Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the Transboundary Cooperation Section of the Environment Division in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will support work related to one or more Multilateral Environmental Agreements serviced by UNECE such as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), the Protocol on Water and Health and the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (Industrial Accidents Convention). The broad aim of UNECE’s environment activities is to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda. This temporary job opening is for an initial period of 9 months, with possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of a P4, Environmental Affairs Officer, and the general supervision of the P5, Chief, Transboundary Cooperation Section, Environment Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Assist in the coordination of programme/project planning, in particular for extrabudgetary projects, and preparation work for, typically, a medium-size and complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval. • Compile, summarize, and present basic information/data on specific programmes/project and related topics or issues. • Review project documents, especially cost plans/budgets, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identify inconsistencies; distribute project documents to relevant parties upon approval. • Review budget revisions; verify availability of funds; ensure necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system. • Serve as focal points for administrative coordination of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc. • Compile, summarize and enter data on project delivery; drafts related status reports, identify shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and bring to the attention of management. • Draft correspondence; interact with focal points, partners and stakeholders on organizational matters. • Review correspondence, for accuracy. • Draft correspondence on budget-related issues and prepare and update periodic reports, allotments, salary memos, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc. • Prepare updates of webpages, including storing of information in electronic information repositories • Provide general office assistance; respond to complex information requests and inquiries; review, log and route incoming correspondence; set up and maintain files/records; organize meetings, workshops; handle routine administrative tasks, such as maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing; maintain calendar/schedules; monitor changes and communicates relevant information to appropriate staff inside and outside the immediate work unit; compile and ensure the completeness of documents for consultancies and institutional contracts, communicate with consultants on contractual matters; take care of shipment arrangements, courier services; • Provide secretarial, administrative and logistics support to meetings outside and inside Geneva (including intergovernmental meetings), in person and via videoconferences; undertake necessary actions prior meetings, including circulating meeting invitations, registration material’s & accompanying document, formatting and submitting official document forecast etc; • Prepare and follow-up procedures for financial and visa support of participants for meetings, prepare and/or process related administrative requests in Umoja (travel requests, expenditure authorizations) and maintain comprehensive records on use of funds; • Coordinate with other sections (Conference services; IT helpdesk) for meeting room arrangements and equipment, prepare lists of participants; • Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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 & 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

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least five (5) years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required. The minimum number of years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Two (2) years of experience within the United Nations System or in a comparable international organization is required. Experience with monitoring cost plans/budgets, financial reporting, travel requests, consultancy contracts is required. Experience with Umoja, SAP, Oracle or other ERP system is required. Experience with organization of intergovernmental meetings is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and Russian is a working language of ECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Russian or French is required.

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 initially for nine months with possible 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. • 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. 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. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.