AREA OF SPECIALIZATION/THEMATIC AREAS

Operations/Administrative Management/Human Resources Management

OVERVIEW

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a leading provider of high-quality learning solutions and other knowledge products and services, intended to develop the capacities of Member States, as well as of individuals, organizations and institutions to take the lead in or meaningfully contribute to the transformational change envisioned in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its supporting documents. Guided by the contemporary plans of action and platforms agreed upon by the United Nations and its Member States, the work of UNITAR in the area of designing and delivering people-centred and results-driven products and services is structured along the four key dimensions of Peace, People, Planet and Prosperity with additional units ensuring organization-wide cross-fertilization of knowledge. Such compositions make UNITAR exceptionally fit for the purpose of supporting the indivisible and integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda. 

The UNITAR Division for Prosperity encompasses the Public Finance and Trade Programme (TFTP) and the Hiroshima Project Office (HO) and covers the following six key pillars: 1) Empower Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Private Sector Competitiveness; 2) Expand Financial Inclusions & Innovative Finance and Uphold Financial Integrity; 3) Ignite Structural Economic Transformation and Economic/Livelihood Resilience; 4) Advance Decent Work and Labour Inclusion; 5) Promote Energy Transition for Growth; 6) Accelerate Technology and Innovation for Transformation. These activities contribute to a number of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Growth), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, Industry), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). UNITAR Division for Prosperity offers evidence-based learning services using latest adult-learning methodologies and technologies including micro learning platforms.

The Division focuses on offering innovative capacity-building and knowledge-management solutions for personnel from a variety of sectors including national and local governments, parliaments, the private sector, civil society, academia and media. The Division will make continuous efforts to target at those who have been left behind including women, LGBTQ, youth, refugees/IDPs, people with disabilities, and indigenous peoples.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE CONTRACT

The incumbent will be assigned as a Focal Point of the operation team to support the smooth conduct of HO activities by providing timely and effective operational support. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

For HO, the incumbent will: 

• Maintain smooth communications with the Operations Division of UNITAR HQ in Geneva as the finance/procurement focal point of Hiroshima Project Office;
• Provide guidance and support to project teams on all aspects of operations.
• Support the capacity development of the Hiroshima Project Office colleagues by providing training on operations and updating revisions in operational guidelines;
• Systematize operational management to ensure consistent and efficient process management (e.g. database, creating and maintaining folders in the platform);
• Proactively monitor the status of contracts for staff, associated fellows, individual consultants, and trainees, and take actions to update contracts in a timely manner;  
• Monitor the disbursement status of all the projects managed monthly in close coordination with project managers and;
• Undertake any other activities requested by the Head of UNITAR Hiroshima Project Office. 

MEASURABLE OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES/SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

• Effective and timely communications with the Division for Operations in Geneva;
• Provision of guidance and support to project teams in a timely manner;
• Completion of procurement in a timely manner;
• Issuance of contracts in a timely manner;
• Systems established for consistent and efficient operations management.
• Coaching, mentoring, and training provided on operations for new staff; and
• Monitoring of financial disbursement on a monthly basis.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS

• Conduct of relevant activities in a timely and quality manner;
• Knowledge and experience on subject matters; and
• Good communication and team work with colleagues in Geneva and Hiroshima, as well as workshop participants.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

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

COMPETENCIES

• Professionalism – Demonstrated knowledge of the overall operational process and ability to guide colleagues. Proactive attitude towards troubleshooting.  Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence, reliability, and efficiency in meeting deadlines and delivering quality results. Remains calm and solution-oriented under pressure. Takes responsibility for integrating gender perspectives, accessibility considerations, and inclusive learning approaches in all work.
• Planning and Organizing – Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks effectively to meet agreed timelines and deliverables under minimal supervision.
• Communications – Strong written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to draft, edit, and present clear content of the operational process, technical guidance, and internal documentation. Listens to others, communicates proactively, shares information openly, and contributes constructively to team collaboration and shared accountability.
• Technology Awareness – Proficiency in standard functions of computer applications and a strong willingness to explore the IT skills for efficient work.
• Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a multicultural, multi-ethnic, and remote team environment. Demonstrates respect for diversity, collaborates effectively with colleagues and subject matter experts, and contributes positively to team objectives.

Minimum requirements

Education: A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent).

Experience: At least 3 years of experience for operational-related work.

Language: Fluency in oral and written English and Japanese (mother tongue or JLPT N1) is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

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

The Institute does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for Contractors, and Contractors 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.

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