Org. Setting and Reporting

The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) is the only external independent oversight body of the United Nations system. It works to secure management and administrative efficiency and to promote greater coordination both between UN agencies and with other internal and external oversight bodies (see https://www.unjiu.org/ for additional information on the unit and for examples of JIU reports). The Unit is responsible to the General Assembly of the United Nations and to the competent legislative organs of those specialized agencies and other international organizations within the United Nations system which have accepted its statute, and which are generally referred to as “JIU participating organizations”. The JIU is looking for a motivated and talented individual, who will support the delivery of the JIU mandate, working under the guidance of JIU Inspectors and professional staff of the JIU Secretariat.

Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to work mostly independently with minimum supervision to support one or more JIU review teams through the following responsibilities: (1) Overall process: a) Participates in team meetings, collective wisdom meetings of Inspectors and in selected external meetings with stakeholders, including, if requested, through missions outside Geneva; b) Prepares meeting notes and mission reports as and when requested. (2) Research, analysis and documentation: (a) Carries out qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, leveraging the use of the most appropriate technologies including but not limited to MS Excel, AI, etc.; (b) Supports the team in drafting interview guides, questionnaires and surveys, and in consolidating and analyzing findings; (c) Presents findings in a clear, concise and professional manner, including through the use of relevant data visualizations tools; (d) Supports the team in the drafting of key documents through the preparation of relevant text, tables, graphs and document lists; (e) Maintains the list and contact details of people interviewed. (3) Administration: (a) Prepares cost estimates for travel arrangements; (b) Supports recruitment processes for engagement of external consultants and interns; (c) Tracks key project milestones. (4) Communication with stakeholders: (a) Prepares notification letters and coordinates sending them out; (b) Prepares all meeting invitations, follows-up on and responses and monitors attendance; (c) Prepares all correspondence and monitors and consolidates replies as requested; (d) Prepares letters for distribution of reports. (5) Document management: (a) Creates review document folders and sub-folders for internal use and to facilitate document sharing with external stakeholders; (b) Proofreads and formats all documents, in line with UN editorial rules; (c) Liaises with editors and translators, prepares and provides supporting files in the requested format and shares them through relevant UN channels; (d) Supports the team in addressing editors' comments; (e) Undertakes the necessary printing and uploading of reports on the relevant websites, and supports the communication and outreach activities related to the review. Other responsibilities: (i) Keeps up-to-date information packages on JIU participating organizations and follows up on relevant events and decisions, including on JIU reports (ii) Monitors acceptance and implementation of JIU recommendations and follows up on them with organizations as and when requested. (iii) Actively takes part in continuous quality assurance and improvement activities in the JIU, proactively identifying appropriate tools, best practices, and information that would support the work of the Unit. (iv) Supports internal and external JIU communication activities.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the functioning of the United Nations system, acquired through relevant work experience in the UN system or demonstrated interest in the areas of interventions of the UN entities which are part of the JIU (humanitarian assistance, development, public health, etc.). Good research and analytical skills (e.g. Word, Excel, AI, etc.) acquired through relevant work experience and supported by formal training. Good data visualization skills, (e.g. MS Excel, Power BI, Tableau. etc.) acquired through relevant work experience and/or formal training. Ability to write clearly and precisely and to communicate effectively. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive material. 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. Shows commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. 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. 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least seven (7) years of experience in research or analysis in the context of oversight activities, strategic, financial or operational analysis, risk management or performance monitoring is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in working in the United Nations or any other similar international organization is desirable. Experience in supporting internal and external communication activities is desirable. Experience in drafting and reviewing public documents, while complying with applicable editorial rules is desirable. Experience in organizing surveys and interviews with diverse stakeholder groups and analysing the responses received is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against these positions is for an initial period of 1 year with possibility of extension. These positions are subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.