Programme Support and Research Officer (PSA)

Accra , Ghana

United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About Institute (UNU-INRA)

The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) is one of the 14 Research and Training Centres / Programmes of the United Nations University (UNU). The aim of the institute is to bridge the gap between science and natural resources management policies in Africa. UNU-INRA’s mandate is to contribute to the sustainable development of Africa’s natural resources in a way that maintains the quality of the natural environment and transforms lives.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities: Create synergies between research and administrative functions within the organization and provide requisite support to research and administrative related roles and functions in supporting both programmatic and organizational goals.

1. Programme Management

  • Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of UNU-INRA programs to achieve strategic objectives.

  • Assist in the coordination of research projects, capacity-building initiatives, and research to policy translation and enabling strategic convening and knowledge exchange spaces.

  • Facilitate communication and collaboration with external stakeholders such as researchers, policymakers, development partners, as well as with various project leads.

  • Support management in providing alerts and drawing lessons learnt from project co-ordination to support new initiatives and enable programmatic cohesion

  • Support management in the development of institutional growth plans and establishing coordination with relevant stakeholders within the University ecosystem and beyond

  • Prepare reports, briefing materials, and policy recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.

  • Provide support in conducting training, webinars, and guest lectures, as well as in organizing national and regional workshops, conferences, and training sessions to disseminate research findings and best practices. Identify funding opportunities and contribute to grant writing and proposal development.

  • Ensure programmes align with UNU-INRA’s mission and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Maintains up-to-date documentation and reporting on program activities and impact.

 

2. Research

  • Participate in the review and coordination of research activities of UNU-INRA.

  • Support the programmatic work of UNU by conducting relevant research in the intersection between gender and natural resource management and relevant NRM research themes as per UNU INRA’s core business and strategic plan and as per the guidance of the Director

  • Support in the design of gender relevant metric to monitor and evaluate projects with a gender focus and outcome areas.

  • Research, compile and organise project information and reference materials from various sources for reports, work plans, studies, briefings, meetings/conferences, etc.

  • Generate a variety of standard statistical and other reports, work orders, etc., using various databases.

  • Assist in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software.

 

3. Gender Mainstreaming

  • Act as UNU-INRA gender focal person in the UNU gender focal persons group. Promote gender equality in policies, programs, and activities in the institute's programmatic work.

  • Ensure gender perspectives are integrated into the planning and decision-making of UNU-INRA programs.

  • Advocate for gender-sensitive budgeting and resource allocation in UNU-INRA projects and operations.

  • Develop gender-sensitive indicators for tracking progress.

  • Conduct gender awareness training for staff and stakeholders.

  • Provide technical support on gender-related issues.

 

4. Administrative Support

  • Performs general administrative tasks (e.g. Arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations etc.), to include preparing and/or processing administrative requests/documents (e.g. invoices, requisitions, purchase orders, contracts).

  • Assist with procurement activities for the institute, including sourcing, solicitation and vendor management.

  • Plan and organise meetings, events and workshops by booking venues, equipment and providing other related logistical support.

  • Assist with the coordination and administration of human resources in UNU-INRA, e.g. recruitment and working closely with UNU Human Resource Office to ensure smooth operation.

 

5. Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Liaise with the M&E Officer to support the development and strengthening of UNU-INRA monitoring and evaluation procedures.

  • Support project milestones as part of tracking project performance as well as help with the co-ordination of final project evaluation and institutional evaluation.

  • Support the development of evidence-based decision-making in programmatic learning and orientation in tracking programme effectiveness and long-term sustainability

 

 6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Proper planning, implementation, and monitoring of UNU-INRA programs to achieve strategic objectives.

  • UNU produces a variety of standard statistical and other reports, work orders, etc., using various databases.

  • Gender equality in policies, programs, and activities in the institute's programmatic work.

  • Timely and quality development and implementation of administrative processes and procedures.

  • Develop and strengthen UNU monitoring and evaluation procedures.

  • Performance of personnel: the office produces quality knowledge products.

Competencies

Values:

  • Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.

  • Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.

  • Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.

  • Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:

  • Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

  • Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

  • Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

  • Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

  • Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

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