PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER (Administration & Business Operations Strategy - BOS)

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) is the UN Office at the forefront of coordinating a collaborative contribution to the UN development system, towards its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This position is located in the United Nations Development Coordination Office - Regional Office for Africa (UNDCO-ROA) Dakar Hub. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Regional Director for Africa and works in close coordination with the Business Management Branch and Country Business Strategy Section at UNDCO Headquarters, New York.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent supports the Operations Management Teams (OMTs), in particular in the scaling of the Business Operations Strategy (BOS), Common Back Office and Common Premises and the UNDCO-ROA Dakar Hub, performing the following duties:

• Provide substantive support in the implementation of Business Operations Strategies (BOS) as well as the establishment of Common Premises (CP) in West, Central and North Africa regions.
• Provide Quality Assurance of the BOS and Common Back Office (CBO) frameworks in West, Central and North Africa regions, in close collaboration with UNDCO HQ and the UNSDG BOS TWG.
• Monitor BOS implementation in West, Central and North Africa countries, identifying bottlenecks and facilitating solutions, and contribute to scaling up of innovations at country and regional levels.
• Liaise with UNDCO HQ on issues related to Efficiency reform implementation that need resolution and recommends solutions from reports on best practices.
• Take the lead in providing operational support for the UNDCO-ROA Dakar Hub and RCOs in West, Central and North Africa regions including all aspects related to the administration of human resources activities, preparation and implementation of the work programme, procurement, travel and management of office space.
• Act as backup Certifying Officer for RCOs in West, Central and North Africa regions on travel, procurement and consultancy.
• Monitor and review the work programme and budget of UNDCO-ROA Dakar Hub and RCOs in West, Central and North Africa regions by conducting regular and special reviews together with the counterpart at DCO-ROA in Addis Ababa to assess progress of actual work versus the programme plan. Coordinate the production of programme reports.
• Facilitate the provision of policy guidance and assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies, enabling improvements in operational support and capacity to deliver the SDGs.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources; perform regional analysis and modeling; promote common data sets at country and regional levels.
• Undertake survey initiatives; design data collection tools; review, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions.
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Undertake outreach activities; conducts training, workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on Efficiency reforms and RCS Administration and Operation related topics/activities.
• Participate in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Perform other relevant duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to common premises. 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.

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.

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.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Project Management Professional Certification Program (PMP) OR PRINCE2 certification is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration, or a related area, is required.

Three years (3) of working experience with the United Nations or a comparable international organization's systems policies, practices and procedures is required.

Experience in the UN inter-agency collaboration and development cooperation is desirable.

Experience in operations management is desirable.

Knowledge of Business Operations Strategy (BOS), Common Back Office, Common Premises operations is desirable.

Working experience at the headquarters of a development cooperation organization is desirable.

Field experience in development cooperation is desirable.

Work experience of two (2) years or more in 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 the French and English languages (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language 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 for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which may be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference or face-to-face.

Special Notice

This is a Fixed Term position. Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year, subject to extension. Please note that extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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 in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. RCS is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

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.

Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, 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 your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.

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. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" 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.

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.