DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP’s Corporate Services Division is the guardian of UNEP’s corporate interest, and oversees UNEP’s efficient and effective management, in line with UNEP's accountability requirements, rules, regulations and UN core values. It ensures strategic engagement across UNEP to ensure resource management, risk mitigation and capacity building, leads the implementation of UN management reforms and change management initiatives, supports the organization with management tools and plans, and stewards resource mobilization efforts with member states and strategies on private sector engagement. The post is located at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Strategic advice to the Executive Director in the management of UNEP resources, risks, people and culture. Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintaining high-quality standard, are risk informed and data driven data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the office/division under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. Supports the Executive Director in the development of dynamic strategies and systems to support the organization’s delivery of its mandate. Closely engage with Chief of Staff and other Executive Office members to create workplans and milestones that ensure delivery against various milestones and priorities that support continuous improvement, shifts in organizational culture, people management and other corporate matters. Formulates UNEP's overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the Under Secretary-General (USG), contributing to the overall management of the Office's activities and operations. Provides leadership on the development of the Programme of Work to ensure implementation of UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy with particular emphasis on Executive Management, Budget Formulation and the development of innovative and or/change management approaches. Catalyzes and steers management responses and systems to respond to new environmental instruments and Secretariats supported by UNEP such as INC Secretariat and Global Biodiversity Mechanisms as well as development of new organizational structures and offices. Manages the Delegation of Authority Framework in UNEP on behalf of the Executive Director. Exercising Quality Control at the organizational level in respect to projects, legal instruments and donor agreements and their compliance with applicable financial rules and regulations, including acting as focal point for audit and the implementation of measures that strengthen performance and financial management. 2. Direction and oversight of administrative functions including human, budget, and financial resources. Leads the Corporate Services Division to ensure quality, timeliness, advice in a range of areas whilst also ensuring coherence and appropriate synergies are achieved across the focus areas in administration, partnerships and resource mobilization and MEA admin aligned to the organizational imperatives and UN framework on management accountability. Oversees the management of UNEP's financial resources, including systems and safeguards for contribution management, financial reporting, and financial grant closure processes. Provide regular income projections and advice on related budget allocations. Serves as UNEP focal point within UN Secretariat to senior leaders in management including the Comptroller, ASG Human Resources and other senior leaders in finance, human resources, information and communication systems, procurement and legal affairs. Oversees the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget /programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates. Oversees all aspects of planning and strategic management of human resources for UNEP taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; fostering teamwork and communication among staff in the Office and across organizational boundaries. Oversees all aspects of operational and administrative support that enables enhanced programme delivery ensuring alignment with management reforms within the UN Secretariat including utilization of tools on enterprise risk management; strengthened programme delivery through engagement with UN and other partners, reporting, work force and facilities management, and business intelligence, information communication systems and cyber security. Oversees reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget /programme preparation and performance or on programmatic / substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. Ensures Leadership, Direction and Standard Setting across Administrative cadre across UNEP and support capacity building and networking to support effective risk management approaches within a decentralized architecture of the organization. Provides oversight of UN joint programmes and provides advice on UNEP's relationship with the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and other partners. Oversees UNEP's information technology requirements and coordinates the knowledge management and training requirements and activities. 3. Leadership and Coordination on Resource Mobilization and Partnership Engagement within UNEP Leads engagement with member states on development and implementation of resource mobilization strategy which includes the stewardship of new resource mobilization instruments through high level dialogue and reporting mechanisms. Leads donor consultation work planning to support the Executive Director’s Office and other members of UNEP’s senior management in its engagement with major partners; represent the Executive and Deputy Executive Director when required. Oversees UNEP’s engagement with private sector including philanthropist including development of policy that align with environmental standards and principles and appropriate reporting to member states and UNEP governing bodies. Supports the Executive Director on engagement with major non-governmental forums and platforms including UN Global Compact, World Economic Forum, Science Policy Business Platforms. 4. Leadership and engagement within UN system on UN managerial reforms including participation in committees and reporting to regulatory bodies Coordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy making organs, as appropriate. Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic /substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. Advises on effective implementation modalities for UNEP’s programmes and projects. Coordinating work in the different areas both within the Office, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate. Represents the Executive Director on the High-Level Committee on Management and other committees as required. 5. Performs other related duties as requested by the Executive Director of UNEP.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrates high-level managerial and programmatic competence, including negotiating skills in inter-governmental fora and in the UN System. 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. 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. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours 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. VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in social sciences, public business administration and management is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

More than fifteen years (15) of relevant and progressively responsible experience, with ten (10) years within a senior management position in a national/ international organization with project financing, budgeting, human resources, audit and management is required. Successful leadership experience in engagement with intergovernmental and advisory bodies is required. Demonstrated experience in leadership of a geographically diverse teams of staff working across operational areas including budget preparation, administration service delivery and risk management is required. Demonstrated experience in the engagement with financing mechanisms, private and philanthropic sectors for partnership engagement is desired.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. 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. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff at the D2 level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Sept 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira Contact Us" 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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.