Programme Assistant, Nairobi

Closing date: Saturday, 25 April 2015

Vacancy code VA/2015/B5303/7360
Position title Programme Assistant
Level ICS-6
Department/office AFO, KEOH, Kenya
Duty station Nairobi, Kenya
Contract type Fixed Term
Contract level G6
Duration 1 year renewable subject to availability of funds
Application period 20-Apr-2015 to 26-Apr-2015
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Background Information - UNOPS
UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.
Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.
We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.
Background Information - Kenya
Kenya
The UNOPS Kenya Operational Hub (KEOH) plays a critical role in providing management services-for its life-saving peace-building, humanitarian and development operations; supporting projects on behalf of a range of partners and creating real results that matter for people in need. KEOH is implementing projects worth more than$40 million in eastern and southern Africa and is helping its partners achieve project goals in sustainable project management, sustainable procurement, sustainable infrastructure, human resource management and advisory services
The UNOPS Kenya Operational Hub (KEOH), located in Nairobi, Kenya, spans across East Africa, covering Kenya,Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Eritrea. The Office is comprised of 150 personnel with the right mix of critical skills needed for effective services delivery.
KEOH implements projects in infrastructure, procurement, environment, health, grants management, financial management, human resources and advisory services. There are also several regional environmental projects that span across Africa and parts of Asia that are being managed by KEOH project managers.
Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
The SWITCH Africa Green Project is being implemented by the Regional Office for Africa, in coordination with the other UNEP Divisions and partners. The Programme Assistant will be located in Nairobi duty station, and will report directly to the Regional Coordinator of the Resource Efficiency sub-programme, and work under the overall supervision of the Director of the Regional Office for Africa.
The Programme Assistant will provide support to the SWITCH Africa Green Project, which aims to support six African countries to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication through the transition to an inclusive green economy and a shift to sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Functional Responsibilities
Within limits of delegated authority, the Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides assistance in support of planning and implementing activities for the SWITCH Africa Green Project.
• Assists in monitoring the status of project activities; takes necessary action to ensure project documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for action.
• Assists in the monitoring and evaluation of the project; categorizes, updates, tracks and analyses data; carries out periodic status reviews, identifies issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions.
• Researches, compiles, analyses, summarises and presents basic information/data on the building and construction sector.
• Provides support to other sustainable consumption and production and green economy related projects and activities in UNEP- ROA
• Assists in the preparation and analysis of programme budget proposals; provides assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines.
• Supports reporting on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verifies availability of funds; initiates financial authorizations for expenditures.
• Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organisational units to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference against programme objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to project implementation.
• Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports.
• Prepares, maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.

Perform other related duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches related to sustainable consumption and production, resource efficiency and green economy. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Possess conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
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; tailors language, tone, style and format to match 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.
Planning& 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; 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.
Education/Experience/Language requirements

• A Secondary Diploma is required. A Bachelors Degree in project management, urban planning, natural sciences or a related field is significantly desired
• A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, administration or related area.
• Fluency in written and oral English required.

Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract level: G6
Contract duration: 1 Year renewable subject to availability of funds
Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.