Programme Management Officer at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

This post is located in the Climate Finance Unit (CFU), Ecosystems Division at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Climate Finance Unit (CFU) and under the overall supervision of the Coordinator of the Nature for Climate Branch, the Programme Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Participates in the effective coordination of the projects of the Climate Finance Unit, such as the Land Use Finance Project, Restoration Seed Capital Facility and other projects, ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures; monitors and analyzes programme/ project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
2. Participates in the preparation and implementation of the work programme of the Land Use Finance project and other funded projects of the Climate Finance Unit, working closely with project specialists across the unit and broader within UNEP, ensuring timely delivery of agreed outputs and reporting internally within UNEP and externally to donors in a swift and timely manner.
3. Contributes to monitoring and reviewing the work programme from a substantive perspective by conducting regular and special reviews to assess progress of actual work versus the programme plan (i.e. results-framework). Organize the production of programme reports.
4. Contributes to work related to procurement of relevant anticipated activities such as the selection of external trustees or private sector entities with whom the Climate Finance Unit works with in the context of the Restoration Seed Capital Facility and other projects. Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources. Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
5. Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
6. Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
7. Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
8. Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
9. Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
10. Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).
11. Contributes to drafting and consulting on legal agreements with staff in Corporate Services Division and Ecosystems Division, and other colleagues as needed. Contribute to finalize and process legal agreements following internal consultation.
12. Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

1. 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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

1. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or a related area is required.
2. Previous experience in managing projects or programs for the United Nations or an international organization, is desirable.
3. Experience in drafting progress reports is desirable.
4. Experience in the submission of budgets and funding is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (oral and written) is required,knowledge of French is a 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 post is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Please note that extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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 in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, 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.

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 "Need Help?" link.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.