Senior Programme Management Officer, P-5

Senior Programme Management Officer, P-5

UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 SDGs and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA's five strategic directions, which are: advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. This post is located in the Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent works in the Office of the Executive Secretary with a direct reporting line to the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support (DES/PS). He or she supports and advises the DES/PS on strategic management and coordination of operational activities of the Programme Support pillar of the ECA.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the DES-PS, within the delegated authority, the SPMO is responsible for the following duties:

• Pillar programme of work coordination and monitoring:
  • Closely supports the Deputy Executive Secretary in promoting and coordinating the programme of work of the Programme Support pillar in close collaboration with internal and external key stakeholders, relevant divisions and sections.
  • Develops and operationalizes the strategy, implementation plan, coordination, and reporting mechanisms for effective interdivisional and inter-offices collaboration in the delivery of the programme of work of the Programme Support pillar, including associated change management initiatives; directs subordinates engaged in these processes.
  • Takes the lead to analyze, review and strengthen linkages and system-wide coherence between the different workstreams under the Programme Support pillar.
  • Fosters integrated resources planning and utilization and the development of supporting standard operating procedures.
  • Reviews and/ or directs the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
  • Ensures coordination and coherence of the collective work of the Commission’s sub-regional offices and African Institute for Economic Development and Planning.
• Independently advances priority initiatives as assigned by the DES-PS:
  • Directs research and programme evaluation and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
  • Coordinates policy development; reviews the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies,
  • Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
  • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
  • Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
  • Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
  • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
  • Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Operations of the Office of Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support:
  • Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.
  • Coordinates activities and operations in the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme Support).
  • Oversees the monitoring of implementation efforts to ensure that the Pillar meets its strategic corporate indicators and targets related to priority initiatives.
  • Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
  • Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; guides, evaluates and mentors staff.
  • Interacts closely with all divisions and offices in ECA for the production of briefings, background notes, talking points, media statements and speeches for use by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme Support).
  • Supports the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme Support) in oversight and monitoring of the Office's work plans.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks, and manage relevant change management processes. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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.
• Planning and 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.
• 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.
• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work 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.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management or project or programme administration or related area is required.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and coordinating change management strategies in a sensitive and highly demanding environment is desirable.
• Experience in strategic planning and management at the regional or sub-regional level in an international development context is desirable.
• Experience promoting policy coherence and integrated delivery among large, geographically dispersed teams is desirable.
• Prior experience working in the United Nations Common System or a similar, large multilateral institution or international NGO is desirable.
• Experience supervising staff or managing teams is desirable.
• Exposure to UN reforms or large-scale reforms in a similar international organization is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is required; and knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

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