SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe Abyei Area is a resource-rich and strategically important territory contested by Sudan and South Sudan. Since the 2011 secession, it has remained a hotspot of political tension, marked by unresolved sovereignty claims, ongoing inter-communal conflict, and limited governance structures. The region continues to face significant security, development, and humanitarian challenges, including restricted humanitarian access, weak rule of law, and fragile service delivery. In response, the United Nations Security Council has mandated the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to stabilize and demilitarize the area, while facilitating temporary administrative and security arrangements. UNISFA also works closely with the UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) in Sudan and South Sudan to support development and humanitarian responses in the Abyei Area. Since 2022, under the direction of the UN Secretary-General, UN Agencies have implemented the Abyei Joint Programme, led by the two RCs, to deliver targeted interventions in basic service provision, livelihoods, economic empowerment, social cohesion, and rule of law. In parallel, UNISFA implements Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), small-scale, rapidly delivered initiatives that promote stability, foster community trust, and address urgent local needs. Both the Joint Programme and QIPs are vital components of the mission’s broader peacebuilding and mandate implementation efforts. This position is located within the Office of the Chief of Staff in UNISFA, with the duty station Abyei. The Senior Programme Management Officer reports to the Acting Head of Mission/Force Commander through the Mission Chief of Staff. ResponsibilitiesThe Senior Programme Management Officer holds a central role in overseeing the strategic management and implementation of all programmatic resources within UNISFA. This includes the Abyei Joint Programme, developed in partnership with the United Nations Country Teams of Sudan and South Sudan as well as the Mission’s own programmatic funding and Quick Impact Projects (QIPs). The Officer ensures that these distinct funding streams are administered in full compliance with relevant UN rules, regulations, and policies. A critical aspect of the role is to maintain cohesion and complementarity in the identification, planning, and implementation of activities, ensuring that all programmatic efforts are strategically aligned and mutually reinforcing across the Mission’s priorities. The incumbent will oversee the following: • Lead the management and delivery of the Abyei Joint Programme, in line with Security Council Resolution S/2021/805. Ensure peacebuilding remains the central focus, while aligning with humanitarian and development priorities in the Abyei Area. Coordinate with the Resident Coordinators of Sudan and South Sudan, and UNISFA leadership on planning and implementation. • Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, including community representatives in Abyei, national authorities, development partners, civil society, and UN entities. Promote synergies with other initiatives to maximize impact and avoid duplication. • Lead and coordinate a Joint Programme team comprising representatives from UNISFA and the Resident Coordinators’ Offices of Sudan and South Sudan. Provide strategic and substantive guidance to ensure full adherence to UN principles and standards in all activities. • In coordination with the Finance and Budget Section, monitor the allocation and utilization of all programmatic funds. Oversee planning, expenditure tracking, reporting, and ensure compliance with internal controls and agreements. Support resource mobilization efforts for the Joint Programme and broader programmatic needs. Monitor advances to implementing partners and ensure accountability. • Coordinate reporting on programmatic performance using data tools and visualizations. Ensure joint analysis and strategic advice is provided to the Mission Leadership Team (MLT) on peacebuilding and development issues. Prepare written outputs such as background papers, progress reports, and strategic reviews. • Provide secretariat support to the SAG, including meeting preparation, documentation, follow-up on decisions, and oversight of implementation. • Keep the UNISFA Head of Mission and the Resident Coordinators for Sudan and South Sudan regularly informed on all matters related to programmatic activities, particularly under the Joint Programme. • Serve as focal point for internal and external queries regarding the Mission’s use of programmatic resources, reporting requirements to the programmatic activities • Performs any other functions assigned CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the theories, concepts and approaches relevant to grant management and grantor module management. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues / problems. Ability to develop high-quality project documents including designing appropriate indicators, monitoring and evaluation arrangements. Ability to conduct data collection, and to present data visually in a variety of ways. 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. Planning and organization: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priories 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. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different approaches to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things 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. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International relations, Social Affairs, Law, Business Administration, Management, Economics or other related field. A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceMinimum of 10 years (with master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the international level in programme management, administration, or related area, with hands-on experience in design, implementation, financial oversight, of programmatic Funding/Trust Funds is required. Field experience and knowledge of UN peacekeeping and UN peacebuilding are required. A minimum of three years of experience within the United Nations common system or similar international organizations in the management of trust funds and/or extrabudgetary resources is required Strong understanding and proven experience in the UN Rules and Regulations and demonstrated ability to work with UN Country Teams in crisis context is desirable Knowledge of strategic and/or operational partnership issues with regional organizations/arrangements, and experience in building such partnerships, is desirable. A minimum of three years of experience in negotiating and interacting with donors/Governments regarding extra-budgetary and/or cost recovery resources is desirable. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Umoja for grant and fund management transactions, financial reporting, and data analytics is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary job opening may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. 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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. 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