Job Openings at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

This position is in the Law Branch at UNEP's Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent will report to the Senior Programme Management Officer in the International Environmental Law Unit (ILU) and will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Independently provides full range of programme/project management and implementation assistance at all phases of the programme/project cycle for, typically, a large and highly complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives, seeking guidance only in exceptional circumstances.
• Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on wide range of programmes/projects and related topics, highlighting noteworthy issues/trends for consideration by appropriate parties.
• Tracks resolutions and other legislative decisions that affect programme/project content and oversees the preparation of the relevant database(s) to ensure the incorporation of programmatic and other changes enacted by legislation.
• Reviews, appraises and revises, as necessary, all submissions for substantive programmes/projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines and programme/project objectives; identifies problems/issues, seek clarification from departments, assess replies, and prepares a summary for the manager with suggestions for further action.
• Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of the Montevideo Programme, organizing all logistics and meetings of the Montevideo Programme National Focal Points and Steering Committee for Implementation activities and participates in programme/project evaluation.
• Monitors implementation at all stages to ensure work is proceeding according to established plans, including analysing implementation difficulties and initiating remedial action; liaises with diverse organizational units to initiate requests; prepares standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtains necessary clearances, processes and follows-up on administrative actions and resolves 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.
• May undertake mission/field work in support of above 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.
• Arranges for formal closures of projects, final budget revision, transfer of equipment, clearance, publication and distribution of final report.
• Works with funding agencies in arranging financing modalities; obtains requisite clearances; ensures establishment of proper monitoring systems through scheduled reporting, review meetings and missions.
• Drafts budget and forecast based on submissions; prepares monitoring checklists, identifying stages of programme/project development, funding source, inputs by reviewing internal and external bodies, and follow-up actions required.
• Monitors budgetary commitments, including verification of charges and obligation commitment documents in UMOJA for all financial transactions; prepares periodic budget revisions and ensures appropriate resource allocations; reconciles accounts with amended budget; evaluates trends of financial implementation and makes necessary recommendations to line manager.
• Prepares newsletters on programme/project-related activities; drafts inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence.
• Provides secretariat services to committees, ad hoc tasks forces; drafts and circulates agenda notes to members/participants; assembles background documentation; drafts minutes of the meeting; monitors follow-up actions.
• Supervises office support staff, including distribution and review of work assignments, training, and inputs to performance evaluation.
• 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.
• 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. 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 data bases 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. 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.
• 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.
• 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

• High school diploma or equivalent is required. Additional technical training in a field related to administration is desirable.
• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
• The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required.
• Experience in using Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP) or any other comparable Enterprise Resource Planning Software is required.
• Experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

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This post is located in the Communication Division at the Nairobi duty station. Under the supervision of the Fund Management Officer, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

Financial Management:

• Provide support with respect to the review, analyses and preparation of Division costed work plans and its revisions;
• Prepare supporting documents; Assist project managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions; Check payment requests; Monitor expenditures; Review requisitions for goods and services;
• Assist in preparation of budget performance reports and status of reports, analyzing variances;
• Co-ordinate with other finance/budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports;
• Assist in closure of year-end accounts; Review the final project accounts' runs;
• Liaise and follow up with United Nations Office Nairobi (UNON) for processing of requested payments;
• Prepare sub-allotment advices; Contribute in responding to audit queries by the internal and external auditors;
• Assist in preparing donor reports and drafting responses to donor queries.

Project Management:

• Facilitate the development and preparation of accurate project documents and revisions;
• Research for information and report on the projects;
• Prepare responses to project related queries;
• Assist in the closure of projects; Assist in the finalization of project approval;
• Assist in the follow up of receipt of cash advance statements, progress and final reports;
• Provide administrative and financial support in the management of projects;
• Follow up with project managers on receipt of progress reports and financial reports;
• Review reports received;
• Assist in preparing documents;
• Assist in drafting and reviewing legal agreements.

General:

• Keep up-to-date reference documents, reports and guidelines;
• Draft/prepare correspondence to respond to inquiries;
• Act as petty cash custodian ensuring cash journals are appropriately documented, reconciled and replenished as per laid down procedures;
• May be responsible for providing guidance, training and daily supervision to staff;
• 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.
• Performs other related duties assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment; Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyze and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions; Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems; 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.
• 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.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required. Supplementary training in programme/project administration/management, finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required.
• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
• The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years' progressive experience in administration, programme /project administration, finance, budget, accounting or related field is required.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in finance and budget modules is required.
• Experience working with Excel is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.