The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children, is seeking a Programme Officer (Knowledge Acquisition and Information Sharing on HIV and AIDS) to be based in its Programme group, New York Headquarters.

You will maintain information-sharing tools and mechanisms (Internet, Intranet, e-publications, etc.); provide research and support assistance to ensure all UNICEF staff are kept abreast of the most up-to-date scientific and programmatic advances; and evaluate and monitor information-sharing tools and mechanisms.
In close collaboration with HIV/AIDS Specialist (Knowledge Acquisition and Networking), you will coordinate knowledge acquisition work with the extended HIV/AIDS cluster in the Programme Group and other Divisions Division of Communication, and Evaluation.

Your profile:
• Advanced university degree in public health, related degree in social sciences or journalism.
• Two to three years progressive experience working for international organization in public health, project design, communications/journalism and monitoring and evaluation.
• Current knowledge of latest analysis and developments in HIV and AIDS and related fields.
• Proven ability to analyze issues, identify policy priorities and conceptualize, plan and manage institutional change, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches.
• Rights-based and results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s Mid-Term Strategic Plan
• Ability to work in an international or multicultural environment.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of French or another UN language desired.

Core Competencies:
• Communication: Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way
• Working with people: Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well
• Drive for Results: Sets high standards for quality and quantity; monitors and maintains quality and productivity; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal/external clients; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm

Functional Competencies:
• Deciding and Initiating Action: Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people; takes initiative and works under own direction; initiates and generates activity and introduces changes into work processes; makes quick, clear decisions which may include tough choices or considered risks
• Leading and Supervising: Provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching; sets appropriate standards of behavior
• Relating and Networking: Easily establishes good relationships with customers and staff; builds wide and effective networks of contacts inside and outside the organization; relates well to people at all levels; manages conflict; uses humor appropriately to enhance relationships with others
• Persuading and Influencing: Gains clear agreement and commitment from others by persuading, convincing and negotiating; makes effective use of political processes to influence and persuade others; promotes ideas on behalf of oneself or others; makes a strong personal impact on others; takes care to manage one’s impression on others
• Applying Technical Expertise: Applies specialist and detailed technical expertise; develops job knowledge and expertise (theoretical and practical) through continual professional development; demonstrates an understanding of different organizational departments and functions
• Analyzing: Analyzes numerical data and all other sources of information, to break them into component parts, patterns and relationships; probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem; makes rational judgments from the available information and analysis; demonstrates an understanding of how one issue may be a part of a much larger system
• Learning and Researching: Rapidly learns new tasks and commits information to memory quickly; demonstrates an immediate understanding of newly presented information; gathers comprehensive information to support decision making; encourages an organizational learning approach (i.e. learns from successes and failures and seeks staff and customer feedback).
• Creating and Innovating Produces new ideas, approaches, or insights; creates innovative ways of designing projects or outputs in own work area; produces a range of solutions to problems
• Formulating Strategies & Concepts: Works strategically to realize organizational goals; sets and develops strategies; identifies, develops positive and compelling visions of the organization’s future potential; takes account of a wide range of issues across, and related to, the organization.
• Planning and Organizing: Sets clearly defined objectives; plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances; identifies and organizes resources needed to accomplish tasks; manages time effectively; monitors performance against deadlines and milestones.
• Following Instructions & Procedures: Doesn’t unnecessarily challenge authority; follows procedures and policies; keeps to schedules; complies with legal obligations and safety requirements of the role
• Adapting & Responding to Change: Adapts to changing circumstances; tolerates ambiguity; accepts new ideas and change initiatives; adapts interpersonal style to suit different people or situations; shows an interest in new experiences
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks: Maintains a positive outlook at work; works productively in a pressurized environment; keeps emotions under control during difficult situations; handles criticism well and learns from it; balances the demands of a work life and a personal life
• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Keeps up to date with trends in own work area; identifies opportunities for advancing UNICEF’s mission; maintains awareness of developments in the organizational structure and politics; demonstrates financial awareness and a concern for cost-effectiveness

If you have got experience of working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send a detailed curriculum vitae in English, AND a duly completed United Nations Personal History form (available at www.unicef.org/employ), quoting “VN-09- Programme Officer KA IS” to: nyhq.hivaids@unicef.org. Applications should be received by 17 April 2009. Only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. The successful candidate will be offered a temporary fixed term appointment for a period of a year.

UNICEF’s salary and benefits package is based on the United Nations Common System; visit  www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances for further information.

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly women are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you have not subscribed to Confabee Career & Jobs, please do now...here... RSS feed... click me. Thanks so much!

Tags: Decision, Information, Programming, Solutions, Support