Vacancy announcement
Geneva, Switzerland
F/ASSO/2022/001

Training Associate - Training & Capacity Development, Project Management

Vacancy type Training/Research Assistant/Associate
Duration of the contract
12 months
Deadline for submission of applications
03 March 2022
Organizational Unit
United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) Programme Unit
Remuneration
CHF 6,006 - CHF 7,645
Number of job positions
1
Background:

The United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) is a technology-intensive programme active since 2001 in applied research and innovative applications relating to geospatial information technology and satellite analysis, and mapping.

UNOSAT delivers to beneficiaries tailor made training courses on the use of geo-information technology for humanitarian aid, human security, disaster risk management, climate change resilience, territorial planning and environmental preservation

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of Programme Senior Specialist in charge of Business Exploration, Strategic Planning and Coordination Section, the incumbent shall:

  • Perform, under minimal supervision, the full range of office management and administrative functions by:
    • Attending meetings, preparing minutes, and monitoring follow-up activities;
    • Implementing protocol and logistics during visits to UNOSAT office;
    • Proofreading documents and editing texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style, and adhering to established formatting standards;
    • Organizing events by contacting participants, preparing related communication materials, storing required materials, updating the event management system, taking notes, etc;
    • Facilitating internal knowledge sharing across UNOSAT and UNITAR by attending and contributing to learning sessions, information sessions and brownbag lunches.
  • Support project planning and delivery by:
    • Preparing documents related to proposals for funding to contribute to resource mobilization;
    • Preparing and participating in regular meetings for work planning and progress reporting with project partners,
    • Preparing activity reports for selected projects;
    • Generating a variety of standard statistical and other reports using relevant databases;
    • Maintaining administrative files (both paper and electronic) and databases for projects;
    • Developing capacity development project activities by notably conducting surveys on training needs, entering data into EMS, collecting statistics, preparing and extracting evaluation data, supporting logistics;
    • Taking the lead of overall stakeholder coordination activities and updating the list and contacts on a regular basis;
    • Supporting project monitoring and evaluation and keeping track of lessons-learned in implementing RBM and gender-responsive approach;
    • Conducting research on new and emerging areas of EO data application for sustainable development to support Programme’s business exploration;
    • Collecting inputs of various team members to projects activity report on permanent basis and finalise the report according to set deadlines;
  • Support Programme outreach and communication by:
    • Preparing communication content for social media posting;
    • Drafting web-news stories regularly and ensure they are validated, posted and properly disseminated;
    • Updating and maintaining UNOSAT distribution lists; monitor, prepare and distribute various materials, reports, where possible using electronic formats; arrange for printing and translation as necessary, etc.
    • Liaising with project partners and attending meetings with UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and other relevant national and regional stakeholders as requested;
    • Drafting and reviewing outreach materials to communicate the project progress and impact to a broader audience;
    • Assisting the UNOSAT’s outreach events at the international fora by preparing concept notes, arranging logistics, drafting presentation slides, coordinating communication materials, and ensuring follow-up activities. 
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Measurable Outputs/Deliverables/Schedule of Deliverables:
  • Databases are continuously updated;
  • Programme visibility is increased;
  • Capacity development activities are carried out according to schedule;
  • Gender considerations are consistent with UNITAR policy and integrated into activities
  • Events and visits are well organized;
  • Timely preparation and submission of project’s work plans, deliverables and reports;
Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results:
  • Number of contributions to communication activities and feedback regarding these;
  • All required project reporting documents and deliverables are properly formatted, proofread and submitted according to agreed workplan;
  • UNOSAT events are delivered in accordance with the Quality Assurance Framework.
  • Project stakeholders are kept informed as appropriate throughout project period.
Competencies:
  • Professionalism: Knowledge of procurement and administration. Knowledge of social media use relevant to the Programme. Ability to independently write reports and follow up on project work-plan. 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.
  • 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
  • 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.
  • Planning & Organizing:  Develops clear goals that are consistent with received tasks, communicates needs for adjusting priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; uses time efficiently.
  • 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; takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
  • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve services and expert reports; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
  • 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.
  • Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
  • 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.
Minimum requirements

Education - Advanced University degree (Master or equivalent) in public administration, international relations, law, development studies or other related field

Experience - A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in project management and/or training and capacity development, preferably in an International Organization.

Languages - Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an advantage.

Remarks:

Depending on the professional background and experience, the range of remuneration is CHF 6,006 to CHF 7,645 per month. The benefit package includes six weeks of annual leave. It does not include pension and health insurance contribution. Please note that this vacancy is located in Geneva and is a locally recruited position with no international benefits. This is not a regular post but a type of contract specific to UNITAR.

 

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:

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.

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.