Associate Programme Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) was established in 1997 with the mission to eliminate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices. It operates under the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and coordinates United Nations mine action efforts, leading operational responses at the country level while supporting the development of standards, policies, and norms. UNMAS is a specialized service of the United Nations that responds to specific requests for support from the UN Secretary-General or designated officials. The organization is committed to ensuring the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its operations, and it promotes gender equality and diversity within its workforce. For more information, visit www.unmas.org.

Job Overview:
The Associate Programme Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Programme Management and Support Section (PMSS) of UNMAS. This position involves conducting basic research on various aspects of UNMAS programmes and projects, which includes collecting, analyzing, and presenting statistical data from diverse sources. The officer will assist in policy development by reviewing and analyzing issues and trends, preparing evaluations, and contributing to various written outputs such as background papers, analytical notes, and sections of reports. The role also includes providing administrative and substantive support for meetings and conferences, proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparing necessary documents. The Associate Programme Officer will engage in outreach activities to promote UNMAS programmes, participate in training workshops, and may also take part in field missions to provide support and collect data. Additionally, the officer will coordinate activities related to budget funding, including programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, and financial statements.

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

• Conducting basic research on selected aspects of UNMAS programmes and projects, including data collection and analysis.
• Assisting in policy development through the review and analysis of issues and trends, and preparing evaluations or research studies.
• Contributing to the preparation of written outputs such as draft background papers, analytical notes, and sections of reports.
• Providing administrative and substantive support for meetings and conferences, including logistics and preparation of background documents.
• Undertaking outreach activities to promote UNMAS programmes and participating in the development of training workshops and seminars.
• Participating in field missions to provide support and collect data.
• Coordinating activities related to budget funding, including preparation of related documents and reports.
• Performing other duties as required by the Team Lead in PMSS.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of programme development, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in the context of mine action. They should demonstrate the ability to identify and analyze issues, develop sources for data collection, and conduct independent research. The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage conflicting priorities, and a commitment to incorporating gender perspectives in their work. Professionalism, teamwork, and effective planning and organizing skills are essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, administration, or a related area is required. Experience specifically in the management of mine action-related programmes is essential, while experience in financial management is desirable.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, and proficiency in French is considered an asset but not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for an initial period of 6 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may also be restricted to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.