Senior Programme Specialist - P4

Duration of the contract: 1 year (renewable)
Deadline for submission of applications: 25 November 2023
Organizational Unit: Peacekeeping Training Programme Unit (PTPU)
Number of job positions: 1

Accountabilities:

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Manager, PTPU, Division for peace, the Senior Programme Specialist is responsible for the following duties (in compliance with the Institute relevant policies, guidelines, procedures and processes):

Coordinating UNITAR activities related to the topic area: “Online Learning and Education” (OLE) by:

• Formulate, coordinate, and oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on the activities of the education and online learning projects with a view to foster coherence and alignment with the overall strategic framework of UNITAR;
• Develop and explore partnerships with potential, including non-traditional, donors, seeking to encourage their commitment and support to UNITAR programmes and initiatives in the field of online Learning and Education;
• Ensure that the education activities are coordinated across UNITAR and with the UN System, governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector, media, etc.;
• Handles academic related tasks as they emerge or are assigned by the supervisor;
• Assess training needs, designing, organizing and delivering learning interventions in collaboration with academic partners;
• Provide academic strategies in line with the programme's long-term plan and implement the strategy within the Unit;
• Manage and oversee the performance of the staff of the Online Learning and Education Section;
• Participate in external marketing, open days, public relations, and relationship building with academic partners with the view of increasing the Programme's visibility and harnessing new partnerships;
• Coordinate the development of outreach material / organization of outreach events;
• Identify potential areas for further development at the Programme level and incubate new initiatives and methodologies with the goal to enhance the diversity and effectiveness of the programme’s Education and Learning portfolio;
• Oversee the implementation of the latest technologies and methodologies across the Programme and ensure that learning materials and reports meet established quality standards.

Support to the Programme Manager by:

• Provide substantive support to the Programme Manager among others through the preparation of documents, briefing points, and presentations;
• Deliver training courses as requested;
• Provide various written outputs as requested.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following / Supervision:

• Team members in the Peacekeeping Training Programme Unit;
• Partner’s Universities’ officials specific to academic and quality assurance management;
• Other relevant Officials in Member’s States governments and Local and international humanitarian organizations.

In the execution of the above tasks, the incumbent may supervise junior professionals, consultants, experts, and interns.

Expected Results:

• Effective coordination and implementation of education learning activities;
• Effective strategic and technical contribution provided to the programme;
• Effective advice provided on the identification of relevant synergies and funding opportunities;
• Effective support provided in advocating and disseminating the programme’s products and services;
• Relevant inputs provided in the different areas of work of the programme and successful representation of the Programme at different OLE events / meetings including at UN Secretariat.

Professionalism: Expert knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches in the areas of Online Learning and Education (OLE), Higher Education institutions, Project management, ability to formulate new strategies and manage projects in the above subjects. Strong research, analytical skills, and ability to analyse and integrate diverse information, up-to-date knowledge of contemporary topics and issues in the broad field humanitarian operations. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, effective time management and ability to plan own work and the pillar’s work to meet designed deadlines. Sound skills and ability to identify priority activities and assignments and supervise colleagues; and ability to adjust 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. Advanced ability to work under pressure with frequent and tight deadlines. High level of judgment and discretion in accomplishing the job. Uses time efficiently.

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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing other’s 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. Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats persons of any gender 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.

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.

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.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible, including management experience, in project or programme management in international affairs, peacebuilding and training development. Experience with higher education institutions is desirable. Experience with the UN Secretariat, UN Common System or other international organization is desirable as well.

Education: Master Degree or equivalent university degree in International Relations, Political Science, Teaching and Pedagogy, Peace and Security, or in a related field with an award/degree from an academic institution.

Languages: Fluency in English; 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. 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. 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: