Job at United Nations Environment Programme – Administrative Officer in Paris, France
| Posting Period: | 06 December 2022 – 19 January 2023 |
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
The overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision-makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.
This post is located in UNEP’s Economy Division, at the Paris duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Project Management and Administration Unit, and the overall guidance of the Chief of Energy & Climate Branch, the incumbent will perform the following duties:Responsibilities
1. Develop and recommend strategies concerning the implementation of the Economy Division’s Programme of Work (PoW), with a specific focus on the Energy & Climate branch, Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) and the UNEP-Copenhagen Climate Center (CCC):
a) Co-ordinating and developing the preparation of the Economy Division’s biennium programme of work and budget, liaising with chiefs of Units and Initiatives, the UNEP regional offices & headquarters, ensuring that the proposed activities of each unit are in line with UNEP and the Economy Division’s overall objectives.
b) Provide advice and recommendations to the Division management on the development of the work programme and the preparation of project proposals, and review prior to approval by the Economy Division Director project proposals, ensuring their compatibility with the Economy Division’s overall objectives.
c) Have regular contacts with heads of units & initiatives to assess and monitor progress made on the implementation of Branch objectives, brief the Chief Administration and the Branch head, and provide the relevant progress and management reports to the Divisional management.
d) Establish in close co-operation with UNEP headquarters, donor contacts to ensure financial support of the Economy Division activities, negotiate with donors when necessary, and ensure the timely submission of progress reports.
e) Evaluate the Division’s needs and identify the most appropriate partners to ensure the support of other UN entities, international organizations, governments, NGOs, institutions.
2. Responsible for the day-to-day management of administrative, budget and personnel issues in the Energy & Climate Branch, the GGKP & PAGE including:
a) Reviewing and recommending to the Branch Chief, the overall budgetary allocation liaising with Unit Heads in Paris, Geneva, Copenhagen, and Nairobi.
b) Supervising the preparation of legal agreements and corporate contracts.
c) Recommending the most efficient administrative and organizational framework to implement the Energy & Climate Branch, the GGKP & PAGE programme of work.
d) Ensuring the most efficient and cost-effective use of the Economy Division’s financial and human resources and recommend policies and strategies as necessary.
e) Approving travel plans and reviewing travel reports for staff in the Energy & Climate branch, the GGKP & PAGE.
3. Leads the divisional work on forensic accounting & project closure, improving the Divisional compliance to the corporate fiduciary standards, provide corporate guidance and act as resource person in project closure.
4. Support the general administrative and financial management of the Division with an emphasis on the Energy & Climate Branch, ensuring integrity of UNEP’s fiduciary standards in the context of the complex UNEP-CCC setting.
5. Provide forensic accounting expertise to the Division to ensure improvement of fiduciary standards, and to act as a resource person for the organizational initiatives on project accounting.
6. Provide regular financial reports to the Chief Programme and Administration Unit on administrative and financial matters.
7. Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
8. Performs other duties as required.Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours 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.
CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.Education
Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in accounting, finance, business, or public administration 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 desirable.Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, administration or related field with progressive managerial exposure is required.
Work Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning software is required.
Experience in fund management of large project portfolio is desirable.
Experience in negotiations with country administrations (Ministries & representatives) for multi million public funded agreements is desirable.
Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French 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.Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone or teleconferenceSpecial Notice
Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.
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 and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, 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.
On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.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 “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.
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 “Manuals” 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 APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.