Switzerland: Programme Management Officer

Mar 20, 2023 | United Nations Environment Programme
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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

Minimizing environmental threats to human well-being from the environmental dimensions of conflicts and disasters has been a key priority for UNEP since 1999, when the Disasters and Conflicts Branch was established to deliver high-quality environmental expertise to national governments and partners in the UN system that work to respond to and prevent crisis. With offices in different HQ and field duty stations, the Branch also has a strong track record of partnering with a broad range of actors and organizations – both within and outside the UN system – to develop, test and disseminate innovative approaches to complex multidimensional problems.

Within the Disasters and Conflicts Branch, the Policy and Analysis Unit delivers politically informed and context-specific analysis, policy advice, and programming aimed at supporting partners to prevent conflict, sustain peace, and build resilience to linked environmental, climate change and conflict crises. As the Policy and Analysis Unit accelerates its work to address the peace and security implications of climate and environmental change, additional capacity is needed on the team to support new engagements in crisis-affected contexts, including the second phase of the EU-UNEP Climate Change and Security Partnership (2022-2026).

This post is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will report directly to the Climate Change and Security Programme Manager in Geneva and secondly to the Head of the Environmental Security Unit in Nairobi. Within delegated authority, the Programme Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

  • Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, managed by the Policy and Analysis Unit of the Disasters and Conflicts Branch; 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.
  • Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources, including geospatial datasets, with a particular focus on environment- and climate-related risks to peace and security and nature-based solutions for adaptation and resilience.
  • Assists in multilateral and national policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
  • Undertakes surveys; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
  • Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft research papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
  • Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
  • Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
  • Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
  • 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).
  • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
  • Performs 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 analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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) in environmental studies, development studies, public policy, peace and conflict studies, 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.
  • Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

  • A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management in the field of international development and/or peace and security, is required.
  • Work experience in conflict-affected countries or UN mission settings is desirable.
  • Experience in mixed method research and analysis on the linkages of environment, climate, peace and security is desirable.
  • Experience with geospatial analysis tools supporting the monitoring and analysis of environmental, socio-economic, and security risks is desirable.
  • Two (2) years or more of experience in geospatial data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

  • English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French and/or Arabic 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

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.

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.

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.

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile 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 the applicant's eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact them.

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.

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.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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. If the applicant does not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, their application may not have been received. 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.