Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism in the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), in Doha, State of Qatar. The Associate Programme Officer reports to the Head of the Research, Legal and Partnership Unit with overall supervision of the Head of the Office.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 45 Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

The UNOCT Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism, based in Doha, State of Qatar, aims to strengthen the parliamentary contribution to international efforts against terrorism and violent extremism. It seeks to promote a whole-of-society approach to terrorism and addressing conditions conducive to terrorism and support parliamentarians in facilitating the implementation of international obligations and instruments related to terrorism, including the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. The office operates through the following three functions: conducting research, analysis and normative work in support of counter terrorism and prevention of violent extremism; providing technical assistance and provision of consultative services; and promoting and facilitating collaboration and coordination among parliamentary assemblies, as well as national parliaments on countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Associate Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Works with key clients to facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned legal technical assistance and capacity building programmes for parliamentarians; monitors and analyzes specific aspects of programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and follow-up actions;
• Carries out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other initiatives and activities; supports in collecting, analyzing and presenting relevant technical inputs and statistical data, as well as other information gathered from diverse sources;
• Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in evaluations or research activities and studies;
• Assists in performing consulting assignments, in collaboration with the stakeholders, by planning and facilitating the development of specialized legal technical documents, capacity-building workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change;
• Participates in survey initiatives; assists with design of publications, multimedia resources, and data collection tools, reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies issues and prepares preliminary conclusions;
• Promotes visibility of the programmes by producing information and communications products (press releases, feature articles, social media products, brochures, and promotional materials); includes proposing topics, undertakes research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, and coordinating on the design, printing procedures and distribution; update the programme web page and other virtual tools
• Contributes to the effective functioning of the online Global Parliamentary Network and the Connect and Learn Platform, provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, learning programmes, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc;
• Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications; support the elaboration of action plans for stakeholders and reports for donors;
• Provides administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, training programmes, conferences, develops trainings, agenda topics, identifys and proposes participants, prepares background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc;
• Participates in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc;
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.);
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• 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 assist with 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.

• 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.

Education

A first-level university degree in law, international relations, political sciences, business administration, communications or a related field.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, administration or related area. No experience is required for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme examination (YPP) or the G to P Examination (G to P).

Experience working with parliamentarians or parliamentary assemblies is required.

Experience in planning, organizing and implementing high level activities or workshops on counter-terrorism, prevention of violent extremism, or related programmes is required.

Experience working in an international organization is desirable.

Experience with online networks and supporting the production of tools, publications and/or multimedia resources is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Arabic and/or French (both oral and written) is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for a period of six months, with the possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• 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.

• 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 of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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 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.

No Fee

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.