PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the respective office of the Secretary-General. UNON supports programme implementation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN- Habitat) and Resident Coordinators System globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services (www.unon.org) The post is located in the Business Continuity and Resilience Unit, Office of the Director, Division of Administrative Services. Under the direct supervision of the Director, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties. Responsibilities1. Assisting UNON managers in evaluating, strengthening and implementing their Business Continuity Plans (BCP) by: • Monitoring and analyzing new developments and/or new information related to risk management in collaboration with relevant members of safety and security, IT, and other operational units at UNON and ensure timely updates to BCP to address evolving threats; • Elaborating and facilitating functional tests and exercises to validate and/or modify technical options identified in the plan, preparing related reports and initiating corrective actions in collaboration with the relevant operational units; • Coordinating policy development on issues related to the practical implementation of BCP operations and providing strategic recommendations to UNON Senior Management to enhance organizational resilience; • Coordinating the production of guidelines and information tools for references of all categories of staff, critical staff and managers and organizing dissemination and posting through the usual UN channels; • Developing and conducting BCP training workshops; • Support the Crisis Management Team (CMT); • Managing BCP emergency stocks ensuring readiness for operational disruptions; • Performing activities related to budget funding, programme preparation and submissions, progress reports and preparing documentation for audits. 2. Coordinating the implementation of Organizational Resilience Management System (ORMS) by: • Providing information and guidance on ORMS framework and on BCP planning to emergency and BCP focal points of UN agencies based in Nairobi. • Coordinating planning efforts with Security and Safety Services and other UNON emergency or crisis responders to reduce potential gaps or overlaps between plans and enhance continuum of preparedness under ORMS. • Coordinating simulation exercises to test crisis management framework and improve crisis management procedures and BCP scenarios; • Reviewing and maintaining ORMS documents and tools as reference for Crisis Management Team (CMT) during crisis; • Assisting UNON services in developing or reviewing area specific crisis contingency plans when relevant/necessary; • Integrating and/or adapting new UNHQ policies/standards as relevant and according to local circumstances; • Providing expertise and support to UNON management, as required when a business disruption occurs and triggers BCP invocation; • Managing audit response and compliance guidance and training, facilitating implementation of the ORMS and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in UNON in line with UN frameworks. 3. Acting as focal point for UNON Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), and as a focal point for Warden System: • Leading and coordinating annual evaluations, aligned to senior management priorities; • Maintaining and coordinating UNON risk registers in Umoja module; • Representing UNON as necessary in Secretariat activities and events on ERM; • Providing expert guidance to UNON services in identifying and documenting all levels of risk; • Provide support to the UNON Warden System and act as focal point for managing and updating staff movement data; • Manage the appointment, training and oversight of UNON Wardens; • Liaise as required with DSS, Office of the Director-General and other stakeholders. 4. Acting as internal evaluation focal point: • Leading the development and implementation of UNON evaluation work plan, including the monitoring of delivery timelines; and recording progress on the work plan and evaluation tracker tool; • Coordinating the planning, design (Terms of Reference), management, roll out, reporting and ensuring follow-up of internal evaluations in accordance with UNON evaluation policy, ensuring compliance with UN evaluation Administrative Instructions and guidelines; • Managing consultants and facilitating induction to UNON organization, sub-programmes and stakeholders; • Providing guidance and assistance with documentation to stakeholders throughout the evaluation process as appropriate; • Ensuring the tracking of recommendations and of management response and action plans, and that these are incorporated in programme planning and budget plans. 5. Provide supervision to the Administrative Assistant supporting the unit. 6. Performing other duties as may be assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of Business Continuity Planning (BCP), Organizational Resilience Management System (ORMS), and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) theories, concepts, and approaches. Ability to monitor and analyse new developments related to risk management, collaborating with Security, Information and Communication Technology, and other related operational units to ensure timely updates to business continuity planning and address evolving threats. Ability to coordinate policy development for the practical implementation of operations, providing strategic recommendations to enhance organizational resilience. Ability to coordinate planning efforts with Security and Safety services and other emergency responders to reduce potential gaps or overlaps, ensuring a continuous preparedness framework under ORMS and representation in ERM and internal evaluation matters. Ability to apply sound judgment in the context of assigned tasks, plan work independently and manage conflicting priorities effectively. 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. Tailor language, tone, style and format to match audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates. Provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, programme management, disaster management or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in the area of crisis, risk, disaster and organizational resilience management as well as experience in the development and implementation of business continuity plans in international organizations is required. Experience in emergency preparedness and response, crisis communication and support in the United Nations system or other multinational entity is required. 3-5 years of experience in evaluation or a related area, preferably within the UN or a similar international organization is desirable. Knowledge of UN evaluation policies and related procedures is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required and knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: \"Fluency equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and \" Knowledge of\" equals a rating of \" confident\" in two of the four areas. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview. Special NoticeAppointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and any extension will be subject to availability of funds. The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 December 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United States of America. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Need Help?\" link. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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 “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. The term “sexual harassment” 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 perpetrator’s 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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 FeeTHE 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.