Senior Programme Officer - P5

UNITAR Division for Prosperity; New York (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UNITAR Division for Prosperity in New York is looking for a Senior Programme Officer to oversee programmatic work and contribute to strategic planning and fundraising efforts. The candidate will engage stakeholders to enhance visibility and maintain relationships that support peace and security initiatives.

Applicants should possess a Master's degree and a minimum of ten years in programme management. Expertise in peacekeeping operations and skills in negotiation and analysis are essential.

The role includes supervising staff and ensuring performance aligns with New York-based funding priorities.

Qualifications

• A minimum of ten years of experience in the international field, including programme management.
• Experience working in UN peacekeeping operations is an asset.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of additional UN languages is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee programmatic work at the New York Office.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to enhance programme visibility.
• Contribute to project oversight and performance management.

Skills

Negotiating skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Resource mobilization

Education

Masters degree in peace/security studies or related field

Job description

Leaflet | Produced by United Nations Geospatial

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Manager, PTP, Division for Peace, Senior Programme Officer, is responsible for the following duties (in compliance with the Institute`s relevant policies, guidelines, procedure and processes):

• Planning, organizing, managing and overseeing the programmatic work of assigned Programme activities at New York Office, by:
  • Contributing to the development and implementation of programme strategies and priorities by reviewing the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation of internal and external factors influencing the Programme activities at the New York Office, including shifts in the peace continuum (Environmental Scanning);
  • Providing substantive contribution to the development and implementation of long-term strategies and goals for the programme in line with the overall direction set by the Manager, PTP (Strategic Planning);
  • Providing substantive contribution to the development and implementation of resource mobilization and fundraising strategies in support of PTP programming);
  • Supporting the coordination of activities related to the mobilization of funding and budgeting for activities coordinated from New York, including the preparation of related documents and through donor engagement, proposal development, and follow‑up within delegated authority;
  • Participating in the strategic coordination and information exchange with the Programme Manager and other team leaders to promote alignment across related initiatives.
• Building internal and external relationships to support PTP’s business model through stakeholder engagement and increasing the programme’s visibility:
  • Participating in the strategic coordination and information exchange with the Programme Manager and exchanging with relevant UN Secretariat departments, other agencies, funds and programmes, inter‑governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and Member States counterparts, as appropriate, to explore areas of mutual coordination and consolidation;
  • Establishing and maintaining collaboration and partnerships with key stakeholders to strengthen the Programme’s visibility, outreach, donor base, and cooperation frameworks;
  • Providing substantive contribution to strengthening partnerships through networking, outreach activities, and making presentations on assigned topics;
  • Managing assigned outreach activities, including the design and delivery of presentations, briefings, and knowledge products on assigned programme areas, to promote programme objectives and results;
  • Serving as an effective spokesperson for the Programme, representing PTP in meetings, conferences, and inter‑agency fora, and conveying programme priorities and achievements;
  • Contributing to the preparation and dissemination of substantive outputs (reports, analyses, presentations and publications) to support programme visibility and impact.
• Contributing to project oversight and performance management by directing subordinates in project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment:
  • Ensuring effective coordination of assigned project activities within the overall scope of the Programme, including alignment with New York-based funding priorities and requirements, and ensuring delivery in accordance with expected quality standards;
  • Supervising staff, consultants and other personnel under the incumbent’s responsibility, including reviewing relevant documents and reports and providing direction and feedback in line with the Programme Manager’s guidance;
  • Monitoring, mentoring and advising personnel to support performance, professional development and the achievement of results;
  • Contributing to the establishment and monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs), conducting performance evaluations, and providing constructive feedback to enhance productivity, accountability, and overall team performance, while fostering a positive work environment.
• Performing any additional activities that may be required to ensure the success of the work of the team

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Work implies establishing and maintaining relationships with counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in relevant Secretariat units and in UN funds, programs and other UN specialized agencies; representatives and officials in national governments, international organizations, consultants.

In the execution of the above tasks, the incumbent will supervise staff, fellows, consultants/individual contractors, experts and interns/trainees.

The expected results include:

• Significant contribution to strengthening strategic foresight through effective environmental scanning, coordinated analysis of internal and external factors, and substantive contribution to the development and implementation of long‑term programme and resource mobilization strategies, enabling coherent, timely and results‑oriented delivery of Peace and Security programmes aligned with New York‑based priorities.
• Provide direction to enhanced programme positioning, partnerships and visibility through effective engagement with UN entities, partners and Member States; strengthened collaboration and cooperation frameworks; management of outreach activities and representation in relevant fora; resulting in increased programme visibility, expanded donor base, and improved coordination across initiatives.
• Improve programme delivery, project oversight and team performance through effective coordination of project activities in line with programme objectives and funding requirements; delivery of high‑quality analytical outputs including policy recommendations and reports; and strengthened supervision, performance management (KPIs), mentoring and feedback mechanisms, ensuring accountability, productivity and timely delivery of mandated outputs.

Professionalism

Expert knowledge in peace and security issues; demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate and execute peace and security related projects, as well as to mobilize resources; proven negotiating skills; in‑depth knowledge of mission‑specific contexts; strong analytical skills combined with sound political judgment in resolving a wide range of issues and problems, shows pride in work and in achievements, 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 and challenges, remains calm in stressful situations; and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and 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.

Client Orientation

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Judgement/Decision Making

Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions before making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Managing Performance

Delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision‑making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Leadership

Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in contributing to strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

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; masters language, tone, style and format to match the 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, shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Building Trust

Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the international field, including experience in programme management and/or team leadership in the area of peacekeeping Operations. Experience of working in UN peacekeeping operations and/or post‑conflict recovery with intergovernmental agencies, civil society organizations, and donors, is an asset.

Education

Masters degree in peace/security studies, international relations, law, political or social sciences, development studies or another related field. First level university degree in combination with twelve years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of Advanced university degree.

Languages

Fluency in English; fluency in one or more official UN languages is desirable.

Special Notice

UNITAR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

English and French are the two working languages of UNITAR. Priority will be given to the applicants from the under‑represented regions at UNITAR. There will be a probation period of 12 months.

UNITAR staff members are subject to the authority of the UNITAR Executive Director and their appointments are limited to service with the Institute.

Considerations

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. UNITAR is a non‑smoking environment.

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 Staff Regulations and Rules and UNITAR administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications 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.