Programme Specialist

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Number of job positions: 1

Accountabilities:

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Manager, Peacekeeping Training Programme Unit (PTPU), Division for Peace, the Programme Specialist is responsible for the following duties (in compliance with the Institute’s relevant policies, guidelines, procedures and processes):

Contributing to activities of PTPU in the areas of learning solutions, methodological support and quality assurance by:

• Conducting the work of the methodological support within PTPU, including the design, development, and implementation of projects, activities, and initiatives;
• Substantially supporting the coordination of the Learning Solutions team of learning experts within PTPU and external rosters of trainers and learning experts to support the implementation of activities throughout PTPU;
• Substantially contributing to project conceptualization and implementation of training and capacity building activities in the thematic areas of PTPU;
• Preparing and substantially contributing to implementing advanced quality assurance frameworks within the PTPU in accordance with the UNITAR Quality Assurance Framework and the creation of Quality Assurance tools and guidance documents;
• Substantially contributing to the creation of PTPU standards for Training of Trainers as well as supporting UNITAR in becoming a world leading institution of offering high quality Training of Trainers through constant improvement and the integration of new learning methodologies and approaches;
• Providing methodological support to mainstream gender and inclusivity throughout PTPU’s training activities, as well as enhancing the capacities of the PTPU personnel to be able to mainstream gender and inclusivity within their respective projects;
• Onboarding, coaching and mentoring learning experts, instructional designers and trainers to be able to deliver high quality services in alignment with UNITAR quality standards, as well as harnessing their skills and expertise to contribute to UNITAR’s long term growth and effectiveness;
• Reviewing relevant documents and reports, including project proposals, concept notes, and budgets;
• Contributing to the improved usability and functionality of PTPU’s online architecture including advising on improvement of the Learning Management System, Event Management System and website;
• Contributing, representing PTPU, to the UNITAR Quality Assurance Committee and its deliverables as well as liaising with other learning focal points to share best practices and improve the quality of services;
• Designing series of capacity-building tools to support the PTPU’s training activities in its different thematic areas. The tools include training, coaching and mentoring models;
• Identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiating corrective actions.

Supporting the Manager by:

• Providing substantive support through preparation of reports, documents and presentations;
• Facilitating meetings and workshops as requested;
• Delivering face-to-face and online trainings as requested;
• Preparing various written outputs as requested.

Work implies frequent interaction with:

• The Manager, PTPU and Director of the Division for Peace;
• Colleagues in PTPU who coordinate projects’ activities;
• Team members in PTPU and Division for Peace;
• The UNITAR Quality Assurance Committee;
• Relevant external partners institutions in the project conceptualization and implementation phases of projects.

In the execution of the above tasks, the incumbent will supervise staff, fellows, consultants/individual contractors, experts, and interns/trainees.

Expected Outcomes:

• Effective support provided to training activities and in other training-related events;
• Effective advice on the direction of Unit’s learning-related activities;
• Effective coordination of the Learning Solutions team of learning experts;
• Effective promotion of Unit’s products and services.

Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competences in the area of capacity building methodological support and quality assurance, shows pride in work and in achievements, 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 and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning & Organizing: Develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, identify priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresee 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 honors 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.

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 the audience, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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.

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.

Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds, treats all people with dignity and respect, treats men and women equally, shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making, examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses, does not discriminate against any individual or group.

Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management in international affairs, peacebuilding and training development; experience with the UN Secretariat, UN Common System or other international organization is desirable.

Education: Advanced university (Master’s degree) in international relations, management, Law or related fields from an accredited academic institution or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Language: Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of a second official UN Language is an advantage.

Special notice:

UNITAR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

English and French are the two working languages of UNITAR. Priority will be given to the applicants from the under-represented regions at UNITAR. There will be a probation period of 3 months.

UNITAR staff members are subject to the authority of the UNITAR Executive Director and their appointments are limited to service with the Institute.

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.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. UNITAR is a non-smoking environment.

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 Staff Regulations and Rules and UNITAR administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications 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.

No fee:

How to apply:

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Due to high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.