- DESA - Department of Economic and Social Affairs
- New York, United States
- Closing Date : 17 February 2017
| Posting Title: | Senior Programme Management Assistant |
| Job Code Title: | Senior Programme Management Assistant |
| Department/Office: | DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS |
| Duty Station: | NEW YORK |
| Posting Period: | 19 January 2017 - 17 February 2017 |
| Job Opening Number: | 17-Programme Management-DESA-72166-R-New York (O) |
Special Notice
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.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
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. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; or the United Nations Accounting or Statistical Assistant Examination at the United Nations Headquarters may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
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. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; or the United Nations Accounting or Statistical Assistant Examination at the United Nations Headquarters may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
This position is located in the Office of the Director, Division for Social Policy and Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division is mandated to strengthen international cooperation for social development, particularly in the context of the comprehensive and detailed framework of commitments and policies for action by Governments, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations provided by the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, the 2030 Agenda and other related global frameworks. The incumbent will report to the Director of DSPD. More information on the Division is available at https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Senior Programme Management Assistant is responsible for the following duties:
•Independently provides full range of programme/project management and implementation assistance at all phases of the programme/project cycle of the Division, seeking guidance only in exceptional circumstances.
•Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on programmes/project implementation, financial and budgetary resources and related topics, highlighting noteworthy issues/trends for consideration by appropriate parties.
•Tracks resolutions and other legislative decisions that affect programme/project content and oversees the preparation of the relevant database(s) to ensure the incorporation of programmatic and other changes enacted by legislation.
•Reviews, appraises and revises, as necessary, all submissions for substantive programmes/projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines and programme/project objectives; identifies problems/issues, seek clarification from departments, as required, assesses replies, and prepares a summary for the manager with suggestions for further action.
•Prepares annual cost plans of substantive trust funds and projected expenditures based on submissions from work units; prepares monitoring checklists, identifying stages of programme/project development, funding source, inputs, and follow-up actions required.
•Monitors programme commitments for all DSPD regular budget accounts, Trust Fund, their subfunds and earmarked contributions, with a view to keeping approved budgets within their established ceilings; prepares periodic budget revisions and ensures appropriate resource allocations; reconciles accounts with amended budget; evaluates trends of financial implementation and makes necessary recommendations to the Director and line managers, as appropriate.
•Monitors programme commitments and implementation of activities under the technical cooperation accounts, evaluating trends of financial and programme implementation and makes necessary recommendations to the Director and line managers, as appropriate.
•Prepares factsheets, tables, reports and other documentation on programme/project-related activities and financial and budgetary resources, and drafts inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, and correspondence as required by intergovernmental bodies and other monitoring mechanisms, including the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Third and Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, and the Commission for Social Development.
•Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme implementation activities, establishes the log frame, reviews and finalised programme performance in IMDIS, participates in programme/project evaluation and assists in drafting programme performance reports ensures work is proceeding according to established plans, including analysing implementation difficulties and initiating remedial action; liaises with diverse organizational units to initiate requests; prepares standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtains and provides necessary clearances, as required, processes and follows-up on and resolves issues related to project implementation, including organization of training plan, authorization of payments, and disbursement of funds.
•Supervises office support staff, as assigned, including distribution and review of work assignments, training, and inputs to performance evaluation.
•Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies•Independently provides full range of programme/project management and implementation assistance at all phases of the programme/project cycle of the Division, seeking guidance only in exceptional circumstances.
•Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on programmes/project implementation, financial and budgetary resources and related topics, highlighting noteworthy issues/trends for consideration by appropriate parties.
•Tracks resolutions and other legislative decisions that affect programme/project content and oversees the preparation of the relevant database(s) to ensure the incorporation of programmatic and other changes enacted by legislation.
•Reviews, appraises and revises, as necessary, all submissions for substantive programmes/projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines and programme/project objectives; identifies problems/issues, seek clarification from departments, as required, assesses replies, and prepares a summary for the manager with suggestions for further action.
•Prepares annual cost plans of substantive trust funds and projected expenditures based on submissions from work units; prepares monitoring checklists, identifying stages of programme/project development, funding source, inputs, and follow-up actions required.
•Monitors programme commitments for all DSPD regular budget accounts, Trust Fund, their subfunds and earmarked contributions, with a view to keeping approved budgets within their established ceilings; prepares periodic budget revisions and ensures appropriate resource allocations; reconciles accounts with amended budget; evaluates trends of financial implementation and makes necessary recommendations to the Director and line managers, as appropriate.
•Monitors programme commitments and implementation of activities under the technical cooperation accounts, evaluating trends of financial and programme implementation and makes necessary recommendations to the Director and line managers, as appropriate.
•Prepares factsheets, tables, reports and other documentation on programme/project-related activities and financial and budgetary resources, and drafts inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, and correspondence as required by intergovernmental bodies and other monitoring mechanisms, including the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Third and Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, and the Commission for Social Development.
•Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme implementation activities, establishes the log frame, reviews and finalised programme performance in IMDIS, participates in programme/project evaluation and assists in drafting programme performance reports ensures work is proceeding according to established plans, including analysing implementation difficulties and initiating remedial action; liaises with diverse organizational units to initiate requests; prepares standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtains and provides necessary clearances, as required, processes and follows-up on and resolves issues related to project implementation, including organization of training plan, authorization of payments, and disbursement of funds.
•Supervises office support staff, as assigned, including distribution and review of work assignments, training, and inputs to performance evaluation.
•Performs other duties as assigned.
• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project operations, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of DESA/DSPD and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to identify, independently assess, formulate recommendations and/or resolve a wide range of issues/problems, undertake research and gather information from standard sources and to work well with figures including ability to analyze and understand financial data. Ability to design information data bases from multiple sources into an integrated programme evaluation system. Ability to direct, supervise and train office support staff. Demonstrated ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given and discretion, resourcefulness and ability to deal proactively and tactfully with offices throughout the organization. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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.
• 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.
Education• 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.
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required. Experience working with the UN or other international organization is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.