About the Organization
The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was created in 2010 to strengthen the United Nations’ interaction with the African Union. UNOAU is mandated to contribute to enhancing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in the area of peace and security, provide coordinated and consistent United Nations advice to the African Union on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support, and streamline the United Nations presence in Addis Ababa to be more cost-effective and efficient in delivering United Nations assistance to the African Union. UNOAU plays a key role in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, signed by the United Nations Secretary-General and Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 19 April 2017.
Job Summary
This position is located within the Integrated Operational Support Division (IOPS) of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Senior Programme Management Officer reports directly to the Head of the Integrated Operational Support Division (IOPS).
Key Responsibilities
Provides strategic and operational advice to the Principal Programme Management Officer on all programme/project design and implementation within Mission Support and Planning Section.
Takes the lead to develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects; directs subordinates in programme/project development planning, implementation, monitoring and assessment; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.
Directs and oversees research and programme evaluation and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
Coordinates policy development and implementation; reviews the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies.
Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, and provides inputs to briefing notes and talking points, Code Cables, etc.
Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
Provides guidance to external consultants, AU Partners and other stakeholders and drafting mission summaries, etc.
Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
Establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials inside the United Nations and African Union, as well as with other partners and stakeholders.
Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; Guides, evaluates and mentor staff.
Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
May perform other duties as required.
Required Qualifications
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, public administration, or a related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration, or a related field is required.
A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a United Nations peacekeeping mission or a comparable international organization is required.
A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the management and administration of logistical, financial, and/or human resources within the United Nations system or a similar international organization is required.
Experience in the management and supervision of diverse teams is required.
Demonstrated experience in data analytics, business intelligence, performance reporting, or a related field is desirable.
Demonstrated experience in liaising and coordinating with the African Union (AU) and its affiliated institutions is desirable.
English is required; French is desirable.
Required Skills and Competencies
Professionalism:
The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
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.
Leadership:
Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
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 prior to 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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.