Programme Officer, Government Relations, P3

U.N.Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Management

Org. Setting and Reporting

This s position is located in the UN Global Compact Office, Department of Management at United Nations Headquarters. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Director of the GCO.

The United Nations Global Compact is the UN's voluntary corporate sustainability initiative in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. It revolves around ten universal principles drawn from four key international instruments in these areas. The Global Compact Office (GCO) is the UN entity responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Global Compact initiative. It pursues two complementary objectives: (1) making the Global Compact and its principles part of business strategy and operations everywhere; and (2) facilitating cooperation among key stockholders by promoting partnerships and other collective action in support of UN goals, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The position is located in the GCO in the UN Secretariat in New York.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer, Government Relations, will be responsible for the following duties:

  Participates in the development and implementation of a public policy and resource mobilization strategy and related documents for the Global Compact; monitors and analyzes funding results with individual governments; reviews overall fundraising efforts systematically and regularly seeks to identify new fundraising opportunities; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.

  Provides substantive support to meetings with permanent missions and ministries in the capital to build and manage relationships with contributing Governments, including sending regular updates on the initiative and presenting engagement opportunities for member states.

   Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources related to contributing governments and other member states’ policy trends and latest developments with regard to the Global Compact, corporate sustainability and sustainable development.

   Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of public policy trends so as to better understand enabling policy options for private sector engagement in sustainable development and corporate sustainability.

   Prepares reports upon donor’s request, customizes reports for different audiences. Designs and develops tools for consultations with the donor community. Integrates data from resource mobilization, pledges, donor payments and budgets. Serves as the Focal Point on government resource mobilization issues. Prepares various written outputs, including policy briefs for the Executive Director on public policy and resource mobilization issues. Provides substantive support to UN Global Compact consultative and other meetings, conferences and webinars, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants and speakers, preparing meeting documents and presentations, and ensuring the follow-up of outcomes and decisions etc.

   Undertakes outreach activities; conducts webinars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

   Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.

  Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

  Performs other duties as required by the Deputy Director or by the Executive Director.

Competencies

  Professionalism: Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the role of the private sector in advancing UN goals, corporate sustainability, and CSR related national policies. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

   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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, sustainability, economics or a related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area with relevance to the Global Compact’s programmes and mandates, including managing and supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives, is required. Experience in corporate sustainability, especially as it relates to UN- business collaboration - or business collaboration with another comparable international organization, is required. Experience and knowledge with respect to political/sustainability dynamics within Developing Countries is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.