Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The SWITCH Africa Green Project is being implemented by the UN Environment Africa Office, in coordination with other UN Environment divisions and partners. The Programme Assistant will provide support to the SWITCH Africa Green Project, which aims to support six African countries to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication through the transition to an inclusive green economy and a shift to sustainable consumption and production patterns. This position is located in the UN Environment Africa Office at the Nairobi Duty Station. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, Resource Efficiency Unit, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance in support of planning and implementation activities/processes for SWITCH Africa Green project. 

•Research, compile, analyze, summarize, and present basic information/data on specific programme/project and related topics.

•Assist in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation; monitor status of programme/project proposals; takes necessary action to ensure project documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval.

• Assist in the preparation and analysis of programme/project budget proposals; provide assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines; reviews and coordinates submissions of programme proposals and budget estimates, ensuring that requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; propose adjustments as necessary; prepares 
reports and ensures that outputs/services are properly categorized. 

•Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of programmes/projects; categorize, updates, track and analyses data related to programmes/projects, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions, etc.; carries out periodic status reviews, identifies issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions; prepares revised budget estimates; reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system; initiates financial authorizations for expenditures.

•Collaborate with programme/project managers on performance reporting; liaises with relevant parties on the interpretation of the activities/services scheduled in the programme Budget ( PB) and various planning instruments such as the medium-term plan and internal work plans; provide assistance on reporting equirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensures completeness and accuracy of data submitted.

• Provide support to other sustainable consumption and production and green economy related projects and activities in UN Environment Africa Office.

• Serve as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational unit to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve 
issues related to project implementation. 

• Prepare, maintain and update files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; design and generate a variety of periodic and adhoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews. 

• Draft correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme/project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports.

•Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to sustainable consumption and production, resource efficiency and green economy. Possess conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. 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

Completion of High School Education is required . Supplementary training in project management, natural sciences or related field is highly desirable. Must have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) or the Global General Service Test (GGST) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices away from Headquarters.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in project /programme management and administration is required . Experience in reporting, report drafting, organizing meetings is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both Oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is an added advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Mandatory for positions in the GS and related categories: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.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

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.