ASSOCIATE PROGRAMME OFFICER (GENEVA)
Duty station and Reporting:
This position is located in the UNEP Disaster Management Branch office in Geneva. The
Associate Programme Officer will report to the Chief, Disaster Management Branch.
S/He will be under the day-to-day supervision of the Programme Officer (Policy,
Planning, and Coordination).
Accountability:
Within delegated authority, the Associate Programme Officer will be responsible for the
following duties:
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Work with key partners and clients to facilitate the development, implementation
and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects within the Disaster management
Branch.; monitor and keep abreast with specific aspects of programme/project
development and implementation; study relevant documents and reports; identify
problems and issues to be addressed and suggest corrective actions; liaise with
relevant parties; identify and track follow-up action.
Carry out basic research on selected aspects of the Environmental Recovery
Programme (ERP), operations and other activities, to include collecting, synthesis
and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from a diversity of
sources.
Provide substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions of
the ERP, including the identification and presentation of emerging issues and
trends in the area of disaster management, participate in impact evaluation or
equivalent studies.
Assist in performing consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by
planning and facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and
assisting in developing the Action Plan the client will use.
Participate in survey initiatives; issue data collection tools, synthesis of responses,
identify problems/issues and prepare preliminary conclusions.
Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, including draft
background papers, discussion notes, sections of reports and studies, input to
publications.
Oversee the dissemination of all DMB/ERP publications, including coordinating
web-related options; management of feed-back.
Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences and
other forums to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing
participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling
logistics, etc.
Undertake outreach activities; participate in the development of training
workshops, seminars, etc., participate in and make presentations on assigned
topics/activities.
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Participate in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative
support, data collection, etc.
Provide support to activities related to work plans including programme/project
preparation and submissions, progress reports; coordinate UNEP internal
reporting activities including UNEP-Link, quarterly reports, annual reports and
others as may be required.
Perform other duties as required.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Counterparts in ERP/DMB/DEPI, senior officers and technical staff in various UNEP
Divisions, Branches, Programmes and Units; and in other UN Funds, Programmes and
other UN Specialised Agencies. This will specifically be through routine exchange of
information.
Representatives and officials in national governments, international organizations,
consultants as may be directed.
Results Expected:
Provision of valuable support in addressing issues and developments affecting
programme/project development, management and implementation. Provision of
thorough, well reasoned written contributions. Effective and timely liaison and
interaction with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally.
Competencies:
Professionalism – Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches
relevant to disaster management; experience in programme/project management and
implementation; good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to
identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; familiarity with and
experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic
sources, internet, intranet, and other databases; ability to apply good judgment in the
context of assignments given; ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
Commitment to continuous learning- Willingness to keep abreast with new
developments in the field.
Communication- Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability
to draft/edit a variety of written reports, studies and other communications; and to
articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.
Technology Awareness- Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software
and other applications e.g. word processing, graphics software, spreadsheets and other
statistical applications, internet, etc.
Teamwork- Good inter-personal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective
partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with
sensitivity for diversity, including gender balance.
Qualifications:
Education: An advanced University degree in Natural Resources Management,
Environmental Sciences, Social sciences, Economics, Engineering or other areas relevant
to disaster management, or equivalent combination of a first university degree and
experience.
Experience: No prior experience is required for this position.
Language: Fluency in oral and written English is essential; knowledge of a second UN
language will be an advantage.
Other Skills: Basic knowledge in programme/project management. Knowledge of tools
for research, evaluation and policy development. Knowledge of relevant institutional
mandates, policies, guidelines. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.