Programme Manager, Sustainable Development, P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Director and direct supervision of the Coordinator, lead and manage the planning, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of the UPU’s sustainable development pro-gramme, covering climate action, social inclusion, gender equality and disability inclusion. Translate Congress mandates and the UPU Strategy into programme activities and results aligned with the UN SDGs/UN-SWAP; provide substantive policy and technical advice within these areas; manage assigned human and financial resources; and support the development of partnerships and resource mobilization across the UN system and among governments, development partners, private sector players and postal stakeholders. 1. Under the direction of the Coordinator, plan, manage and monitor implementation of the sustainable development programme and its associated work plan deliverables. Develop the annual budget, work plans and results frameworks; monitor progress, expenditure, risks and achievement of results; and propose corrective actions and programme adjustments to the Coordinator as required. Manage the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policy advice, recommendations and proposals for consideration by the Coordinator, Director, Executive Management and relevant UPU bodies on the following matters: i UN sustainable development cooperation – Input of the UPU as a UN specialized agency into the UN Development Agenda through written contributions, reports, studies and analysis, ensuring the visibility of the UPU. This includes annual reporting in relation to the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the United Nations System. – UN policies and initiatives related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals as they may impact the policies and activities of the UPU, including use of postal networks as infrastructure for implementing the SDGs. – Implementation of the UPU sustainable development policy, to align the programmatic and operational dimensions of the International Bureau with its sustainability mandate and commitments. ii Climate action – Foster the adoption of voluntary targets by designated operators and other entities of UPU member countries consistent with Congress resolution C 7/2023. Monitor and publicize the uptake of such targets and support member country engagement with the requirements of Congress resolution C 7/2023 and other related decisions of the governing bodies of the UPU. – Lead, under the direction of the Coordinator, the development and implementation of climate-related technical cooperation initiatives, including mitigation, adaptation and resilience projects, ensuring alignment with relevant national and international climate policies and financing requirements. Provide substantive guidance to member countries and designated operators on the development of climate project concepts, including identification of policy, institutional, technical and financing requirements, and coordinate inputs from relevant internal and external technical partners. iii Social inclusion services – Support member countries in identifying and developing sustainable postal practices and services that expand access for underserved groups (rural/remote, youth, elderly, migrants, MSMEs) provided via the postal network. – Lead the development of policy guidance, technical assistance and pilot initiatives that enable postal networks to contribute to social inclusion and access to essential services, including through partnerships with relevant government authorities and development actors. iv Gender equality and disability inclusion – Implementation of relevant UPU commitments on gender equality and disability inclusion, including alignment with applicable UN system–wide frameworks such as UN-SWAP and the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy. – Develop policy guidance and initiatives supporting accessible and inclusive postal services and the use of postal networks to advance the social and economic inclusion of women, persons with disabilities and other underserved groups. v Partnerships and resource mobilization – Under the direction of the Coordinator, develop and implement partnership and resource mobilization activities in support of the programme, including identification of potential donors, financing instruments, technical partners, and opportunities for access to knowledge, technology and expertise. – Maintain working relationships with UN entities, international financial institutions, climate and development funds, development agencies, governments, private sector partners, and other relevant stakeholders, and identify opportunities for collaboration for consideration by the Coordinator. – Undertake and supervise (as appropriate) a) the conduct of studies; b) the organization of forums such as conferences and workshops; c) the development of best-in-market toolkits that foster the sharing of policy formulation recommendations and best practices in the areas mentioned above; and d) technical assistance to member countries for matters under the purview of the programme. – Spearhead and contribute to the development of innovative UPU products and services in the areas mentioned above. – Represent the UPU at relevant forum meetings including conferences and events. 2. As a supervisor; – Manage the activities of the sustainable development experts (and potential consultants and interns) working to implement the climate activities mandated by Congress, tracking milestones and budget for associated deliverables. – Create an empowering and motivating environment. – Provide staff with regular feedback, recognize good performance and address underperformance.

Competencies

Professionalism: - Takes responsibility for own actions and decisions, and for the consequences of these; - Produces and delivers high-quality results; - Drives change and improvement, continually searching for new ways to position the organization for success; - Ensures that knowledge and learning is shared across the organization and encourages staff to learn from each other. Ethics: - Ensures that personal views and convictions do not compromise ethical principles; - Understands and behaves in accordance with the UPU’s professional, ethical and legal framework; - Does not abuse power or authority vested by functions; - Respects commitments and promises made to internal and external partners; - Promptly confronts unprofessional or unethical behaviours and takes immediate appropriate action; - Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion. Taking responsibilities/results orientation - Seeks to achieve expected outputs within the agreed timeframe; - Ensures competent delivery with minimal supervision, even under pressure and with constantly changing priorities; - Keeps supervisors informed of challenges encountered and solutions found. - Quickly identifies issues and the right person to provide solutions, and shows strong client orientation in business dealings; - Explores the options for finding innovative solutions to improve work processes and results; - Remains focused and keeps morale high when faced with adversity; - Reallocates resources quickly and effectively when faced with unforeseen events. Working together/teamwork - Works collaboratively with team members to achieve results; - Shows respect to other members of the team, regardless of gender or of cultural, educational or religious background; - Seeks help when needed in order to achieve set goals; - Shares information on issues that may affect the team and respects confidentiality; - Accepts joint responsibility for the team's successes and shortcomings. - Encourages cooperation among staff within the programme and directorate and across the organization; - Collects and assesses information on a broad range of issues related to the team's work and seeks common solutions; - Encourages others to be innovative in order to improve outcomes. Team management: - Demonstrates the ability to delegate responsibility, motivate and lead, and provide effective coaching and performance feedback; - Coordinates the activities of the team; - Delegates work efficiently within the team and evaluates the team's work in a timely and fair manner; - Clearly communicates work expectations and defines successful indicators; - Takes ownership of the team's problems and seeks sustainable solutions; - Recognizes team participation and rewards individual contributions; - Ensures a good planning of work and regularly reassesses priorities to ensure delivery of the expected outcomes; - Motivates team members to strive for excellence. Job-related competencies: - Ability to defend and explain difficult and sensitive issues to staff members (including senior officials) and member country delegates, as well as counterparts from United Nations system organizations and other intergovernmental organizations. - Strong conceptual thinking, as well as logical and analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive research on a range of issues, including issues of a unique or complex nature. - Strong negotiation skills with a heightened sense of impartiality and objectivity. - Ability to work in a multicultural environment; ethical awareness. - Proven organizational skills with regard to the management of complex projects, attention to detail and good planning abilities. - Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills. - Excellent communication skills in written and oral form.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, development studies, environmental or social sciences, public policy, or any other related field. A university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field may be accepted in combination with additional relevant professional experience.

Job - Specific Qualification

Excellent knowledge of sustainable development issues having a bearing on the postal sector (particularly in what pertains to the United Nations Common System) is required Excellent knowledge of both social and environmental dimensions, and their potential conflicts and synergies, is required. Excellent knowledge of the different dimensions of climate action, from policy and regulatory instruments, to practical solutions for carbon accounting, emission reduction and resilience, is required. Very good knowledge of UN policies, institutions and frameworks is required. Very good writing and broader communication skills are required. Excellent analytical and drafting skills are required.

Work Experience

With an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent), a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in sustainable development matters, acquired in an international organization, scientific or educational institution, or in the postal sector in an international context is required. With a university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), a minimum of nine years of relevant professional experience in sustainable development matters, acquired in an international organization, scientific or educational institution, or in the postal sector in an international context is required.

Languages

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

Required Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III

French UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III

Assessment

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test. Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.

Special Notice

- Annual salary:(Net of tax) 86,027 USD - Post adjustment: 83.7 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation. - Type of contract: Fixed-term (Core) appointment - Duration: Three years - Scheduled date for taking up appointment: As soon as possible - French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau. - Priority shall be given for an internal promotion. - The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence. - Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year). - Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process. - The UPU is committed to securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for its staff members. In this regard, candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to satisfactory background checks aimed at validating the educational and professional background records as indicated by candidates in their respective application forms. - At the discretion of the UPU, such background checks may also be extended to include criminal records, disciplinary measures, sexual exploitation and abuse, and professional license check validation.

United Nations Considerations

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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.