Programme Management Assistant

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch (ITDCB) in the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Branch provides policy and capacity building support on international tax cooperation; serves as secretariat to the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters (the “Committee”) and to the Development Cooperation Forum (DCF); and coordinates FSDO capacity development programme in support of country efforts to mobilize and manage financing for development and other means of implementation, including through effective infrastructure asset management, to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Sustainable Development. The incumbent reports to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer of the International Tax and Development Cooperation. More information can be found at: https://financing.desa.un.org/. ResponsibilitiesUnder the supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer in ITDCB, FSDO, the Programme Management Assistant will provide support to the Branch work programme, with emphasis on issues related to domestic resource mobilization and infrastructure asset management aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. This will include the following duties: • Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/project and initiatives of the Branch, particularly as it relates to the implementation of the capacity development project “Localizing the SDGs through more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure” funded by the UN Peace and Development Fund. • Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation; monitors status of programme/project proposals; takes necessary action to ensure project documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval. • Assists in the preparation and analysis of programme/project budget proposals; provides assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines; reviews and coordinates submissions of programme proposals and budget estimates, ensuring that requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; propose adjustments as necessary; prepares reports and ensures that outputs/services are properly categorized. • Arranges travel for workshops, field missions and related meetings. Prepares, processes and follows-up on administrative arrangements and forms related to the official travel of staff. • Assists in the monitoring and evaluation of programmes/projects; categorizes, updates, tracks and analyses data related to programmes/projects, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions, etc.; carries out periodic status reviews, identifies issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions; prepares revised budget estimates; reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system; initiates financial authorizations for expenditures. • Collaborates with programme/project managers on performance reporting; liaises with relevant parties on the interpretation of the activities/services scheduled in the PB and various planning instruments such as the medium-term plan and internal work plans; provides assistance on reporting requirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensures completeness and accuracy of data submitted. • Drafts programme/project summaries, coordinates review and clearance process, and coordinates with editor, translation services, etc. on finalization and publication of report multiple languages. • Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organisational units to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to project implementation, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, organisation of and participation in training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc. • Prepares, maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews. • Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme/project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports. • Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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 perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. • 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 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. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required. Experience in supporting capacity development programmes and projects is required. Experience with multi-donor extra budgetary programmes/projects is required. Experience in the UN system or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in applying organization’s recruitment policies and procedures and using integrated information management systems is desirable. Experience in Source to Acquire and Accounts Payables modules of an ERP system (such as SAP, Umoja or similar) is desirable. Experience in processing travel is desirable. LanguagesEnglish 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).