Programme Management Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Programme Management Officer
Location: Amman
Country: Jordan
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a part of the United Nations Secretariat and operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Established to serve 21 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa, ESCWA aims to provide a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies among its member countries. It acts as a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA's activities are coordinated with various divisions and main offices of the United Nations Headquarters, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The position is located within the ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC) in Amman, Jordan, and the Programme Management Officer will report directly to the ETC Chief.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the planning and programming of the ICC-ESCWA Centre of Entrepreneurship community. This includes managing the E-commerce Acceleration Programme, planning a series of webinars on key topics related to entrepreneurship, innovation, and SME support and growth, as well as organizing thematic roundtables. The officer will be responsible for preparing concept notes, identifying regional and global expert speakers, and coordinating events. Additionally, the officer will provide substantive support for the organization of the Arab SMEs Summit, which involves designing and managing the capacity-building workstream, identifying key themes and objectives, developing detailed agendas, and ensuring that all activities align with the needs and priorities of SMEs. The role also includes participating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, monitoring and analyzing programme/project development, and liaising with relevant parties to track follow-up actions and maintain relationships with key partners. The officer will assist in policy development, undertake survey initiatives, prepare various written outputs, conduct outreach activities, and participate in or lead field missions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Management Officer will be responsible for a variety of duties, including:

• Supporting the planning and programming of the ICC-ESCWA Centre of Entrepreneurship community.
• Managing the E-commerce Acceleration Programme and planning webinars on entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Organizing thematic roundtables, including preparing concept notes and coordinating with expert speakers.
• Providing support for the Arab SMEs Summit, including designing capacity-building workstreams and developing agendas.
• Participating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects.
• Monitoring and analyzing programme/project development and implementation.
• Reviewing relevant documents and reports, identifying problems, and proposing corrective actions.
• Assisting in policy development and conducting research activities.
• Undertaking survey initiatives and designing data collection tools. 1
• Preparing written outputs such as background papers and reports. 1
• Conducting outreach activities and training workshops. 1
• Participating in or leading field missions and drafting mission summaries. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to the sector or functional area. They should have the ability to identify and analyze issues, conduct data collection, and apply judgment in their assignments. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, including a commitment to gender perspectives and equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. They should also possess planning and organizing skills, creativity in improving programmes or services, and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

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 (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of study, combined with two additional years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration, or a related area is required. Additionally, candidates should have at least three years of experience in entrepreneurship development and SME support, as well as experience in planning and organizing events and workshops focused on entrepreneurship and innovation. Experience in designing and managing capacity-building initiatives is also desirable, along with strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, as both are working languages at ESCWA. Knowledge of French is also beneficial. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speaking, reading, writing, and understanding), while knowledge is rated as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for a maximum period of 364 days. If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position is subject to various conditions regarding eligibility, including age of separation and prior employment history. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.