Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Information Management Branch (IMB), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.
The incumbent will report to a Programme Management Officer, IMB.
Responsibilities
Within limits of delegated authority, the Programme Management Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
Programme Support:
•Provide assistance in support of planning, implementation and reporting activities related to OCHA's mandate information services, heretofore referred to as OCHA Products. These products include, but are not limited to, MS Office 365, humanitarian pooled funds, Central Emergency Response Funds, and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) information services platform.
•Assist in organizing and managing the regular follow-up of the implementation of the programme activities.
•Assist Manager in arranging client teleconferences, video-conferences and other related communications and guidance.
•Make arrangements for the prompt and effective implementation of the programme activities, including training, meetings and Manager missions.
•Assist in ensuring timelines and quality in delivery of product support and OCHA Product development of skills.
•Assist in the coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational units to initiate requests.
•Assist in preparing progress monitoring reports and follow-up on other required administrative actions.
Budget and Finance, Procurement
•Monitor expenditures and compare with approved budget; prepare adjustments as necessary.
•Assist managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
•Assist in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
•Prepare, maintain and update files and internal databases; design and generate a variety of financial periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content from Umoja and/or Anaplan, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.
•Coordinate with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports.
•Assist I technical product standardization.
•Perform procurement on behalf of IMB.
General Administration
•Draft routine correspondence and communications to respond to enquiries concerning relevant administrative, financial audit, personnel matters.
•Coordinate extensively with service units and liaise frequently with internal team members both at Headquarters and in the field.
•Perform other related administrative duties, as required (e.g., operational travel programme; monitoring accounts and payments to vendors and individual contractors for services, physical space planning; identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems; organizing and coordinating seminars, conferences and translations).
•Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of programmes; categorizes, updates, tracks and analyses data related to programmes, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions, etc.; carries out periodic status reviews, identifies issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions; prepares revised budget estimates; reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system; initiates financial authorizations for expenditures.
•Collaborates with programme managers on performance reporting; liaises with relevant parties on the interpretation of the activities/services scheduled in the PB and various planning instruments such as the medium-term plan and internal work plans; provides assistance on reporting requirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensures completeness and accuracy of data submitted.
•Drafts programme summaries, coordinates review and clearance process, and coordinates with editor, translation services, etc. on finalization and publication.
•Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff.
•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 and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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.
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.
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
High school diploma or equivalent 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.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required.
Experience working with an SAP based ERP system, such as Umoja or similar ERP platform, in handling budget, and procurement and/or Human Resources work is required.
Experience monitoring expenditures and preparing budget submissions is desirable.
Relevant experience in working within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
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.
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.
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.
This vacancy is archived.