SPECIAL ASSISTANT- vacancy usa best jobs

Job title: SPECIAL ASSISTANT
Location : New York, USA
 Deadline : 25-May-13

Type of Contract : FTA International

Posts : 2
Languages Required : English

Starting Date :  05-Aug-2013

 Initial Contract : 1 year
Background

UNDP recognizes that the growing risks and impacts of climate change and the accompanying loss of ecosystem services requires the world to urgently invest in a new green development paradigm. Based in UNDP's Bureau of Development Policy and its Environment and Energy Group, the UNDP-GEF unit helps developing countries make green, low emission and climate resilient development not only possible, but also economically attractive. To achieve this, it works closely with UNDP country offices to help countries develop and implement programmes and projects which advance their capacity to put in place the right mix of regulatory and financial incentives, remove institutional and policy barriers, and create enabling environments that attract and drive private sector investment into green development.

UNDP-GEF staff assist partner countries to develop and implement programmes and projects that combine and sequence resources from a wide range of global environment and climate funds, financial mechanisms, and instruments including, but not limited to: the GEF managed family of vertical funds such as the GEF Trust Fund, the Special Climate Change Fund, and the Least Developed Countries Fund; the Adaptation Fund; the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation, voluntary carbon markets and other innovative sources of carbon, climate, and ecosystem finance, as well as a variety of multilateral, bilateral, national, sub-national and private sector sources.

The Directorate of the UNDP-GEF unit consists of an Executive Coordinator, a Deputy Executive Coordinator, a Results Management and Evaluation Advisor, and an Environmental Policy and Legal Specialist. Support to the Directorate is provided by Associates in: Human Resources, Information Technology, and Results and Knowledge. The Special Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Coordinator and Deputy Executive Coordinator and will directly support them, and the Directorate as needed, in managing their day to day work, enabling them to deliver timely and effectively on strategic and corporate priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Planning and coordination:

•     Backstop the UNDP-GEF Executive and Deputy Executive Coordinators while they are on mission by liaising with staff, preparing and sending materials, managing updates to their schedule, etc.
•     Organize meetings, including planning and logistics as needed for the UNDP-GEF Executive and Deputy Executive Coordinators.
•     Maintain records, files, and documents as needed for the UNDP-GEF Executive and Deputy Executive Coordinators.
•     Intercept and route all incoming communications to the Directorate, monitoring responses and ensuring timely follow-up.
•     Prepare correspondence, directives, and comments on behalf of the UNDP-GEF Executive and Deputy Executive Coordinators for signature and follow-up when required.
•     Participate in UNDP meetings, report back to the UNDP-GEF Directorate, and follow up on research issues as needed.
•     Provide the UNDP-GEF Executive and Deputy Executive Coordinators and Directorate with other support as needed in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the Unit.

Portfolio management support:

•     Prepare relevant background materials, briefing notes, presentations, reports, and/or talking points for the UNDP-GEF Executive and Deputy Executive Coordinators in a well-organized and timely manner.
•     Locate and obtain data and information as required by the Directorate and organize and maintain such data in files, databases, etc. as appropriate.
•     Undertake analyses of data and information, compiling syntheses, reports, charts, tables, graphs, presentations, etc. as required.
•     Track action items for the UNDP-GEF Executive and Deputy Executive Coordinators and the Directorate and ensure follow-up.
•     Substantively review and critically analyze key documents to ensure all briefs and presentations are complete and accurate.
•     Undertake specific ad-hoc assignments for the UNDP-GEF Executive and Deputy Executive Coordinators of a substantive nature under their guidance.

Communications:

•     Provide information as required, as requested, and as appropriate, to internal and external parties.
•     Maintain informal communication channels and networks with other Special Assistants, Programme Associates, and other contacts close to key partners to facilitate communication and access.
•     Draft and coordinate input to the preparation of UNDP-GEF Directorate publications, including regional newsletters and the UNDP-GEF profile.
•     Act as the UNDP-GEF focal point for GEF and UNDP branding policies and guidance.
•     Manage and coordinate communications with authors and designers of UNDP-GEF Directorate publications as needed.
•     Organize printing and distribution of material as needed.

Impact of Results

The key results directly impact the ability of the Directorate to function strategically, effectively and efficiently. The results of the work of the Special Assistant will assist the other members of the Directorate, and the Technical Teams so that they can perform their duties and deliver their results in a timely, efficient and effective manner.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

•     Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP's values and ethical standards.
•     Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
•     Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Professional & Technical

•     Technical knowledge of environment and energy issues in general
•     Capable of working in a high pressure work environment with frequent urgent deadlines
•     Able to manage many tasks simultaneously;
•     Able to handle a large volume of logistical details, accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail;
•     Exercises the highest level of responsibility and is able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.
•     High level logical and methodical organizational skills.

Communication:

•     Excellent communication skills, particularly written.
•     Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
•     Able to draft concise talking points
•     Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and diplomacy in internal, as well as external, relations
•     Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
•     Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having a two-way communication.
•     Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience.
•     Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork

•     Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
•     Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise.
•     Is willing to learn from others.
•     Places team agenda before personal agenda.
•     Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.
•     Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
•     Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks
•     Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
•     Proven networking, team-building, and organizational skills.

Planning and 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.

Creativity:

    Demonstrated interest in new ideas, new ways of doing things.
    Demonstrated interest in improving programmes or services.
    Demonstrated ability to 'think outside the box'.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Masters degree in Public Administration, International Relations, Environmental Management or other closely related field.
•  In support of career progression of GS staff in Headquarters locations, staff possessing a first level university degree in combination with at least 10 years of continuous service with a 100-series and/or FTA appointment, may be considered for this post provided they meet all other selection criteria 

Qualifications

•     Minimum of 2 years of work experience, with increasing independence, in an environmental field in an international organization.
•     Pre-existing knowledge of the UN and UNDP Rules and Regulations, organizational structures, and tools such as Atlas, would be a great asset.
•     Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
•     Expert Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint skills, familiarity with e-presentation techniques and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications.
•     Excellent drafting, presentation and communication skills, both oral and written

Language Requirements

    Fluent in written and spoken English. Working knowledge of other UN languages an asset.
How to apply:
visit: http://unjobs.org/vacancies/1368508327689http