This position is located in the Global Compact Office (GCO). The Programme Officer, Local Networks, Africa reports to the Senior Programme Officer, Local Networks. The position will be hosted by the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Pretoria, South Africa.
Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer, Local Networks, Africa, will be responsible for the following duties:
•Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of Global Compact and Local Networks programmes and projects; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. Supports UN country teams and regional offices of UN organizations across the Africa region in engaging strategically with companies
•Facilitates stronger collaboration and partnerships between Global Compact Local Networks and UN country teams. Facilitate dialogue and partnerships between Governments and Local Networks in the region.
•Leads the development and coordinates the implementation of the UN Global Compact strategy for Africa.
•Performs consulting assignments by planning and facilitating workshops, through interactive sessions such as delivering training and capacity building of Local Networks.
•Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources with a focus on regional trends and responsible business practices.
•Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. Coordinates GCO support to Local Networks on recruitment of new participants. Manages projects involving the Local Networks, including with respect to quality standards, and programmatic collaboration. Solicits and vets applications for the Local Networks development fund from across the region. Coordinates and facilitates collaboration between Local Networks and the GCO in New York involving the roll out of national and regional initiatives on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.
•Undertakes consultations with Local Networks on strategic developments in the region, undertakes survey initiatives of Local Networks; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
•Prepares various written outputs, such as drafting background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
•Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, and conferences including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. Coordinates collaboration between GCO and Local Networks in the organization of one annual regional event and provides support for national and local events by Local Networks.
•Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, and seminars; makes presentations on the UN Global Compact and responsible business.
•Participates in the development, coordination and evaluation of UNGC projects specifically targeting participants in Africa; drafts mission summaries.
•Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).
•Performs other duties as required.
Professionalism:
Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. 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. Understanding of key trends related to corporate sustainability. 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.
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.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management related to the GCO's programmes and mandates, including managing and supporting multi- stakeholder initiatives and multi-lateral processes, or related area is required. Experience in corporate sustainability, especially as it relates to the collaboration between business and the United Nations, or collaboration between business and other similar large international organizations is required. Experience working on local level sustainable development initiatives in Africa is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English with knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
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.
Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
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.
Owing to the funding nature of this position, there is no expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Secretariat of the United Nations. Recruitment, selection and extension of appointments against this position will be subject to budgetary approval.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.
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.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.