Programme Assistant, at Bioversity International CGIAR, Rome, Italy In Africa

Title:-TEMPORARY_Programme Assistant, UNEP-GEF, HQ Description
Bioversity International is a research-for-development organization working with partners worldwide
to use and conserve agricultural and tree biodiversity for improved livelihoods, nutrition, sustainability and productive and resilient ecosystems. Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership for a food secure future. Bioversity International has more than 300 staff and scientists' worldwide working with almost 700 partners. For further information on Bioversity International, consult the Web page at http://www.bioversityinternational.org
Position Description
Job Description
As part of Bioversity's commitment to the implementation of four UNEP/GEF single country projects in Nepal, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, Bioversity is seeking a qualified Programme Assistant to support the development and implementation of project activities, and analysis and presentation of information from UNEP/GEF funded projects. The Programme Assistant will be situated in Bioversity's Headquarters near Rome, Italy and will be a member of Agrobiodiversity and Ecosystem Services Programme of Bioversity International. He or she will be under the direct supervision of the Principal Scientist, Agricultural Biodiversity and Ecosystems to support project activities in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, and under the direct supervision of the Senior Scientist, Anthropology and Socioeconomics to support project activities in Cuba. More specifically, the Programme Assistant will:
Assemble project documentation, drafting letters, preparing visual presentations, and editing material for syntax. Liaise with internal staff and external agencies or people on a variety of activities / issues. Prepare Travel Authorization and logistics, including visa requirements, of Bioversity staff and other partners. Prepare Meetings, Seminars, Conferences, and minutes preparation, including arrangements such as to time, location, reception and overall handling of internal and external visitors. Prepare draft Letters of Agreements with project partners to ensure distribution of agreed financial resources to implement the project. Respond to inquiries from all levels of staff across the organization and from external sources regarding project administrative activities. Provide support to the Principal and Senior Scientist on the professional and timely implementation of the activities and outputs identified in the project document. Perform other duties as required.
Minimum Qualification & Experience
Essential qualifications & competencies
Secondary school education supplemented by office training. Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience, preferably in an international working environment. Proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Sound knowledge of standard office procedures. Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken. Desirable qualifications and competencies Command of country projects languages. Experience working in international development, with partners from multiple countries and culture. Working knowledge of the Spanish language, both written and spoken. Skills & abilities
Strong interpersonal, communications and teamwork skills; courtesy, tact and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of cultural and national backgrounds, and work in a multicultural team. Well developed skills in personal organization, priority setting, problem solving and accuracy. Strong client orientation and service approach. Considerable judgment and initiative; ability to work with significant independence within assigned areas.
Personal Qualities
Terms & Conditions
This is a temporary locally recruited support position and all benefits are denominated and paid in EURO. The salary is level 4, in a scale of eight levels, with level 8 being the highest. The salary range starts from Euro 2,854.5 per month. The contract will be for a period of six months.

Applications procedure
Please apply online through Bioversity Job Opportunities web page (http://www.bioversityinternational.org/about_us/job_opportunities.html) by clicking the "Apply" button, completing the online application and attaching the required information, no later than 2 August 2013. Please note that in the application you are required to provide the contact details (address, telephone number and e-mail address) of at least three referees, which Bioversity will contact for short listed applicants.

Closing Date: Friday, 02 August 2013 

PROGRAMME MANAGER,United Nations Volunteers Bamako, MALI

Job Title: -PROGRAMME MANAGER

Brief Background
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace
and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.
UNV engaged 6,807 UN Volunteers in 2012, on a total of 6,912 assignments. With an average age of 38 years and the requisite professional skills and qualifications of some 5 to 10 years relevant experience, UN volunteers served in 127 countries in 2012 and came themselves from 159. The majority – 79 per cent – come from developing countries themselves. One third of UN volunteers served in their own countries, with the others carrying out international assignments. The financial equivalent of programme activities exceeds US$220 million annually.  
UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany and has approximately 150 staff positions – with the majority in Bonn and some positions with different UN peacekeeping and political missions, and in other Headquarters locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo). The major organizational groups within UNV are:

• The Office of the Executive Coordinator (OEC) comprising the Evaluation Unit (EU) and the Corporate Planning and Performance Unit (CPPU);
• The Volunteer Programming and Management Group (VPMG) comprising the Peace Division (PD) and the Development Division (DD), Volunteer Recruitment Resources Section (VRRS), Quality Assurance Unit (QAU), Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS);
• The Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD) comprising the Partnerships Section (PS) and the Communications Section (CS);
• The Management Services Division (MSD) comprising the Information and Communication Technology Section (ICTS), Finance Section (FS), Human Resources Section (HRS), and the Administration Unit (AU). Additionally the Common Services Unit (CSU) provides support to the UN presence in Bonn.

Organizational setting:
The UNV Peace and Development Divisions oversee and implement UNV’s programme strategy. They advocate for the integration of volunteerism in peace and development at global, regional and national levels, targeting specific focus areas in which the role of volunteerism adds significant value.
They mobilize volunteers to support the peace and development agenda of UNV partners, including national volunteerism interventions as well as proactive mobilization of UNV and other volunteers. They ensure quality volunteer management of UN Volunteers.
They work to promote advocacy for volunteerism, and support the documentation of the contribution of volunteerism to peace and development, and target national development for governments and parliaments with a view to influencing national policies, legislation, statutory frameworks and budget in order to promote volunteerism for peace and development.
Both divisions focus on Development and Peace issues and areas. However, the Development Division oversees the “predominantly development” countries, and the Peace Division oversees the “predominantly peace” countries.
More specifically, the Peace Division works in some 20 countries and in the following focus areas:

• UN Missions (peacekeeping or political/peacebuilding) with a UNV component;
• Long-term humanitarian operations (excluding disaster-related operations);
• Electoral processes carried out under the auspices of EAD (regardless of the actual implementing framework, which could be UNDP, DPKO or UNOPS);
• Early recovery activities (e.g. restoration of basic services, community services) as well as peacebuilding and conflict prevention activities in the immediate aftermath of conflict (i.e. not long-term peacebuilding/conflict prevention);
• Short/medium-term thematical activities that are typically associated with a post-conflict setting, such as:
• Reintegration (of both IDPs/refugees/returnees and ex-combatants/persons associated with armed groups, for instance in a DDR/RR framework);
• Protection (including a range of human rights functions, refugee eligibility, assistance to vulnerable groups affected by conflict, etc.);
• Institution/state-building and rule of law (e.g. security sector reform, civil affairs, transitional justice, natural resources management, etc.).

The Portfolio Teams within the Peace Division are responsible for the implementation of the UNV programme strategy, including UN Volunteer management, at global, regional and local levels.
The UNV Field Units are efficient functioning units, providing full administrative, operational and programme support to the serving UN Volunteers, and fully integrated into the UN Mission’s functional structure.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Portfolio Manager of the concerned Portfolio Team in the Peace Division at UNV Headquarters, the Programme Manager is first and foremost responsible for the effective strategic planning, programming, and overall management of the day to day operations of UNV’s programme activity within the context of its programme collaboration with a United Nations peace-keeping operation in an assigned country. Additional responsibility includes promoting and programming UNV and volunteer activities within the host country and with other UN partners, host Government and other partners. The Programme Manager, though reporting overall to UNV Headquarters, will also be required to report locally on daily operational matters to the Director/Chief of Mission of the UN peace-keeping operation, as well as keep the UNDP Resident Representative updated on a regular basis.
Summary of key functions:

• Provision of administrative, operational and programme support to UN Volunteers;
• Continuing UNV programme development with UN Agencies in the country of operations;
• Advocacy and public information activities on UNV involvement and volunteer activities in the country;
• Integration of UNV’s work in the country of operations into UNV’s corporative business plan as well as strategic documents at country level (UNDAF, etc.);
• Managerial functions.

 Provision of administrative, operational and programme support to UN Volunteers.

• Manage the UNV Field Unit and UN Volunteer Support Officers to ensure maximum efficiency and output of UNV involvement in UN activities in field locations, including the administrative and corporate backstopping to the UN Volunteers in the UN Mission (which includes contract management, payroll monitoring, leave and attendance monitoring, provision of induction briefings, ensuring appropriate working, living and security conditions, etc.), while ensuring UN Volunteers in the UN Mission are managed on an equal footing with other Mission-associated personnel, and in accordance with the stipulations of the Global MOU concluded between UNV and DPKO/DFS.
• Monitor the security situation in the country, liaising with the Designated Official and the Security/DSS staff;
• Manage project and programme budgets for all peacekeeping and elections-related activities in the country. This includes regular financial reporting, preparation of project budget revisions and financial tracking of resources external to UNV/HQ;
• Ensure adequate office management, including drafting, implementing and monitoring of annual work plans, designing and maintaining digital databases as necessary, set-up of in-country sub-offices as may be needed, ensuring proper daily functioning of office in terms of set-up, equipment, supplies and IT/communications, etc.
• Manage the efficient compliance of the UN Volunteers with UNV’s Volunteer Reporting System (VRS), including working towards a maximum response from the supervisors, and build on the outcome of the reports;
• Manage efficiently the training budget of the EOL (i.e.: mission budget) – in coordination with the UN Mission’s Training Unit – and the budget provided by UNV HQ for the promotion of volunteerism.

Continuing UNV programme development with UN Agencies present in the country of operations.

• Develop regular contact with relevant partners and colleagues at the sub-regional, country and, if required, headquarters level, in order to strengthen existing collaboration and promote/identify new opportunities for UNV in the areas of peacekeeping, humanitarian, and crisis prevention and recovery activities;
• Where appropriate, develop and follow up on leads and planning exercises with key post-conflict electoral activity partners, including the UNDP Country Office and the Electoral Assistance Division (EAD) at the field level, with the view to create new UN Volunteer involvement in the areas of electoral supervision, monitoring and observation with the view to create and expand collaboration. This includes regular short and long-term programme analysis, preparation of official correspondence, preparation of programming advisory notes, programme strategy papers, and project documents;
• In line with DPKO/DFS policies, position UNV as an apt partner that can assist the UN Mission in its national capacity development efforts in both substantive and technical support roles;
• Position UNV as a reliable programmatic and implementing partner in the UN Mission’s quick impact projects (QIPs).
• Identify, design and implement volunteer activities/events/projects (including the annual celebration of International Volunteer Day on 5 December), either at request of UN Volunteers, local or international volunteer associations or private stakeholders, or at own initiative, including exploring funding opportunities (both internally, e.g. POEM or SVF, and externally), liaison with local volunteer associations to ensure local ownership and local volunteer mobilization, and mobilization of UN partners and international stakeholders for volunteer mobilization, co-funding and logistical support in implementation of activities;
• Contribute to the creation of a corporate identity for the UN Volunteers and to the promotion of volunteerism through the UNV volunteers in the country.

Advocacy and public information activities on UNV involvement and volunteer activities in the country.

• Identify, pursue and develop inputs to UNDP, UNV and other publications and working documents for programme development purposes. This includes the preparation of case studies, best practice guidelines, Peace Division briefing notes, etc., on UNV’s work in peacekeeping, humanitarian relief and electoral support in the country;
• Identify, pursue and develop news stories, case studies, and briefs for publication in DPKO, DFS, DPA, UNDP, UNV and other publications. This involves close consultation with UNV/HQ’s Communications Unit.

Integration of UNV’s work in the country into UNV’s corporate business plan as well as strategic documents at country level (UNDAF, etc.).

• Participate in DPKO, UNDP and UNV corporate and country level discussions and planning, including the preparation of portfolio summary reports, contributions to UNV business plans, global programme inputs, project appraisal committees, and routine preparation of briefing and advisory notes.

Managerial Functions.

• Represent the UNV Programme with UN partners, including senior UN officials, with Government and with civil society and other partners;
• Manage the recruitment, performance and career management of international UN Volunteer Support Officer and national GS staff, to motivate and promote organizational excellence;
• Manage learning activities, including establishing Unit Learning Plans and ensure staff supervised meets their development needs while meeting the needs of the Mission;
• Implement procurement processes and provide oversight to contract implementation and  certification of  payments.
• Collaborate and liaise with the UNV Field Unit in the UNDP Country Office on a collegial basis and in the spirit of “One UN Programme”.

Other related duties that may be assigned.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
Building Strategic Partnerships

• Effectively networks with partners, seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNV’s mandate and strategic agenda;
• Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UNV’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts;
• Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments
• Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved;
• Promotes UNV’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Client Orientation

• Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
• Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services;
• Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively;
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

• Identifies country needs and strategies using a fact-based approach
• Sets performance standards, monitors progress and intervenes at an early stage to ensure results are in accordance with agreed-upon quality and timeframes and reports on it
• Ensures the programme implementation and Financial Resources to obtain results

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
• Building support and political acumen;
• Building staff competence,  creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Building and promoting effective teams;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master degree in social sciences, public administration, humanitarian, international relations/development studies, law, human resources or other relevant field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience at the field level, preferably with UNDP/UNV, or in the areas of humanitarian relief, electoral assistance, special operations in DPKO environment and communications;
• Work experience as UNV Programme Officer in a field location is an asset;
• Strong recognition of UNV values and be able to identify fully with the programme is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and French required.

Applications should be submitted on line and include an up to date UNDP Personal History Form (P11) posted at http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
The successful candidate will hold a UNDP letter of appointment.
Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).


 Closing Date: Saturday, 27 July 2013 

Engineer, WFP Field Engineering (Short-term), Rome at The World Food Programme (WFP)

Job Title: Engineer, WFP Field Engineering (Short-term)
 The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking to fill an international consultancy position of Engineer, which
will be based in the WFP Field Engineering within the Facilities Management Branch at our Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The contract will be for an initial period of 6 months. WFP is an operational leader in engineering services. The WFP Field Engineering coordinates, designs, supports, manages and supervises the construction activities in our Country Offices, compounds and premises worldwide. The Engineer will be responsible for providing support in the technical, financial and administrative aspects of various engineering projects, fields of work and emergency operations in which the WFP Field Engineering is involved. The Engineer will report to the Chief Engineer, WFP Field Engineering, and be responsible for the following:

key duties:

• Undertake preliminary or detailed designs (including preparing, writing and assembling drawings, schematics, masterplans, design calculations and reports, technical specifications) and requiring a detailed knowledge of the international standards and codes;
• Develop project budgets or preliminary and detailed costs estimations to implement civil, structural, electrical, mechanical or special systems within the projects (including feasibility studies, project schedules and bids).
• Work-time estimates could be also required; Prepare and assemble construction contract documentations;
• Support the Team with the preparation of Scope of Works, tender packages, tender evaluation, contracting and reporting;
• Support engineering teams in both Headquarters and the field;
• Attend meetings and prepare and review reports, minutes and correspondence;
• Liaise with stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation;
• Undertake administrative tasks and provide project management services for the projects where and when requested;
• Provide guidance and direction to contractors and design consultants;
• Supervise construction works, programming and co-ordination;
• Review and evaluate the planned and 'in progress' construction projects;
• Establish and maintain project performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting procedures, up to project completion;
• Assist the Team in contractual matters (not limited to performance bonds, insurances, claims, advance payment guarantees, etc.);
• Prepare and manage cash flow programmes;
• Assist with the interpretation of the contract documents.
• Explain and/or reconcile any ambiguities and/or discrepancies in the contract documents and apply the various provisions of the contract documents;
• Assist in the settlement of audit related enquiries (if any), pertaining to a project;
• Monitor the quality of the works during design and construction;
• Participate in design reviews (including reading, interpreting and critique/comment on technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports) and giving advice and recommendation;
• Operate computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks;
• Perform other related duties as required. 1

Qualifications Experience And Education:

• University degree in Civil or Structural Engineering; Professional or Chartered accreditation by an appropriate national or international regulatory authority for Engineers is an asset.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in civil or structural engineering;
• Experience in 'health and safety' systems is highly desirable. Technical Skills & Knowledge:
• Good knowledge of engineering design, in particular to the civil and structural fields;
• Familiarity with public procurement procedures, international contract formats and construction management procedures;
• Knowledge of a relevant engineering discipline, such as electrical/mechanical design, designing of buildings, designing of roads, alternative energy technologies or fire safety design;
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Project, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook) and other standard office software packages and systems;
• Advanced knowledge of AutoCAD and other project management software. Competencies:
• Strong technical problem solving skills;
• Ability to understand and establish priorities and work by objectives;
• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relationships with people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to work under stress and work overtime when required. Language:
• Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English;
• Proficiency in Arabic, French or Spanish is highly desirable.

Terms and Conditions

• WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate's qualifications and experience. Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP. http://www.wfp.org Click on: 'Where we work' and 'Our work' to learn more about WFP's operations http://www.unstaffmobility.org Learn more about countries where the UN operates Application procedures: Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/13-0013954
• Step 1: Create your online CV.
• Step 2: Click on 'Description' to read the position requirements and 'Apply' to submit your application.

NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy. Deadline for applications: 29 July 2013 WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are encouraged to apply. REF: 13-0013954
Fighting Hunger Worldwide 2
Closing Date: Monday, 29 July 2013
http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/olcv/FileReqDesc?reqcode=13-0013954

Regional Program Development Officer Job Vacancy at Samaritan Purse West Africa

Job Title: Regional Program Development Officer, West Africa (959)

Monrovia, Liberia - The Regional Program Development Officer, West Africa (RPDO) will work throughout West Africa as a part of the International Program Development Unit. The RPDO will focus on supporting and coordinating Samaritan’s Purse (SP) Field Offices as it relates the pursuit and development of programs and grant proposals in Africa. The incumbent will provide consultation in processes related to program and grant proposals to include writing, editing and the compilation of lessons learned. This position may be up to 40% travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop programming and proposals for SP Africa field offices using current SP program models and best practices. On occasion the RPDO will be asked to assist in the initial program implementation of proposals they write
• Build capacity of SP Africa field offices in general program development skills, behavior change communication, and qualitative evaluation skills
• Build relationships on behalf of SP Africa field offices with bilateral donors, International Non-governmental Organizations, and other agencies
• Align with the various SP Country Directors regarding the rules and regulations of the field office and ensure that they are aware of all meetings, progress and ideas being formulated
• Ensure that all proposals follow timetables that allow for the input/review by the technical advisors and the finance department and involve the Technical Advisory Unit in the concept development process of grant submissions
• Maintain a strong Christian witness to colleagues, vendors, charitable beneficiaries, and the general public

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in international development or related field and/or 3-5 years of program/proposal development experience.
• One year of college-level Biblical studies is preferred.
• Commitment to the Samaritan’s Purse statement of faith, and experience in working with cross-cultural and cross-denominational Christians.
• Technical writing skills including developing proposals, training/instruction manuals, and reports.
• Knowledge of skills such as monitoring and evaluation; utilizing information, education, and communication; and program implementation/management.
• Field experience in relief and program development, program implementation and proposal development.
• Prior cross-cultural experience.
• Working knowledge of the grant submission processes of major donors such as the UN, CIDA, DFID and USAID etc.
• Desire to help lead people to knowledge of Jesus Christ that transforms desperate situations.
• Fluency in spoken and written French is a plus

12-24 month contract with potential for renewal.
How to Apply;
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/employment_listings/position_listing_intl/regional_program_development_officer_west_africa_959/