This position is located in the United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), based in Incheon City/Republic of Korea, which is a project office of the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). DPIDG provides secretariat support to the United Nations Programme on Public Administration and Development. The Division is mandated to assist the Member States of the United Nations in fostering efficient, effective, transparent, accountable, clean and citizen-centred public governance, administration and services through innovation and technology to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Division. The Head of UNPOG will ensure that the project office’s work is aligned with the 2021 United Nations Secretary-General Report on “Our Common Agenda”, UN DESA’s Action Plan as well as DPIDG’s strategic framework and priorities.

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government, the Head of UNPOG supervises the work of the project office. The office focuses on strengthening capacities of public institutions to translate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other internationally agreed goals, into strategies and programmes at country-level, especially in least-developed countries, land-locked developing countries, small-island developing States and middle-income countries in Asia and the Pacific, as well as countries in similar conditions notably in Africa. The incumbent is responsible for the effective and timely implementation of UNPOG work programmes and activities related to policy analysis, drafting of documents and publications, the preparation and servicing of expert group meetings, the provision of capacity development activities and coordination of communication and outreach activities. He/she is responsible for assisting the Director in appraising impact and performance of activities in accordance with the existing procedures. More specifically, the incumbent: • Formulates and implements the work programme of UNPOG on building effective, accountable and transparent institutions at the national and sub-national levels in support of an integrated implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Manages day-to-day activities of the Project office; ensures that the programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, in line with the mandates of the Department, and in collaboration with other organizations of the UN system as appropriate. • Coordinates and oversees policy analysis and research on how to strengthen governments’ institutional capacity to achieve the SDGs and advance implementation of the 2030 Agenda through: (a) identifying key issues and themes arising from UN bodies notably the General Assembly, ECOSOC, and the Committee of Experts in Public Administration; (b) supervising research and data collection and analysis; (c) preparing publications and documents produced by the project office; (d) supporting expert group meetings; and (e) overseeing the preparation of lessons learned to inform DPIDG’s analytical work and support to intergovernmental bodies and CEPA; • Manages and promotes greater awareness of Agenda 2030 and its implications, identifies approaches and sustainable policy and institutional options and conducts capacity development activities through (a) the dissemination and transfer of knowledge, good practices and experiences on building effective and accountable institutions for the advancement of the 2030 Agenda; (b) acquisition of new methodologies and knowledge through holistic training packages, modules and tools; (c) multi-country and national capacity development workshops, training events, conferences, study tours and other events; oversees preparation of Terms of Reference for international and national experts required for the project; (d) represents the Division at relevant global, regional and national meetings or forums and represents the Project Office at donor or partner consultation meetings as delegated by the Director; actively supports project resource mobilization efforts from bilateral or multilateral donors; • Ensures effective coordination of the work of the project office with relevant United Nations programmes including the regional commissions, and strengthens partnerships and cooperation with relevant international, regional and national organizations, both within and outside the United Nations system, in close consultation with DPIDG. Facilitates the use of global knowledge networks, such as the United Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN), to share project results including project publications, conference proceedings, and other related requests; • Reports to the Director on progress and results achieved by the Project’s annual reports. Keeps the Director informed on a weekly basis of developments in matters concerning the project office, conducts regular self-evaluations of various aspects of its work, and makes recommendations on necessary improvements.

Professionalism: Demonstrated technical expertise in public policy analysis, preferably focused on research and/or policy development relating to public governance for sustainable development. Demonstrates ability to interact with administration and high-level government officials. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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 & 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Managing Performance: Delegates the 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; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports he development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in information technologies, information communication technologies, international development, public administration, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in governance and public administration is required. Experience in human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget or related field is required. Experience in programme formulation and implementation is required. Experience in mobilizing partnerships and networks in governance and public administration is required. Experience in resource mobilization, including with the host government, is required. Experience in working in the government or international organizations at a senior level is desirable. Experience in digital government is desirable. Experience in facilitating and supporting policy formulation is desirable. Experience in public sector reforms and institutional restructuring is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Korean or other languages used in the region is desirable.

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

This is a project post. Appointment or assignment against this post is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. 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.

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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. 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 internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira 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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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