PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

This position is located in the Automated System for Customs DAta (ASYCUDA) Programme in the Division on Technology and Logistics of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Programme Management Officer reports to the Chief of the Division, and will coordinate the substantive and technical activities of various projects situated in several countries within the West Africa region and Middle East.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Project management/ project strategy and planning, by
(a)exercising overall responsibility for planning, implementation, management and coordination of the project operations and personnel in accordance with the project agreement;
(b)defining and orienting main strategy lines for implementation in consultation with the National Project Director; overseeing preparation and updating of the project work plan, as required;
(c)advising on the recruitment/appointment of the national project team, and managing the recruitment of local consultants and support staff;
(d)coordinating and supervising activities of the project staff, experts and consultants working as part of the technical assistance team.

• Overall management of the project for the implementation of the UNCTAD Automated System for Customs DAta (ASYCUDA) system in the National Beneficiary Government Agency (NBGA), by
(a)leading and effectively managing the project team, ensuring proper training, guidance and coaching opportunities for all personnel;
(b)implementing the project activities in accordance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations and with the national requirements, the international standards and best practice in the trade facilitation and transport sector;
(c)organising and providing expertise and assistance in the delivery of training, workshops, conferences, exhibitions and outreach activities;
(d)advocating and promoting ASYCUDA awareness sessions for the National Customs Service (NCS), other relevant governmental agencies and for the trade community; participate in communication and media activities, as appropriate.

• Liaison with other UN agencies and other governmental agencies'/organisations' activities by:
(a)providing advice to stakeholders on functional and/ or technical aspects of ASYCUDA system and on project implementation aspects, with the view to ensure their full integration into the overall operational ASYCUDA environment.
(b)participating in meetings of UN multi-agency nature and/or other international organisations on matters such as security, safety, or implementation of inter-agency frameworks, as appropriate;

• Project reporting and monitoring by
(a)ensuring timely production and submission of all partial and/or progress reports by all members of project team, consultants and project partners, inclusive of the elements relating to the logical framework and monitoring plan;
(b)monitoring project inventory, attendance records, and filing/ärchiving system;
(c)participating in the Project Steering Committee (PSC) or similar body, organizing project review and/or evaluation meetings; preparing background documents, briefs, issues papers, progress reports for the PSC meetings and for donor reporting; following up of PSC decisions and recommendations.

•PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of approaches, tools and methodologies related to planning, executing and monitoring the implementation of technical assistance projects. Proven ability to supervise technical teams of different cultural backgrounds. 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.

•COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.

•PLANNING & 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.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Law, Business Administration/ Public Administration, Computer Science, Telecommunications or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in the automation of procedures, organizing and delivering awareness sessions and training courses within governmental organizations is required.
Experience in developing countries and/or transition economies within an international organisation is desirable.
Experience in project management/implementation at national level of an ICT system for Customs automation or related area is desirable

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English or French is required, knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of mandate and/or the availability of funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this contexts, 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 in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

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.

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.