Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), United Nations Office at Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Executive Secretary of the JIU.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent will lead one of the two clusters of the Unit and will fulfill the following responsibilities:

1. Supervises the conduct of independent, professional and effective evaluations and inspections by:
a) Leading and managing evaluation and inspection team/s to successful achievement of targeted results, ensuring the timeliness, relevance, credibility, objectivity and utility of their outputs and approaches;
b) Providing guidance on evaluation and inspection standards, checklist and formats by training and mentoring new staff on theory and conduct of inspections and evaluations;
c) Ensuring quality by undertaking reviews of the team’s progress in accordance with the plan and reviews of outputs at key milestones in the life cycle of an evaluation or inspection assignment including TORs, inception paper, draft report outline and final draft report.

2. Conducts impartial, independent, professional and effective evaluations and inspections by:
a) Planning and organizing evaluations and inspections, developing detailed work plans, drafting correspondence, gathering information and conducting preliminary reviews, 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.

3. Supports the Executive Secretary in the management of the office by:
a) Assisting in the planning/recruitment of human resources and financial resources;
b) Contributing to the preparation of the JIU Annual Programme of Work, identifying issues or areas which could benefit from an evaluation or inspection and validating proposals received;
c) Facilitating cooperation and interaction with other UN evaluation and inspection units and professional bodies.
d) Participating in meetings relating to work of the JIU – such as working groups, peer reviews, project quality reviews, formal and informal meetings of Inspectors, and meetings with focal points and oversight bodies of participating organizations.
e) Performing reviews of project proposals and validations for proposed programme of work topics.
f) Keeping abreast of developments in the profession, identifying issues and contributing to further developing and refining evaluation and inspection methodologies, policies, guidance, procedures and tools;
g) Acting as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Executive Secretary;
h) Acting as Certifying Officer for different types of expenditure.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of evaluation and/or audit methodologies. Demonstrates knowledge of key programme and management issues in the United Nations system. Demonstrates knowledge of United Nations regulations and rules, especially in matters relating to finance and budget, human resources management and programme planning. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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.

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.

Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent degree) in accounting, auditing, programme evaluation, public administration, business administration, social sciences or related fields, is required. A first-level university degree in the specified fields of studies in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Relevant professional certification, such as Certified Internal Auditor, Credentialed Evaluator, Chartered Professional Accountant or Programme Management Professional is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in oversight roles (evaluations, or inspections or auditing) is required.

Work experience in performing independent oversight reviews (evaluation, or inspection or auditing) including managing review teams and drafting reports, is required.

Work experience managing an independent oversight review team, including guidance and support to team members is required.

Experience in research methodologies and the use of relevant tools (i.e. administering surveys and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data) is required.

Experience related to the management and administration of financial and human resources is required.

Experience working with the organizations in the United Nations system is desirable.

Experience in coordinating/cooperating/interacting with evaluation and inspection units of the United Nations system and with relevant professional bodies (UNEG, UNRIAS, UNRIS) is desirable.

At least five years of relevant experience in an international organization 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. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is also desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for four 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.

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.