INTERNATIONAL VACANCY AT UNOPS, FRIDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2010
FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT=" UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:
VACANCY DETAILS
VACANCY CODE VA /2010/02/NAO/MAU/SOM/PA
POST TITLE ASSOCIATE PROGRAM OFFICER
POST LEVEL LICA-5*
PROJECT TITLE SOMALIA MINE ACTION
ORG UNIT NAO/MAC
DUTY STATION NAIROBI, KENYA
DURATION 6 MONTHS (WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION)
CLOSING DATE 10 MARCH 2010
BACKGROUND
The UN Somalia Mine Action Programme has been managed by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) with implementation by UNOPS since early 2009. Somalia Mine Action supports mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) clearance activities, awareness programming, contamination survey and coordinaton for mine action activities throughout Somalia. Somalia Mine Action works closely with other UN Agencies, local communities and humanitarian and development actors to ensure a sustainable and effective response to explosive contamination in Somalia, with priority on improving the lives of people living in affected communities, and ensuring national capacity development for a long term solution to the problem. The programme has an office in Nairobi to provide managerial and support functions for the Regional Offices in Somalia.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Programme Officer (PO), and working with UNMAS, UNOPS, EMSA, UNSOMA and the various UN and International counterparts, specifically the national mine action and ERW institutions, the Programme Associate is responsible for the following:
Reporting:
• Prepare periodic substantive reports for UNMAS, UNOPS, and the national authorities under the supervision of the PO.
• Prepare monthly summaries on the Programme achievements and progress in implementation of activities as requested by the PO.
• Assist PO in preparation of periodic progress/substantive reports for donors on their contributions to the Programme.
• Draft any other reports as directed by PO or Programme Manager (PM) as required.
• Liaise with Coordination and Liaison Associate to ensure that programmatic documents are archived and distributed as required.
• Collect information, updates and human interest stories for the monthly newsletter, and draft
components under the supervision of the PO.
Administration:
• Provide administrative and logistics support to all mine action initiatives and projects.
• Assist the AFL section in preparation of projects in Atlas, prepare budgets and budget revision, revise project awards and project status, determine unutilized funds, operational and financial closure of projects.
• Assist the AFL section in review of financial reports from partners and sub-contractors.
Public Relations:
• Under the supervision of the PO, draft, edit, review and issue the monthly newsletter and develop strategy for wider distribution.
• Assist PO in any other public relations/donor related matters.
Grant/Contract Management (until a PSO is recruited):
• Assist PO in maintaining good contacts with implementing partners in the region.
• Assist with monitoring of contractors’ progress toward objectives for donor accountability.
Other:
• Provide backstop support to other staff members within the Programme section.
• Assist in maintenance of good documentation of decisions or actions taken on programme issues;
• Assist in any other duties a required by supervisor.
REQUIRED SELECTION CRITERIA
COMPETENCIES
• Planning & Organizing – Ability to manage, organize, plan and implement work assignments, manage competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.
• Judgment – Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills.
• Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Communications – Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• Problem solving –Strong analytical and problem solving skills and ability to handle a range of management, coordination and technical issues.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field of mine action techniques and technologies.
• Professionalism – Professionalism: sound knowledge of, and exposure to, a range of mine action issues, including related political, social and economic dimensions
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/LANGUAGE
• University degree preferably in political science, international relations, public administration, economics or other disciplines related to programme management. Masters degree preferrable.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in project management and administrative duties, with national and/or international organizations.
• Experience in humanitarian affairs is an asset.
• Understanding of UN mine action programmes, policies, and coordination mechanisms. Mine
Action Information Management Policy and The Gender Guidelines for Mine Action
Programmes is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the UN system is an asset including, but not limited to:
o familiarity with UN/UNOPS practices, policies and procedures
o UNMAS policies and strategies
• Experience in working as Programme staff, External Relations/Public Information dept. or Desk Officers of the United Nations system, of donors or NGOs is highly desirable.
LANGUAGE
• Excellent spoken and written English is essential.
• Excellent spoken and written French is desirable.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Experience in the region is advantageous. Knowledge and experience in Somalia is desirable.
• The ability to operate in a multi-national environment and in a foreign country.
• Flexible and adaptable to work under pressure and overtime hours.
• Physically fit.
• Computer literacy essential.
• Willingness to travel to Somalia.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), to Tammy Orr, via e-mail to somaliamineaction@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
* Please note that this is a local post and is open to all nationals of the country of the duty station and to individuals who have a valid work permit.
For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.
