Senior Programme Management Assistant

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Senior Programme Management Assistant position is located in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Naqoura. The incumbent reports to the Chief Mine Action Programme and provides support to the Mission’s mine action programme planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and representation. This position incumbent provides substantive input into the development of the programme strategy, workplans, and budget; prepares the draft UNIFIL results-based budget submissions; tracks progress against outputs and prepares performance reports; prepares input to the Secretary-General’s reports and other written outputs; ensures liaison with relevant Mission components and UNMAS headquarters on programme planning and implementation, and supports the UNIFIL Chief Mine Action Programme in liaison with national authorities.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Programme Management Assistant is responsible for the following duties: • Independently provide a full range of programme/project management and implementation assistance at all phases of the programme/project cycle , seeking guidance only in exceptional circumstances. • Research, compile, analyse, summarize, and present basic information/data on a wide range of programmes/projects and related topics, highlighting noteworthy issues/trends for consideration by appropriate parties. • Track resolutions and other legislative decisions that affect programme/project content and oversee the preparation of the relevant database(s) to ensure the incorporation of programmatic and other changes enacted by legislation. • Contribute to the development and implementation of programmes/projects; review, appraise and revise, as necessary, all submissions for substantive programmes/projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines and programme/project objectives; identify problems/issues, seek clarification, assess replies, prepare a summary for the manager with suggestions for further action, and implement and track follow-up actions. • Work with funding agencies in arranging financing modalities; obtain requisite clearances; ensure establishment of proper monitoring systems through scheduled reporting, review meetings and missions. • Draft budget and forecast based on submissions; prepare monitoring checklists, identifying stages of programme/project development, funding source, inputs by reviewing internal and external bodies, and follow-up actions required. • Monitor budgetary commitments, including verification of charges and obligation documents for all financial transactions; prepare periodic budget revisions and ensure appropriate resource allocations; reconcile accounts with amended budget; evaluate trends of financial implementation and make necessary recommendations to line manager. • Prepare newsletters on programme/project-related activities; draft inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence, etc. • Serve as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of implementation activities and participate in programme/project evaluation; monitor implementation at all stages to ensure work is proceeding according to established plans, including analysing implementation difficulties and initiating remedial action; liaise with 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, etc. • Arrange for formal closures of projects, final budget revision, transfer of equipment, clearance, publication and distribution of final report. • Provide secretariat and substantive services to committees, ad hoc tasks forces, etc.; draft and circulate agenda notes to members/participants; assemble background documentation; draft minutes of the meeting; monitor follow-up actions, etc. • Undertake mission/field work in support of activities, e.g. specific administrative, operational/control tasks for programme/project activities. • Establishes internal databases; sets up, files, stores and manages data and information relevant to the scope of programme/project activities. • Supervise three Programme Management Assistants (GS-6), including distribution and review of work assignments, training, and inputs to performance evaluation. • Assist 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. • Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Perform 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. Ability to identify, independently assess, formulate recommendations and/or resolve a wide range of issues/problems, undertake research and gather information from standard sources and to work well with figures including ability to analyze and understand financial data. Ability to design information databases from multiple sources into an integrated programme evaluation system. Ability to direct, supervise and train office support staff. Demonstrated ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given and discretion, resourcefulness, and ability to deal proactively and tactfully with offices throughout the organization. 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. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

A valid driver’s license is required with the ability to drive manual transmission vehicles.

Work Experience

Ten years of experience in mine action programme or project planning, administration, implementation, and technical cooperation or related area is required. A minimum of two years in a supervisory role is required. Experience in coordination and engaging with government officials, partners, and working in a multi-cultural environment is desirable. Experience designing, coordinating and disseminating public information products and communication activities is desirable.

Languages

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

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension subject to budgetary approval. Recruitment against this position is on a local basis; applicants in the General Service category shall meet the relevant employment requirements of the host country (Lebanon), including fulfilling visa or work permit stipulations. If you fulfill the visa and work permit stipulations for Lebanon, please specify in your cover letter and attach a copy of your visa and work permit under ‘attachments” of your application in Inspira. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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.