Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) Programme of the Debt and Development Finance Branch of UNCTAD’s Division on Globalization and Development Strategies. The DMFAS Programme is a technical cooperation programme that provides technical assistance to developing countries to assist them in strengthening their capacity to manage public debt. Under the general guidance of the Project Management Unit (PMU) Coordinator, responsible for promoting, developing, seeking funding for, implementing and administrating debt management technical cooperation projects, the Project Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

1) Manage a portfolio of DMFAS country projects, the specific tasks for which includes:

– Elaborate technical assistance project documents or other types of contractual arrangements after assessing the needs of client-institutions, assist in seeking donor funding as required, successfully negotiate with and secure final approval of contractual document from all project stakeholders.

– Plan, organise and implement project activities in an efficient, cost effective and timely fashion in accordance with the agreed contractual agreements, indicators and targets, and in accordance with the relevant UNCTAD, donor and government procedures.

– In particular, initiate the selection and supervise the recruitment of consultants, develop their terms of reference and workplan, monitor their work in the field and review and approve their mission reports. As required, mobilise other project inputs, supervise project purchases in accordance with agreed procurement procedures and organise the relevant national or regional training events.

– Manage project budgets, including initiating the necessary budget revisions, and ensure timely financial reporting to the project stakeholders. The above responsibilities will be undertaken in close coordination and in accordance with the governing financial regulations of UNCTAD’s Budget Planning and Finance Section. Ensure that all user-institutions participate in the Programme’s cost-sharing and cost-recovery mechanisms.

– Build strong cooperative relationships with the local project counterparts, beneficiaries and donors before and during the project implementation, and continue to foster these relationships after the closure of projects, liaise with the national and regional partner organisations and technical assistance community, including the UNDP and World Bank field offices. Be responsible for all correspondence with the project stakeholders.

– Monitor the progress and impact of project activities, prepare reports for the project stakeholders and in accordance to the periodic reporting requirement of the Programme and UNCTAD; maintain accurate and up-to-date records on all aspects of the projects and user- institutions, including through the project monitoring and evaluation systems used by the Programme and UNCTAD.

2) Undertake frequent missions in the field to contribute to the accomplishment of the above responsibilities, including, as required, the fielding of needs-assessment / fund-raising / promotional / training missions; diagnostic, reform plan and debt analysis missions; and project evaluation assignments. Represent the Programme in certain international fora.

3) Contribute, when required, to the development and delivery of the Programme’s products and services, including in training activities and in providing feedback on system functionalities.

4) Keep abreast of developments in the area of debt management and be cognisant of new economic and political changes affecting the debt offices of client-institution, understand the main functionalities of the DMFAS system with a view to facilitate the implementation of the above list of responsibilities.

5) Assist in the preparation of documents and reports published by the Programme, such as the Programme’s Annual Report; undertake other functions as entrusted by the Chief of the Programme.

Competencies

Professionalism: Proven expertise in organising, funding, planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting of projects in the area of technical assistance. Proven record of timely delivery of project documents. Good knowledge of United Nations procedures for technical cooperation. Comprehensive knowledge of public debt management issues. Proven analytical skills, capacity to apply economic theory and concepts to project related issues. Ability to apply critical thinking and demonstrate problem solving skills. Availability for frequent travel to developing countries is required. 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.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors on-going developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in finance, economics, business administration, international relations or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Minimum five years of experience in managing technical cooperation projects or similar relevant experience is required.

Experience in the organisation and the delivery of training activities in developing countries is required.

Experience in technical cooperation, preferably within the United Nations Common system or in international institutions is desirable.

Experience in dealing with debt management issues and in public debt management systems is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily for three months with 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.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• 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. 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 and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

• 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.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.