Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The Subregional Office for the Pacific works to strengthen regional cooperation and integration for sustainable development, in line with the subregional priorities of the Pacific, which include building resilience to climate change, sustainable ocean management, and reducing inequalities. In this context, the office is a part of the Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security (PCCM-HS) project (Phase II) jointly implemented with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – lead agency, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), and Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD). This position is to support the Subregional Office for the Pacific in the implementation of the project.

This position is located in the Subregional Office for the Pacific. The incumbent reports to Economic Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Economic Affairs Officer, and overall supervision of the Head of the Subregional Office for the Pacific, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

• Participates in the implementation of the project; monitors the progress of implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with project partners; identifies and tracks follow-up actions; communicate and collaborate with the project partners on the joint activities of the project, including organizing meetings, briefing member states on the project, as required. Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration and close consultation with the stakeholders including officials of the member states, by planning and facilitating consultation meetings and workshops.
• Assists in the development of implementation plan of the regional framework on climate mobility, including the plan for collaboration with regional organizations, coordination and consultation with relevant stakeholders, and development of terms of reference for external consultants as appropriate
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers for consultation meetings, talking points for meetings, and inputs to progress report to donors and work programme.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc, such as developing the concept and agenda of the meetings, identifying participants, communicating with the potential participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities as required; makes presentations on the project and related activities.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the Organization’s conference policies, procedures and practices. Ability to research, select, organize and summarize information required for the preparation of meetings. 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.
• 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.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, social development, climate change or related field is required.

A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of in project or programme management related to migration and climate change policy with senior government officials in the Pacific island sub-region is required.

Experience in multilateral consultation at international and regional levels is desirable.

Experience in project management, monitoring and coordination in a multi-stakeholder setting is desirable.

Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations 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 an advantage.

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. This post is open to Fijian nationals only.

Appointment against this post is on a local basis; candidates shall be Fijian nationals and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of ESCAP Subregional Office for the Pacific office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Fijian nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to travelling and relocating to Fiji in the event of an employment offer.

This is a temporary position and will be available for 4 months initially. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a temporary appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post.

Should a current General Service staff member be selected for this temporary position, he/she will be on a temporary assignment and may be granted a special post allowance (SPA), in accordance with ST/AI/1999/17.

Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements.

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.