Consultant (Home-based) – Mentor

Area of Specialization/Thematic Areas

Career counseling, human resources management, peacebuilding and international development

Overview (quick description of the funded project and its context)

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Division for Prosperity is one of UNITAR’s nine divisions. It comprises the Hiroshima Office (HO) and the Geneva-based Public Finance and Trade Programme Unit (PFTPU). To “leave no one behind”, we seek to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. We strive to reach society’s most vulnerable in the least developed countries, small island developing states and conflict and post-conflict countries.

Of the HO’s programmes, the Programme for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development (here after “the Programme”) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, aims at providing learning opportunities for junior- and mid-level practitioners in the fields of peacebuilding and development, to deepen understanding of global issues and the UN’s priorities; to enhance their soft skills to meet the UN competencies; and to strengthen their capabilities for employment opportunities in international organizations. The Program is being implemented by Hiroshima University in partnership with UNITAR.

General objectives of the contract

The incumbent will provide career coaching and mentoring for the participants and alumni of the Programme.

Responsibilities/description of professional services

The incumbent will be responsible for providing substantive support to ensure smooth implementation of the programmes. Specific tasks include:

• Provide input and feedback to the Programme team as well as partners and Resource Person(s) on the implementation of the Programme to meet participants’ needs, as required
• Prepare and produce training materials as required
• Provide feedback, advice and mentoring to the participants and alumni for their career development in international organizations
• Provide inputs to the reporting documents for the Programme
• Provide suggestions to further improve the impact of the overall Programme
• Support partnership building and resource mobilization for the Division
• Undertake other tasks as requested by the Head of the HO

Measurable outputs/deliverables/schedule of deliverables

• Input and feedback provided
• Mentoring and coaching for the participants and alumni provided
• Timely and effective liaison with the Programme team as well as partners and resource persons

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results

• Timely delivery and quality deliverables
• Positive feedback from key stakeholders including participants, partners and resource persons
• Good communication and teamwork with colleagues in the HO as well as stakeholders

Reporting structure

The incumbent will report to the Head of Hiroshima Office, Division for Prosperity.

Competences

• Professionalism – Knowledge of human resources policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them in an organizational setting. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. 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.
• Planning and organizing - Effective time management, ability to plan own work to meet designated deadlines, supervise colleagues and adjust priorities as required. High level of judgement and discretion in accomplishing the job; ability to foresee risks, monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary. 
• Communications - Strong communication (spoken and written) skills in English including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written documents including project completion report and communication materials; listens to others and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; is willing to learn from others and shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 
• Technology Awareness - Proficiency in using advanced functions on standard computer applications, notably spread sheets dealing with finance, word processing and other software applications including distance learning tools. 
• 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.

Minimum requirements

Educational: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human resources management, business or public administration, social sciences, education or related field is required.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of work experience in human resources management, administration or related area is required. At least three years of the experience must be a work experience within the UN system or equivalent global experience. Experience in providing career counselling to colleagues and/or stakeholders is required. Experience in facilitating training sessions is desirable.

Language: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge in Japanese is an asset.

Remarks

General conditions of contracts for the service of consultants and individual contractors apply. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local laws. UNITAR does not reimburse consultants for any taxes, duty, or other contribution payable by the consultants on payments made under the consultant contract.

The Institute does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants, and they are not eligible to participate in the life and health insurance schemes provided by the UN for its staff members.

This is a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor is he/she a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

The United Nations 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).

No Fee

UNITAR DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). UNITAR DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.