VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Title:
Unit/Department:
Type of contract:
Deadline for applications:
Date of issuance:
Specialist – P3
Decentralized Cooperation Programme,
Training Department
Fixed-term
18 December 2013
17 January 2014
Duty Station:
Geneva, Switzerland
Remuneration: In accordance with the UN rules and regulations
Accountabilities: Under the supervision of the Manager, Decentralized
Cooperation Programme (DCP), the incumbent is responsible for the following
duties:
1. Coordinate and support the CIFAL Global Network (10 Centres
covering the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Europe), by:
 Acting as the focal point for the CIFAL Global Network and its related
activities;
 Providing substantive inputs and support to the development of
training activities of the CIFAL Network;
 Improving the quality of the overall capacity-building and training
activities and the overall training approach used to be more in line
with certification requirements;
 Participating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of
training activities and workshops (support the Centres in the
preparatory work, draft agenda, relevant documents on specific
topics/activities; identify resource persons, identify potential
participants, develop curricula);
 Maintaining close communication with each CIFAL Director and staff
via monthly conference calls and daily communication as needed;
 Monitoring the implementation of the UNITAR guidelines by each
CIFAL Centre;
 Providing coaching to CIFAL staff to implement the UNITAR Quality
Assurance (QA) Framework and the Monitoring and Evaluation
(M&E) Framework;
 Organising the annual CIFAL Steering Committee Meeting;
 Developing publications, papers on themes related to the work of the
Network;
In order to:
Postal Address: UNITAR - Palais des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 10 - Switzerland
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T +41 22 917 8400 F +41 22 917 8047 www.unitar.org
Institut des Nations Unies pour la formation et la recherche
Instituto de las Naciones Unidas para Formación Profesional e Investigaciones
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Achieve an efficient implemention of CIFAL guidelines and ensure a
more integrated and sustainable network.
Reinforce the positionning of the CIFALs as training centers of
excellence that provide high quality services to its constituencies.
2. Oversee and support Antwerp-ITCCO (International Training
Centre for Corporate Opportunities), by:
 Monitoring UNITAR’s affiliated training center in Antwerp ITCCO - the
International Training Center for Corporate Opportunities, and
ensure compliance with UNITAR guidelines for its affiliated training
center;
 Liaising with relevant partner organizations for ITCCO to maintain
effective ongoing relations with donors and key stakeholders;
 Providing support to ITCCO training activities as needed;
3. Participate in the development of marketing and branding tools
for the CIFAL Network, by:
 Contributing to the development of a marketing and communication
strategy for the CIFAL Global Network in accordance with UNITAR
and the CIFALs branding guidelines and in the framework of the
Institute’s 50th anniversary;
 Organising other activities to strengthen the CIFAL network based on
available resources;
 Promoting the participation of CIFAL Centres in major international
events;
 Developing an on line library or repository to share relevant
documents and materials;
 Promoting CIFALs training sessions/ workshops and other activities
at DCPs webpage and UNITAR’s overall website;
 In order to:
 Increase visibility of the CIFAL Network and DCP.
 Strengthen the image and the branding of the programme at
international level.
 Ensure that the CIFAL network is functional and adds value to the
programme.
4. Initiate the establishment of new CIFALs, by:
 Identifying and contacting potential partners and promoting the
added value of the CIFAL platform;
 Daily follow-up of the negotiation process for the implementation of
the CIFAL Guidelines with the selected partners;
 Preparing and agreeing the partnership agreement(s) and draft
plan(s) of activities for the CIFAL;
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In order to:
 Create new hubs for capacity building and knowledge sharing for
local actors.
 Ensure more balanced geographic coverage of the CIFAL Network.
5. Contribute to develop
partnerships and participate in
networking and fundraising activities for DCP, by:
 Managing the relationship DCP’s strategic partners and providing
them with regular information on DCP achievements;
 Establishing and maintain good relationships with associations of
local and national governments in order to assess the training needs
and to mobilize participants and experts for workshops and
conferences;
 Liaising and partnering with relevant parties both outside (NGO’s,
research institutes, academia, other international organizations,
associations of local authorities, private sector) and inside UNITAR;
 Drafting proposals to potential donors (governments, companies,
international organizations) and participating to the mobilization of
additional funding for the programme;
 Participating in relevant conferences and workshops representing
UNITAR;
In order to:
 Maintain and sustain the partnerships in the long run.
 Build up new partnerships with relevant organizations (NGOs,
research institutes, academia. Other international organizations,
associations of local authorities, private sector).
 Contribute to increase the financial sustainability of the Programme.
6. Coordinate capacity-building projects for DCP, by:
 Researching target audience needs and capacity;
 Designing, Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating capacitybuilding and training projects (e.g. e-Learning, face-to-face, or
blended learning);
 Developing the training projects agenda and content;
 Drafting budgets for training projects and monitoring the
expenditure of funds to ensure efficiency in project resource
management;
 Mobilizing partners for training projects;
7. Perform other duties as assigned.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
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The directors and the staff of CIFAL Atlanta, Curitiba, Merida, Jeju,
Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Plock and Scotland, Ouagadougou, and
new CIFALs as appropriate;
The general manager of the Antwerp-ITCCO;
Counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in related
organizational units across the institution, and other UN programmes
and agencies;
Non-governmental organizations and other areas of civil society;
Representatives and officials in national governments, international
organizations, universities, private sector; regional associations of
local authorities.
Results Expected: enhanced coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the
CIFAL Global Network, provision of thorough, well reasoned written
contributions, e.g., background papers, analysis, sections of reports and
studies, inputs to publications etc; building/facilitation of strategic contacts
and partnerships; maintenance of effective working relationships;
promulgation of coherent policies, and ensuring the consistent adherence to
these by clients; efficient use of resources; effective interaction with
colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally.
Competencies:
 Professionalism – Knowledge and understanding of decentralization
and local government issues; Practical experience in programme/project
management and administration; good research, analytical and
problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the
resolution of issues/problems; familiarity with the use of various
research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the
internet, intranet and other databases;
 Planning & Organizing – Sound organizational skills and ability to
prioritize own work programme, work under pressure.
 Commitment to continuous learning – Willingness to keep abreast
of new developments in the field.
 Communications – 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
software and other applications, e.g. word processing, graphics
software, spreadsheets and other statistical applications, internet, etc.
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Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and
maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural,
multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Qualifications:
Education:
Advanced
university
degree
in
economics,
public
policy/administration, urban studies, or equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional
experience in social and economic development related areas, programme
management, policy analysis, international affairs or related fields. Experience
in managing a training facility is a plus. Proven record in fundraising activities
is required. Experience in partnership development and in working with private
sector associations is a must. Experience with training of government officials
is needed. Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies is required.
Language: Fluency in oral and written English and French; knowledge of
Spanish or another official UN language an advantage.
Other skills: Experience in research, evaluation and policy development.
Working experience in developing countries.
UNITAR shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations Chapter 3, article 8).
English and French are the two working
languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Priority will be given to
the applicants from the under represented regions at UNITAR. There
will be a probation period of 3 months.
How to apply:
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible
after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated
in the vacancy announcement.
Only complete applications will be
considered.
A letter of motivation as well as the P11 form/
Curriculum Vitae are to be sent to:
Email: estaffing@unitar.org
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UN staff members must submit copies of their latest Performance
Appraisal System (PAS) report at the time of application.
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