Programme Officer at United Nations

Location: (FCT) Abuja
Job Reference Number: 21-Programme Management-GCO-168324-R-Abuja (X)

Job Description

• This position is located in Local Networks team, Global Compact Office in Africa (Abuja). The Programme Officer (Regional Office, Abuja) reports to the Senior Programme Officer, Local Networks. The incumbent of this post will contribute towards the development and delivery of the UN Global Compact Strategy for the African region.
• The United Nations Global Compact is the United Nation's voluntary corporate sustainability initiative in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. It revolves around ten universal principles drawn from four key international instruments in these areas.
• The Global Compact Office is the United Nations entity responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Global Compact initiative. It pursues two complementary objectives: (1) making the Global Compact and its principles part of business strategy and operations everywhere; and (2) facilitating cooperation among key stakeholders by promoting partnerships and collective action in support of United Nations, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer (Regional Office, Abuja) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Develops, implements and evaluates programmes/projects with a focus on the collaboration with the United Nations country teams and regional offices of United Nations organizations across the African region, including by facilitating collaboration between Local Networks, United Nations country teams and the local business communities, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation with an aim to create greater awareness of the United Nations Global Compact Office across the African region and recruit additional participants for the initiatives; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions, including supporting the engagement of government representatives across the African region through facilitation of collaboration between Local Networks and the respective national and sub-national governments; liaises with relevant parties, including collaboration with Global Compact Networks across the African region, managing any issues related to governance or integrity in close collaboration with colleagues in the Global Compact Office in New York; ensures follow-up actions.
• Develops and delivers programmatic activities planned specifically for the African region; provides support to Global Compact Networks in delivering on global programmes.
• Performs consulting assignments, planning and facilitating workshops and delivering training and capacity building of Global Compact Networks across the African region.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, 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.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, management, economics or a related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, business administration or a related area is required.
• Experience in working with business and sustainability, the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the African region is desirable.
• Experience working within or together with the United Nations or other similar international organization, is desirable.
• Experience managing strategic alliances is desirable.
• Experience in resource mobilization is desirable.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular corporate sustainability in the African region. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Knowledge of key trends related to corporate sustainability in the respective region.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment:

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

Special Notice

• Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.
• This is an extra-budgetary funded position. The appointment or assignment and renewal, therefore, are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
• 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.

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 legislation's of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuance and guidelines.
• Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspire 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.