Organizational Context:

The UN System Staff College is the learning institution of reference for UN staff. We deliver learning programmes and provide a space for learning to UN staff at all levels, in all functions and locations. Governed by a Board chaired by the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, we are uniquely positioned above institutional silos and work in partnership with a wide array of UN entities, inter-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. By fostering a common leadership and management culture as well as a shared understanding of the policy and operational challenges facing the UN, we help the UN system deliver for the 2030 Agenda.

In Fall 2017 the College established the Knowledge Centre for Leadership and Management (KCLM) to consolidate its expertise in management and leadership development, align it with the UN System Leadership Framework recently adopted by the CEB, and grow its portfolio in this area. The objective of the Centre is to contribute to forging a common UN leadership and management culture for the 2030 Agenda by providing UN staff with world-class learning opportunities in core professional, management and leadership skills in line with the UN System Leadership Framework. In addition, with the UNSSC having been nominated by the Secretary General to be the repository for the newly developed UN Innovation Toolkit, the College has the mandate to engage across the UN System and, working with identified partners, design learning related to innovation to be made available to UN entities.

KCLM programmes are funded from three distinct sources: participant fees, contracts with UN agencies/entities, and donor grants.

Responsibilities:

  • Within delegated authority, the Associate Fellow will be responsible for the following duties:
  • Support the continued roll-out and iteration of the United Nations Innovation Toolkit;
  • Engage with relevant stakeholders, including the United Nations Innovation Network (UNIN);
  • Coordinate Toolkit related event(s) and Knowledge for Innovation Fairs, including stakeholder/contractor engagement and communication; identifying and proposing participants and themes; preparation of background documents and presentations; logistical arrangements; other duties as required; 
  • Support other outreach activities, including organization of events and regular Webinars linked to Toolkit use and iteration, drafting of news/knowledge nugget/social media articles and content, and other dissemination activities; 
  • Undertake research, analytical, and evaluative work on the utilisation, uptake, and lessons learned from the Toolkit launch, roll-out, and iteration processes in order to provide substantive input to UNSSC reporting and planning; 
  • Relatedly, contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.; 
  • Identify potential problems and issues to be addressed and recommend corrective and follow-up actions;
  • Participate in survey initiatives; assist with design of data collection tools; issue data collection tools, review, analyse and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare preliminary conclusions; 
  • Provide technical and operational support to the UNSSC team; 
  • Assist in the design and development of e-learning courses, e.g. eMC Modules on Innovation/the UN Innovation Toolkit 
  • Assist the Knowledge Centre for Leadership and Management in its activities, by performing other related duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

  • Counterparts, officers and technical staff across the UN system; 
  • Representatives and officials in national governments and other international organizations;
  • Members of civil society, academia and consultants.

Results Expected:

  • Provide timely and effective support and coordination for the UN Innovation Toolkit, and related initiatives.

Qualifications and experience:

The position requires:

  • Education: Advanced University degree in Innovation or a related field; adult learning, instructional design, educational technologies and/or related social sciences;
  • Experience: At least 2 years of working experience in innovation related activities; previous working experience in the UN System is an asset.
  • Language: Fluency in oral and written English is required. Ability to work professionally in other official UN languages is desirable.

Competencies:

  • Professionalism: Solid knowledge and understanding of the subject area. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

  • 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.

  • Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in the fields of adult learning, digital learning, and instructional design; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

  • Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available learning and web technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to enhance learning; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new tools, methodologies and technology.

This vacancy is archived.

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