Programme Management Assistant (Temporary Job Opening) [Temporary]

This position is located primarily in the ICT Policy Section of the Science, Technology and ICT Branch, Division on Technology and Logistics of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the ICT Policy Section and Programme Officers within the Section as needed.

The Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

-Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work for, typically, a medium-size and complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval.
-Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/project and related topics or issues.
-Reviews project documents, especially cost plans/budgets, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval.
-Reviews budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system.
-Serves as focal point for administrative coordination of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc.
-Compiles, summarizes and enters data on project delivery; drafts related status reports, identifying shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and brings to the attention of management.
-Drafts correspondence on budget-related issues and prepares and updates periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc.
-Provides general office assistance; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; sets up and maintains files/records; organizes meetings, workshops; handles routine administrative tasks, such as maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing, etc.
-Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff.
-Performs other duties as assigned.

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 work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated knowledge of ERP systems such as UMOJA. 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 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.

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.

High school diploma or equivalent.

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area. Experience in supporting the organization of large events/conferences is desired. Experience working on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as Umoja is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

•The temporary position is for an initial period of 3 months with an estimated start date as soon as possible. The duration of the appointment is subject to availability of funds.
•Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis, whether or not the candidate is a resident of the duty station.
•Candidates should have no expectation of any fixed-term appointment possibility after the end of this temporary assignment.
•If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment.
•Subsequent to the initial temporary appointment, new and successive temporary appointments may be granted for service in the same office or in a different office any number of times, for any duration, provided that the length of service does not exceed the period of 364 calendar days.
•Passing the United Nations Administrative Assessment Support Test (ASAT) or the Global General Service Test (GGST) in English or French at Headquarters, ECA, ESCWA, UNOG, UNOV, ICTR, or ICTY is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Service category in the United Nations Secretariat.
•A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments.
•All TJOs in the General Service and related categories, at the levels GS-5, GS-6 and GS-7 shall be open only to internal staff members at the respective duty station holding a Fixed-Term Appointment, Continuing Appointment or Permanent Appointment. When a qualified internal staff member cannot be identified, the hiring manager may submit a request for an exception for selecting an external candidate (including a staff member holding a temporary appointment). Such requests must be substantiated and submitted to the respective Recruitment focal point who in turn will review for transmittal to OHRM.
•In addition, all new entry-level recruitment in the General Service and related categories, for positions at the GS-4/TC-3/S-2/ PIA I levels and below, irrespective of the source of funding, will only be granted Temporary Appointments. Vacancies at these levels are open to both internal and external candidates, including staff members on temporary appointments. However, priority consideration will be given to serving staff members holding Fixed-Term Appointments followed by those holding Temporary Appointments. New external candidates will only be considered when a serving staff member holding a Fixed-Term or Temporary Appointment cannot be identified. Selection of a new external candidate requires the approval of OHRM. No entry level Fixed-Term Appointments will be granted to new external candidates.
•While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1
•For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.
•For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.

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.

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.