Programme Management Officer

Programme Management Officer

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Link job: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=150682

Department/Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Deadline: 24 April 2021

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Evaluation and Oversight Section within the Executive Office of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in New York. 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 focus of this position is to lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes, operations and other activities in an assigned functional area.

The Programme Officer will directly report to the Head of Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, including planning, organizing and managing OCHA internal and inter-agency humanitarian evaluations; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; formulates and reviews relevant documents and reports, including terms of references and evaluation proposals; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources for the development and preparation of OCHA evaluation standards, procedures, criteria and methodological guidance for internal and Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluations and the promotion of innovation in evaluation methodology and dissemination of good practices,
Coordinates policy development -- including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings and conferences (including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.), as well as technical support to the Chief of Section on evaluation design, methodology and their adaptation to specific contexts, and more generally to other programme managers on humanitarian evaluation.
Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant evaluation design, in particular in developing clear and focused evaluation questions to assess humanitarian action in complex, crisis situations. Ability to maintain productive partnerships with relevant client groups (including IASC and external evaluation professionals), by gaining and preserving their trust and respect. 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. 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 & 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public health, international studies, public administration, economics, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Formal training/certification in contemporary evaluation methodologies and approaches is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, evaluation, administration or related area is required.
At least two years of humanitarian experience in the field within the last seven (7) years (actual setting where a mission or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required.
Demonstrable recent experience designing, conducting and managing independent inter-agency evaluations in a dedicated evaluation capacity; and in establishing and maintaining productive partnerships with evaluation clients is required.

Languages

French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in written and verbal English is required. Fluency in French or Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds.

Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidate may be required to start the assignment/appointment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further 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.

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.

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.