PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER, P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The Division contributes to the intergovernmental processes on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including those under the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum, with its substantive analytical work on thematic issues of the Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, please visit our website at https://sdgs.un.org/ The Programme Management Officer reports to the Senior Programme Management Officer and will support the programme activities of the Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Management Officer and the overall guidance of the Director, DSDG/DESA, the Programme Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. • Supports the Head of the Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals in the coordination of the Centre’s activities with the work of Headquarter-based entities including UN DESA, the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) and the Development Coordination Office (DCO); prepares annual work programme and budget, track implementation progress against performance indicators; leads, oversees and coordinates financial and human resources aspects in the preparation and implementation of the Centre’s programme of work and related budget; review and monitors budget consumptions against approved annual budget; prepares substantive and financial reports; implements resource mobilization plans; supports the recruitment and of staff including drafting of vacancy announcements; supports the reporting through the operational activities for development segment of the Economic and Social Council and supports the evaluation of the work of the Centre. • Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources. • Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. • Generates survey initiatives, designs data collection tools, reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions. • Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to programme and project management in the area of sustainable development.. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; 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; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, finance, administration or related area is required. Demonstrated experience in project implementation and oversight, including budget management, donor reporting, and partnership coordination is required. Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning system, such as SAP or any grants management system, is required. Experience in recruitment of staff and non-staff personnel is desirable. Work experience with the United Nations and/or similar international organization related to sustainable development programmes and initiatives at the international level is desirable. Experience in intergovernmental processes, including preparation of reports, programme and budget proposals, is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice The appointment against this position is limited to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. This post is financed with extra-budgetary resources for an initial period of one year. External candidates selected for this position will be subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (c) and 2.4 of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on the Administration of appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to availability of funds, budgetary approval and extension of the mandate. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.