Programme Management Assistant

Programme Management Assistant

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is seeking a Programme Management Assistant to support the Risk Management Unit in New York. The role involves providing planning and program management assistance, coordinating project activities, and ensuring compliance with guidelines. The assistant will also analyze data, draft reports, and facilitate communication among various stakeholders. This position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse environment.

Candidate Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum seven years of experience in program/project administration or related area
• Excellent communication skills in cross-functional environments
• Experience in Pension Fund administration or Financial Services Industry (desirable)
• Experience in business intelligence or data analytics (desirable)
• Proficiency in English

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) was established in 1949 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide retirement, death, disability, and related benefits for staff of the United Nations and other member organizations of the Fund. UNJSPF administers benefits of more than 90,000 beneficiaries residing in more than 190 countries, paid in 18 currencies, and services more than 130,000 participants who work in the 25 member organizations of UNJSPF. The Fund has offices in New York (United States) and Geneva (Switzerland) and two liaison offices in Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand), respectively. The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund-Pension Administration (UNJSPF-PA) comprises about 282 staff from diverse countries and cultures, based across four prominent duty stations (New York, Geneva, Bangkok, and Nairobi). Our office is located in the heart of Manhattan, within walking distance from the Grand Central Station hub, in a state-of-the-art facility (the One Dag Hammarskjöld building).

This position is located in the Pension Administration Risk Management Unit within the Risk and Compliance Section of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund ("UNJSPF" or "the Fund"). The role of the Risk Management Unit is to advise on the implementation and effective operation of the risk management and internal control framework. The Unit assesses, monitors and reports on risks and oversees the design and effective operation of the Fund's internal control framework. The Unit serves as the main focal point with internal and external oversight bodies. The Programme Management Assistant reports to the Chief of Risk Management Unit (RMU) of the Pension Administration and the position is located in New York.

Within limits of delegated authority, the Programme Assistant may be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides full range of planning, programme management and implementation assistance at all phases of risk management, internal control, audit coordination and related activities/processes for, typically, a large and highly complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives.
• Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on wide range of programmes/project and related topics, identifying insights, trends for consideration by appropriate parties.
• Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation; monitors status; takes necessary action to ensure activities and documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval.
• Reviews, appraises and revises, as necessary, all submissions for substantive programmes/projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines and objectives; identifies problems/issues, seek clarification from departments, assess replies, and prepares a summary for the manager with suggestions for further action.
• Collaborates with programme/project managers on risk, controls and related reporting; liaises with relevant parties on the interpretation of the data and information reported; provides assistance on reporting requirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensures completeness and accuracy of data submitted.
• Drafts programme/project summaries, inputs to a wide range of documents, reports, correspondence, briefings and, coordinates review and clearance process, and coordinates with the relevant parties on finalization and publication.
• Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organisational units to initiate and follow up requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on actions and resolve issues related to implementation.
• 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 monitoring and other reviews.
• Provides secretariat services to working groups, ad hoc tasks forces, etc.; drafts and circulates agenda notes to participants; assembles background documentation; drafts minutes of the meeting; monitors follow-up actions, etc.
• Provides guidance and training to staff on the Unit programmes/projects/initiatives.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Updates and maintains the Unit automated system, intranet site, knowledge based and data repositories.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to identify, assess, formulate recommendations and/or resolve a range of issues/problems, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making.
• 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.
• 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.

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification:

Not available.

Work Experience:

A minimum of seven years of experience in programme or project administration, risk management, audit, project management, information technology or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Excellent communication skills in cross-functional environments, with a proven ability to communicate and engage with a variety of stakeholders is required. Experience in Pension Fund administration or Financial Services Industry is desirable. One year or more of experience in business intelligence, data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).

Assessment:

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

Special Notice:

This position is available until 31 December 2026 with possibility of extension. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Please upload proof of citizenship or permanent residency in the country of the duty station. Alternatively, please upload a copy of your legal status and work authorization document in the country of the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat. Any candidate from a member organization of the UNJSPF applying for this post is considered as an internal candidate provided, he/she has been appointed through the appointment and promotion procedures applicable in his/her respective organization.

United Nations Considerations:

According to article 10