Org. Setting and Reporting

The post is located in the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) secretariat, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Geneva. The UNRSF helps to strengthen road safety management capacity at the national and local levels, and unlock sustainable sources of domestic road safety financing in low and middle-income countries by mobilizing global financial and technical resources; Support road safety programmes at the national and local levels by providing funding support to participating institutions and organizations throughout the funding cycle; Coordinate complementary channels of road safety and sustainable transport assistance to countries and cities to harmonize initiatives for the Sustainable Development Goals, and maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the goals. The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Programme Officer of the UNRSF secretariat.
This position is available for an initial period of three months with possibility of an extension.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer, the Programme Assistant supports the programme officers in the UNRSF secretariat. He/she will be responsible for the following duties:

– Assists in the programme planning and preparation for all components of the UNRSF plan of work; monitors status and registers, process and follows up all relevant documentation;
– Acts as focal point for administrative implementation of the UNRSF activities, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, such as travel arrangements, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services;
– Prepares project documents, cost plans/budgets, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval;
– Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information regarding all aspects of the UNRSF. (Terms of Reference; Memorandum of Understanding; Standard Administrative Arrangement between the Donor and the Administrative Agent; Rules of Procedures);
– Reviews budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system;
– Ensures servicing of UNRSF Advisory Board and Steering Committee meetings;
– Compiles, summarizes and enters data on Project delivery; drafts related status reports, identifying budget overruns, etc., and brings to the attention of management;
– Drafts correspondence on budget-related issues and prepares and updates periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries;
– Provides general office assistance and update the UNRSF website regularly; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; sets up and maintains files/records; organizes meetings, workshops; handles routine administrative tasks;
– Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of processes and procedures related to project administration, implementation, programming and budgeting. Ability to work 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related fields is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 3 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.

Out of these, two (3) years’ experience within the United Nations common system or similar International Organization is desirable.

Experience working with an ERP system such as Umoja is desirable.

Experience dealing with budgetary and administrative issues is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

This position is temporarily available for a period of three months with a 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.

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

At the Unite 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.

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.

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.