Senior Programme Officer

This position is located in United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), based in New York, USA. UNAOC is a United Nations entity that builds bridges between societies, promotes dialogue and understanding, and seeks to forge the collective political will required to accomplish these tasks. UNAOC works as a convener and facilitator to bring all sectors of society together to strengthen intercultural and interreligious dialogue to diminish hostility and promote mutual respect and harmony among the people and cultures and civilizations of the world. UNAOC’s activities are fashioned around the five pillars of Education, Youth, Migration, Media and Women as peace makers in identity-based settings. The Senior Programme Officer will report to the Director of UNAOC Secretariat.

Within limits of delegated authority, the Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Takes the lead to develop, implement and evaluate assigned awareness-raising and advocacy initiatives in alignment with UNAOC’s mandate to advance intercultural and interreligious dialogue, promote mutual respect, tolerance and global solidarity and counter all forms of racism and xenophobia based on religion or belief. • Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. • Takes the lead in conducting research and programme evaluation relevant to intercultural dialogue among civilization initiatives and presents information gathered from diverse sources. • Proposes policy development directives and plans of action relevant to intercultural dialogue and dialogue among civilizations initiatives in line with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 78/286; reviews the assessments of related issues and trends, prepares evaluations or research activities and studies, analyses implications and makes recommendations to the UNAOC senior management on possible measures. • Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. • Provides UNAOC senior management with various written outputs, e.g., background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provides UNAOC senior management with substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposing and developing the event agendas, concept notes, identifying speakers, preparation of documents and presentations, coordination of all required arrangements pertinent to events. • Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • In coordination with the UNAOC Chief of Programming Unit, develops activities related to dialogue among civilizations (programme/project proposals preparation and submissions, progress reports, final donor reports, programme budget, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). Implements new programmes and activities within the thematic area of dialogue among civilizations. • Establishes collaboration and strategic partnerships with international organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia and the media, engaged in relevant area of work. • Collects and analyzes data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. Ultimately responsible for delivering capabilities and relevant outcomes of the UNAOC programmes, meeting and exceeding donor expectations. • May perform other duties as required.

Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to assess international and regional dynamics relevant to intercultural and interreligious dialogue and dialogue among civilizations, including trends affecting social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, and the implementation of relevant United Nations mandates. Knowledge of General Assembly resolution 78/286 and related United Nations (UN) policies and initiatives, and the ability to translate these mandates into operational advocacy, outreach, research, monitoring and capacity-building activities with Member States, civil society, academia, media and private-sector partners. Ability to draft policy guidance, analytical briefings and substantive reports; advise senior management on strategic positioning and risk-sensitive approaches; design awareness-raising and training programmes for diverse audiences; and contribute to monitoring and reporting on programme results and emerging trends. Ability to manage and coordinate multi-stakeholder processes, including high-level events, field missions and partnerships, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and donor reporting. Ability to communicate clear links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. 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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in business administration, management or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Not available.

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience working within the UN Common System or comparable international organization or non-governmental organization at the international level is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience establishing and maintaining relations with counterparts in UN entities, including the Secretariat and Agencies, Funds and Programmes, or comparable international organizations is required. Experience in resource mobilization in an international organization is required. Experience in preparing reports for donors is required. Experience in managing large funding grants within an international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable. A minimum of five (5) years of experience developing intercultural and interreligious dialogue among various stakeholders at the international level is desirable.

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

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year, and renewal is subject to the availability of funds in support of the implementation of the General Assembly resolution 78/286. 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. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. 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. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. 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.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.