Programme management officer, L-3
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Vacancy Notice number: ISDR/G/01/2009
Date of issue: 2 January 2009
Date of entry: 1 March 2009
United Nations Core Values: Integrity - Professionalism - Respect for diversity
Background:
The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. In adopting ISDR, the United Nations General Assembly (Res/54/219) also endorsed the establishment of the ISDR secretariat (UNISDR).
The main functions of the secretariat are policy coordination, advocacy and information/knowledge management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Programme Management/Finance/Budget
- Within delegated authority, act as certifying officer (approve/confirm proposed obligations or disbursements in accordance with the Financial Rules and Regulations of the UN, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments).
- Assist in developing work programmes and budgets/costplans for the teams (headquarters and regional) of the ISDR secretariat; analyse inputs and formulate resource allocations by work program. Advise team leaders on financial planning.
- Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including drafting of costplans, monitoring of allotments and expenditures, drafting of agreements, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
- Provide support and guidance to regional offices with respect to administrative processes and procedures (monitoring of obligations and expenditures including IOVs; processing agreements with partners; grants, financial authorizations; etc.) Conduct regular field visits.
- Assist in the development of procedures and systems and implement same to ensure that accounting and financial management controls are consistent with UN policy and practice.
- Produce statistics on financial matters and coordinate the production of reports including donor reporting and the compilation of monthly management reports on financial issues.
- Supervises and/or provides guidance on financial administration and management information issues and practices to colleagues.
General Administration
- Monitors support services, including procurement of supplies and services; transport, travel and traffic, communications, engineering and information technology support; and provision of local utilities and service requirements.
Human resource management
- Assists in the administration of human resource activities, e.g. recruitment, placement, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification review, separation of staff members, training, etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures.
- Perform other duties as required.
Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:
The position is located in the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat (UNISDR), in Geneva, Switzerland reporting to the Head/Team Leader of the Administrative Services unit under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Staff at all levels, within UN/ISDR and administrative and accounting staff in regional offices as well as with administrative partners in the field. UNOG and OCHA counterparts (financial services, administration, central services, human resources, etc). Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies; member state personnel; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.
Results Expected:
Excellent management of extra budgetary resources through a coordinated and monitored work programme. Apply specialised expertise with respect to a range of work programme/planning, budget/financial management, general administration and administrative tasks of the UN/ISDR secretariat. Development and maintenance of effective working relationships. Efficient use of resources.
Competencies:
Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
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.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services.
Client Orientation: Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients (internal and external); 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.
Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks.
Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, accounting or related field. Experience in managing extra budgetary resources.
Language: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Other skills: Candidates should preferably have several years field experience in a UN organization with field programmes. Minimally candidates should have UN experience. Experience in donor relationships and reporting to donors a definite asset. IMIS training an asset.
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