Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (OASG) of the United Nations Global Compact Office (UNGCO) at Headquarters in New York.
The United Nations Global Compact is the United Nations' voluntary corporate sustainability initiative in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. It revolves around ten universal principles drawn from four key international instruments in these areas. The Global Compact Office is the United Nations entity responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Global Compact initiative. It pursues two complementary objectives: (1) making the Global Compact and its principles part of business strategy and operations everywhere; and (2) facilitating cooperation among key stakeholders by promoting partnerships and collective action in support of the United Nations (UN), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Programme Officer (Special Assistant to the ASG) reports to the Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Global Compact Office and works closely with the Senior Programme Officer (Governance and Sustainability). Responsibilities
Within limits of delegated authority, the Programme Officer (Special Assistant to the ASG) will be responsible for the following duties:
โข Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned special projects in relation to corporate sustainability and the United Nations Global Compact Office. Monitors and analyzes project implementation. Reviews relevant documents and reports on behalf of the Assistant Secretary-General; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions. Liaises with relevant colleagues across the Office and around the world; identifies and tracks follow-up actions to make the best use of the Assistant Secretary-Generalโs time.
โข Researches, analyzes and presents information to the Assistant Secretary-General gathered from diverse sources with respect to the implementation of the Global Compactโs mandate.
โข Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends related to corporate sustainability and the role of business in contributing to sustainable development. Supports various research activities as requested by the Assistant Secretary-General.
โข Keeps the Assistant Secretary-General informed of all matters requiring his/her personal attention, assists in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensures appropriate follow up.
โข Prepares various written outputs including written summaries of the Assistant Secretary-Generalโs meetings, minutes of Executive Management Team meetings, as well as drafting of trip reports. Coordinates and drafts correspondence for the ASGโs signature. Drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies and provides inputs to publications.
โข Provides substantive and organizational support for the Assistant Secretary-Generalโs meetings, conferences, and official Missions. This includes proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparing briefing documents, talking points and presentations.
โข Supervises General Service staff working on the Global Compact Officeโs administrative and operational matters and providing administrative support for the Assistant Secretary-General.
โข Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
โข Participates in or leads missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
โข Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
โข Performs other duties as requested by the Assistant Secretary-General. Competencies
โข Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches related to corporate sustainability, business leadership, and 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.
โข 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.
โข 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 (Masterโs degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
A minimum of two years of experience providing support to a senior official on a wide range of tasks is required.
Experience working in a fast-paced environment handling multiple work streams is required.
Experience collaborating with the private sector to promote corporate sustainability is desirable. Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable. Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special Notice
This is an extrabudgetary funded position. The appointment or assignment and renewal therefore are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.
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.
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.
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.
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 โsexual exploitationโ 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 โsexual abuseโ means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term โsexual harassmentโ 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 perpetratorโs 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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on โManualsโ hyper-link on the upper right side 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 APPLICANTSโ BANK ACCOUNTS.