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. UN Environment’s Policy and Programme Division is responsible for the organization’s strategy, overseeing special initiatives, which includes environment and security work, and the organization’s performance review and monitoring. Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch (PCDMB) provides cutting-edge environmental science and expertise to countries affected by or vulnerable to conflicts and disasters. PCDMB employs 20 people in Geneva and all together 100 international staff, local staff, and consultants when including the UN Environment project offices in Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, and South Sudan, which are an integral part of the branch. PCDMB is also implementing long-term programmes in Côte d’Ivoire and in Nepal. The objective is to minimize threats to human well-being from the environmental causes and consequences of conflicts and disasters, and to re-orient crisis-affected countries towards more sustainable forms of development. This position is located in the Policy and Programme Division, PCDMB in Geneva. Under the guidance of the Division Director and the daily supervision of the Director, PCDMB, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

BUDGET AND FINANCE: • Take the lead with respect to the preparation and implementation of the work programme, ensuring that financial resources are utilized to implement activities in accordance with the Programme Budget and allotments issued. • Monitor and review the work programme and budget by conducting regular and special reviews to assess progress of actual work versus the programme plan. Coordinate the production of programme reports. • Define requirements and work with systems units with respect to improving budget reporting systems and cost effective utilization of program resources. • Develop procedures and implement the same to ensure that accounting and financial management controls are consistent with UN policy and practice. 
• Supervise and provide guidance on financial administration and management information issues and practices to colleagues. • Provide guidance and leadership to more junior staff.
• Certify funds and compliance of requests with United Nations Financial Rules and Regulations (UNFRR) HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: • Effectively coordinate actions relative to the administration of human resources activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures. • Define conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and privileges and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION: • Oversee work related to procurement, billing and receipt of income from various services, operational travel programme, procurement monitoring and evaluation of vendor contracts/payment to vendors and individual contractors for services. • Review adequacy of departmental space requirements. • Oversee the identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems, coordinating enhancements as necessary.
• Perform other related work as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM – Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures; Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations; Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis; Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations; 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. • 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

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public or business administration, human resources management, finance, accounting, law or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, accounting, human resources management or related field is required. Familiarity with the UN system and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is desirable. Experience gained in administration, budget and/or finance in the UN system is an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is a project post available for one year. Please note that extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

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.