Closing date: Saturday, 20 December 2014

Programme Management Officer, P-3

Mitigation, Data and Analysis (MDA) Programme

Management and Coordination (M&C) Sub-programme

Deadline for application: 20 December 2014

Announcement number: VA 14/082/MDA

Expected date for entry on duty: As soon as possible

Duration of appointment: One year and a half years with possibility of extension

Duty Station: Bonn, Germany

Publication date: 21 November 2014,

Post number: ZRB-2944-P3-007

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the focus of the political process to address Climate Change. The Convention secretariat supports the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol by a range of activities, including substantive and organizational support to meetings of the Parties.

The Mitigation, Data and Analysis (MDA) programme supports the intergovernmental negotiations on matters relating to national communications, inventories, assigned amounts and policy instruments. MDA is also responsible for the substantive support of the international transaction log and registry systems under the Kyoto Protocol.

Where will you be working

Holding an administrative position, you will be detached from Administrative Services to the MDA Programme and have dual reporting accountability to the Coordinator of the MDA Programme as well as to the Coordinator for Administrative Services programme (AS).

What you will be doing

You will be accountable for decentralized administrative support to the Mitigation, Data and Analysis programme (MDA) in the areas of Programme Budget and Administration.

Expected key results:

• Programme Budget planning, execution and reporting
• Administrative operations
• General programme support

You will have the following responsibilities:

1. Ensure the provision of advice and operational support in the planning, execution and reporting on the programme's work programme and the programme budget activities to enhance the effective management of the programme's resources. In this regard you will:
   1. Coordinate the preparation of the work programme and budget for the programme, including in the planning and formulation of activities in addition to the biennial work programme and core budget; initiate and coordinate related actions on a continuous basis; prepare the budgetary and financial documents;
   2. Monitor and review the work programme, other activities and related budgets by conducting regular and special reviews to assess progress of actual work and results versus the programme plan; coordinate the production of programme reports such as programme delivery, project and financial reports; and
   3. Ensure that the programme's financial resources are optimally utilized to implement activities in accordance with the programme budget and other funding agreements and allotments issued.
2. Ensures the efficient administrative operations within the programme related to the entire span of administrative activities, e.g. finance, budget, human resources, procurement, travel, office space management, technology and material resources. This function includes the following tasks:
   1. Advice to the programme on administrative regulations, rules and procedures: In close consultation with the specialists in Administrative Services, you will advise and provide recommendations to the programme coordinator, managers and supervisors on the full range of UNFCCC administrative guidelines and procedures ensuring integrity and accountability in their implementation; identify operational and strategic programme issues and priorities and build consensus between AS and the programme on how to proceed on administrative actions;
   2. Advice to Administrative Services: You will regularly review and assist in the improvement and development of internal guidelines, procedures and administrative operations applicable across the secretariat; you will provide input to UN common system administrative policies as requested;
   3. Finance and Budget: You will take the lead in specific financial management of the programme including:
      1. Budget tracking, expenditure planning and preparation of programme specific financial reports;
      2. In close cooperation with the AS/Programme Planning and Budget unit, coordinating the programme's identified resource mobilization opportunities and monitoring the income and allocation of specific funds to programme projects;
      3. Monitoring and exercising strict control over budgetary allocations; and
      4. Under specific delegations of authority acting as certifying officer for obligations and initiating their liquidation and closure in accordance with the financial rules and procedures.
   4. Human resources: You will initiate and coordinate actions covering areas of human resource activities including:
      1. Identifying, analyzing and monitoring on a continuous basis the programme's short and long term staffing needs in consultation with the programme coordinator;
      2. Advising on and coordinating the preparation of job descriptions and terms of reference;
      3. Advising on and coordinating recruitment activities for the programme including drafting interview questions and overseeing the logistics for interview panels;
      4. Monitoring contractual status of programme staff, consultants, contractors and other temporary staff; coordinating related actions for extensions, renewals or terminations;
      5. Effectively supporting programme supervisors and staff in and coordinating actions relative to the administration of human resources in the programme, e.g. job classification reviews, promotion, placement, performance appraisal, staff development, separation, etc. ensuring equity and consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures.
   5. Procurement: You will facilitate programme procurement requests for goods and services including:
      1. Coordinating between the programme and AS/PGSU in the solicitation processes, including contributing to and participating in presentations to the Joint Local Committee on Contracts;
      2. Advising programme staff on monitoring and evaluation of vendor performance and contract implementation;
      3. Recommending corrective measures if and when required;
      4. Inspecting invoices for goods and services received by the programme, including from consultants, contractors, temporary staff and expenditure reports from governmental and intergovernmental organizations; and
      5. Acting as certifying officer for payments in accordance with specific delegation of authority;
   6. Travel: You will coordinate travel related actions for programme staff, experts and consultants; certify mission travel requests and claims for staff, consultants and meeting participants/experts;
   7. Office space and IT: You will review the programme's office space and information technology requirements; make relevant recommendations and initiate and coordinate related actions with Administrative Services and Information Technology Services programmes as appropriate; and
   8. Material resources: You will ensure that the fixed assets allocated to the sub-programme are controlled and maintained.

3. In the area of general programme support and related activities, you will:

1. Serve as focal point for coordinating activities of an administrative nature with Administrative Services, other programmes and external counterparts; participate in preparing agreements and arrangements for collaboration with other UN organizations, potential donors, beneficiaries and host countries;
2. Represent the programme on secretariat-wide committees, task forces and other groups that are of an administrative nature;
3. Assist the coordinator in facilitating management meetings and act as secretary; and
4. Plan, organize and supervise the activities of the Programme Administrative Assistant(s) (PAA); provide effective guidance and development opportunities to the PAA(s) and evaluate performance.

4. You will perform any other job related activity required to meet the overall programme as well as secretariat-wide mandates, goals and objectives, including participating in the overall management of secretariat-wide and programme-wide activities, such as serving as a member of relevant administrative committees as assigned. You will also back stop other Programme Management Officers during their absence.

What are we looking for

Educational background

Required: Advanced university degree in business or public administration, finance and accounting, social science or a related area. A combination of a relevant first university degree, plus additional years of substantial professional experience in the field may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

Required: At least five (5) years of relevant progressive professional experience in programme management, administration, finance or related area, of which two (2) years should preferably be at an international level.

Language skills

Required: Fluency in written and spoken English.

Asset: Working knowledge of another UN language.

Specific professional knowledge

Required

Specialized expertise in monitoring and evaluation in particular with respect to programme planning and development, project implementation, results based budgeting, financial management and programme administration.

Knowledge of UN administrative policies, regulations and rules. Job related skills Required: Strong project formulation and management skills, administrative and organizational skills and excellent interpersonal relationship skills. Strong data analysis and spread sheet calculation skills, in particular with regard to large financial datasets.

What is the selection process

You may be invited for assessment of your technical/professional knowledge. If successful you may be invited for the final stage of the selection process, which consists of a competency based interview to assess the skills and aptitudes required to successfully perform the functions of the post. The following set of competencies for this particular post will be applied: Being accountable, communicating with impact, being responsive to clients and partners, leading and empowering others

How to apply

Candidates, whose qualifications and experience match what we are looking for, should use the on- line application system available at unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/recruitment.

Please note:

1. Qualified women candidates and candidates from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.
2. Service is limited to the UNFCCC Secretariat.
3. We will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates under serious consideration and contacted for an interview will receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.
4. Salary and Allowances:
   • US$ 56,198 to 62,922 (without dependents)
   • US$ 60,205 to 67,515 (with dependents)
   • (plus variable post adjustment, currently 40.8 % of net salary), plus other UN benefits as indicated in the link below

Application information: https://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/UserManagement/FileStorage/NKAI2Z4OC9J8DQWM067X3GPB1VHSUY