This position is located in the Information, Communication and Technology Analysis Section of the Science, Technology and ICT Branch within the Division on Technology and Logistics of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Programme Officer reports to the Chief of the ICT Analysis Section.
Within delegated authority, the Programme Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
•Provides strategic advice and operational support to the eTrade for all initiatives.
•Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
•Monitors economic developments in global e-commerce and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations and to the eTrade for all partners..
•Researches, analyses and presents information on selected issues in ICT for development gathered from diverse sources and drafts resulting reports.
•Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies,
•Generates survey initiatives in the key policy areas covered by eTrade for all initiative; 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, annual reports, newsletters, etc.
•Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
•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.
Professionalism:
- Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to e-commerce for development. Knowledge of capacity constraints and development challenges pertaining to the implementation of e-trade. 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.
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.
Creativity:
-Actively seeks to improve programmes or services;
-Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;
-Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
-Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box";
-Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;
-Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, international relations, economics, social sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work 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, administration or related area is required, out of which a minimum of 5 years of experience in trade-related technical assistance project planning and implementation is desirable. Previous experience developing or implementing inter-agency initiatives is an advantage. Experience supporting trade policy development is an asset.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French, is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Extension of the appointment is subject to the availability of the funds.
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.
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.