Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Secretariat of the Joint Inspection Unit. The JIU is responsible to the General Assembly and to the legislative organs of organizations within the United Nations system that accept its statute as a system-wide oversight body. Applicants from JIU participating organizations will be considered internal candidates for this position, provided they have been appointed through the normal appointment and promotion procedure applicable in their organization.

The incumbent reports to a Senior Evaluation and Inspection Officer, delegated by the Executive Secretary of the JIU. Substantive guidance is provided by the Inspector(s) in charge of the management of the relevant evaluations or inspections. The incumbent is expected to work mostly independently with minimum supervision.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Assists in conducting impartial, independent, professional and effective evaluations and inspections by:
a) planning and organizing evaluations and inspections, drafting terms of reference, developing detailed work plans, drafting data collection matrix, drafting correspondence, gathering information and conducting preliminary reviews of quantitative and qualitative data, developing questionnaires and surveys;
b) developing interview guides, participating in evaluation and inspection missions, assisting and advising the Inspectors, participating in interviews, gathering and reviewing documents and other information and documenting the results;
c) analyzing all information collected using quantitative and qualitative methods for data analysis, including sampling techniques, as appropriate;
d) drafting evaluation and inspection reports, notes and management (confidential) letters including recommendations for action;
e) reviewing comments received from participating organizations on draft reports and other deliverables;
f) liaising with the editors and other relevant staff to ensure the timely finalization of the report.

2. Helps to ensure that evaluation and inspection findings and recommendations have the intended impact by:
a) drafting clear and relevant recommendations, addressing the root causes of the areas of improvement identified;
b) monitoring timely consideration of reports and recommendations by legislative bodies and executive heads;
c) following–up on the acceptance and implementation of recommendations;
d) contribute to/prepare review highlights and other outreach products related to the review;
e) assisting in organizing meetings and presentations to present and disseminate evaluation and inspection findings and recommendations.

3. Acts as focal point officer for selected participating organizations by:
a) keeping abreast of developments in those organizations and informing the Inspectors concerned and the Executive Secretary on issues relevant to the work of the JIU;
b) participating with the inspectors in meetings with officials from participating organizations, interagency meetings and intergovernmental meetings, as required;
c) providing input to the preparation of updates, summaries and (risk) assessments on JIU relationships with selected participating organizations.

4. Contributes to further developing and refining evaluation and inspection methodologies and tools by:
a) keeping abreast of developments in the evaluation and audit professions;
b) identifying issues and contributing to the development of policies, guidance and procedures;
c) facilitating cooperation and interaction with other UN evaluation and inspection units and professional bodies.

5. Contributes to the preparation of the JIU Annual Programme of Work by:
a) identifying issues or areas which could benefit from an evaluation or inspection, and developing proposals for consideration by the Inspectors;
b) assisting in the validation of proposals received for the Programme of Work, gathering background information and assessing resource requirements.

6. Performs other related duties and assignments as and when required, including training, JIU team meetings, support to JIU initiatives, participating in relevant UN initiatives, etc.

Competencies

Professionalism: Familiarity with the UN system and its key mandates and reform initiatives. Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the field of evaluation and audit. Understand and map processes and systems, analyze large amounts of evidence, identify areas for improvement, formulate evidence-based conclusions and relevant and appropriate recommendations in line with best practices. Knowledge of advanced quantitative and qualitative data analytics tools. Proven drafting skills. Ability to speak clearly and effectively in a concise manner, ask pertinent questions, listen to others, correctly interpret messages received and respond appropriately. 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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, public administration, business administration, programme evaluation or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

A relevant professional certificate (e.g. CPA/ACA, CIA, CISA, etc) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience, of which at least two in independent oversight (audit or evaluation), is required.

International experience is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

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.