation is required. Experience in research and analysis of emerging and frontier issues affecting the United Nations is desirable. Experience in providing policy advice to senior officials / managers is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
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. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 Nov 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.
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.