Programme Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Chief of Staff at the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU). The UNOAU is dedicated to fostering collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union, aiming to enhance peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and development across the African continent. The organization plays a crucial role in addressing various challenges faced by African nations, including conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. The UNOAU is part of a larger network of UN offices and agencies that operate globally, with a mission to uphold international peace and security, promote human rights, and support sustainable development initiatives. The organization employs a diverse workforce and operates in multiple countries, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and global cooperation.

Job Overview:
The Programme Officer will be responsible for facilitating the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programs and projects within the UNOAU. This role involves working closely with key clients to monitor and analyze specific aspects of program/project development and implementation. The incumbent will review relevant documents and reports, identify problems and issues, and recommend corrective actions. Additionally, the Programme Officer will conduct basic research on selected aspects of programs and operations, collecting and analyzing statistical data and other information from diverse sources. The position also entails providing substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, contributing to the preparation of various written outputs, and providing administrative and substantive support to meetings and conferences. The Programme Officer will engage in outreach activities, participate in training workshops, and contribute to funding-related activities, including program/project preparation and submissions. This role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work collaboratively within a team to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Officer include:

• Facilitating the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programs/projects, ensuring effective monitoring and analysis of specific aspects of program/project development.
• Reviewing relevant documents and reports to identify problems and issues, recommending corrective actions, and liaising with relevant parties.
• Conducting basic research on selected aspects of programs and operations, including collecting, analyzing, and presenting statistical data and other information from diverse sources.
• Providing substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including reviewing and analyzing emerging development issues and trends.
• Contributing to the preparation of various written outputs, such as draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications.
• Providing administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparing background documents and presentations.
• Undertaking outreach activities and participating in the development of training workshops and seminars, making presentations on assigned topics.
• Contributing to activities related to funding, including program/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, and financial statements.
• Performing other duties as required to support the overall mission of the UNOAU.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Programme Officer position include a strong understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to the specific sector or functional area. Candidates should possess the ability to identify issues, analyze problems, and participate in their resolution. A demonstrated ability to develop sources for data collection and conduct independent research and analysis is essential. Candidates must show professionalism, including a commitment to gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Teamwork and collaboration skills are crucial, as the Programme Officer will work closely with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate effective planning and organizing skills, including the ability to develop clear goals, prioritize activities, and allocate resources efficiently.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Programme Officer position must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
For applicants with an advanced university degree in a relevant field of study, professional work experience is not required. However, for those with a first-level university degree, two additional years of qualifying work experience are required. Experience in project/programme management, administration, or a related area is desirable. Candidates should also have experience contributing to the preparation of various written outputs, such as draft background papers and analytical notes, particularly in relation to small island least developed countries (LDCs).

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this job opening, proficiency in English is required, while knowledge of French is desirable. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English, as per the UN Language Framework. The required level for English is UN Level II, which indicates a competent ability to communicate effectively in a professional context. Proficiency in French at UN Level II is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until December 31, 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. It is important to note that this temporary job opening may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, but it does not guarantee future employment in the same position. The eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. Additionally, staff members who are approaching the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates are encouraged to follow all application instructions carefully.