Programme Specialist - P3
Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Manager of Peacekeeping Training Programme Unit (PTPU) within the Division of Peace, the Programme Specialist is responsible for the following duties (in compliance with the Institute’s relevant policies, guidelines, procedures, and processes):
- Coordinating UNITAR activities related to the topic area “Youth empowerment in post-conflict and fragile contexts” by:
- Coordinating the partnership with the African Union (AU) Office of the Special Envoy for Youth aimed at operationalising the AU Youth Charter as well as the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda on the African continent.
- Coordinating the partnership with the Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy for Youth with a specific focus on advancing youth-focused and youth-led diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- Coordinating the partnership with the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and the African Union as well as further partners in providing advanced entrepreneurship training to youth and women in the Lac Chad Basin Region
- Co-leading the further development of a Latin America portfolio, together with the UNITAR Division for Peace Recovery and Resilience Pillar, focused on youth-led conflict transformation, reconciliation and resilience.
- Participating in the meetings of and liaising with the members of the Global Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security (GCYPS)
- Coordinating the implementation of training programs (blended, online and face to face) on Youth, Peace and Security, Youth Empowerment as well as Youth Entrepreneurship.
- Establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships within the thematic working area of youth empowerment in post-conflict and fragile contexts;
- Coordinating the organization of public events, both online as well as in person.
- Consulting and coordinating with donors and partner institutions.
- Monitoring and analyzing project development and implementation.
- Preparing and reviewing relevant documents and reports.
- Identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions.
- Preparing and monitoring the projects budget.
- Ensuring follow-up activities.
- Ensuring follow-up activities.
- Coordinating UNITAR activities related to the topic area “Women empowerment in post-conflict and fragile contexts” by:
- Coordinating the partnership with the African Union (AU) Office of the Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, including the joint initiative: “Elevating the Women Peace and Security Agenda on the African continent to the next level” as well as the joint support to the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN)
- Coordinating the partnership with the Regional Training Facility of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (ICGLR-RTF) aimed at preventing, addressing and reporting of CRSV and SGBV crimes.
- Coordinating the partnership with women mediator’s networks, including the Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation (FemWise Africa).
- Coordinating the further development of a UNITAR Leadership Training Programme for emerging women leaders in the peace and security fields
- Coordinating the implementation of training programs (blended, online and face to face) on Women, Peace and Security, Women Empowerment as well as for Women Entrepreneurs.
- Establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships within the thematic working area of women’s empowerment in post-conflict and fragile contexts.
- Coordinating the organization of public events, both online as well as in person
- Consulting and coordinating with donors and partner institutions.
- Monitoring and analyzing project development and implementation.
- Preparing and reviewing relevant documents and reports.
- Identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions.
- Preparing and monitoring the projects budget.
- Ensuring follow-up activities.
- Identifying new project and funding opportunities for PTPU in the areas of peace and security, more specifically related to youth and women empowerment by:
- Identifying potential areas for further development and incubating new initiatives and methodologies with the goal of enhancing the diversity and effectiveness of the youth and women empowerment portfolio.
- Building and strengthening partnerships with international organizations, governments, research and training institutions, and NGOs working on such topics.
- Identifying possible sources of funding leading to conceptualization of new project concepts and project proposals.
- Support to Programme Manager by:
- Providing substantive support to the Programme Manager among others through preparation of documents, briefing points and presentations;
- Delivering training courses as requested;
- Preparing various written outputs as requested;
- Performing other duties as required.
- Performing other duties as required.
- Team members in the Peacekeeping Training Programme Unit.
- Officials in national governments and international organizations.
- Local organizations.
In the execution of the above tasks, the incumbent will supervise staff, fellows, consultants/individual contractors, experts and interns/trainees.
- Effective support provided to training activities and in other training-related events.
- Effective advice on the direction of Unit’s activities.
- Effective promotion of Unit’s products and services.
- Effective inputs in relevant areas.
- Effective support in funding efforts.
Professionalism: Good understanding of strategies, functions and organization of projects in the areas of youth and women empowerment in post-conflict and fragile contexts; good general knowledge of the organizational structure and respective roles of partner organizations in relation to the areas outlined above; good ability to communicate and develop fruitful cooperation with partners, donors and any other relevant stakeholder; ability to accurately prepare a range of outputs and reports including training project proposals and concept notes; good ability managing training projects, from the design to the implementation, monitoring and final reporting; good ability to prepare training projects budgets; demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence representing the Institution and in project coordination groups; 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Planning & Organising: Effective time management and ability to plan own work to meet designated deadlines. 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.
Communications: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Good computer skills; proficiency in using advanced functions on standard computer applications, e-mail and calendar functions, word processing, spreadsheets, Internet desktop publishing, slide preparation, and other software applications, etc.);
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
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 degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in international relations, peace research or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Language: Fluent English and Spanish; fluency in one or more official UN languages is desirable.
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.
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.
UNITAR DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). UNITAR DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Please submit your application along with a motive letter 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.