Programme Management Officer (Mental Health)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of Human Resources (OHR) in the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) in Bonn. The Programme Officer (Mental Health) reports to the Senior Programme Officer (Mental Health UN System Global Lead). As approved by the High-level Committee on Management (HLCM) in October 2023, the UN System Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy for 2024 and beyond reflects the UN's ongoing high-level commitment to the mental health and well-being of UN personnel. The strategy builds on the foundations developed and moves towards a sustainable and integrated approach to mental health and well-being across the UN system. The strategy aims to promote a psychologically healthy and safe workplace that promotes a positive culture and staff well-being, prevents stigma and discrimination, and contributes to a productive and positive working environment. A variety of organization-specific and inter-agency efforts have been made to address psychosocial well-being and mental health in the United Nations workplace. The strategy is designed to assist the United Nations in creating a working environment that is conducive to good mental health and ensures that support is available when needed. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) recently released guidelines for workplace mental health that have informed the strategy. This approach will allow UN organizations to share good practices and use economies of scale for products and services. The Programme Officer will contribute to the implementation of the next iteration of the UN System Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy. The post is funded by the UN system organizations and will therefore support all the organizations of the UN system. The Programme Officer will also support the sustainable transition of the Strategy's time-bound global coordination function, including by helping to institutionalize relevant functions, tools, knowledge products, partnerships and reporting arrangements within appropriate long-term UN system structures. The incumbent will contribute to transition planning, documentation, handover and continuity arrangements to preserve progress and support continued implementation following the conclusion of the dedicated global coordination phase.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer:

• Provides technical expertise in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and activities under the UN System Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy; monitors progress, analyzes implementation challenges and prepares regular updates for the Senior Programme Officer. Provides technical expertise on mental health data, mental health promotion, prevention of mental health conditions and mental health care. Supports the sustainable integration of Strategy priorities, tools and approaches into relevant organizational and inter-agency processes.


• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from the Mental Health Strategy Scorecard and coordinates data collection.


• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. reports as required for High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) and Human Resources Network (HRN) and other stakeholders, including updates on Strategy implementation, results, risks, sustainability and transition arrangements.


• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.


• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.


• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).


• Supports planning and implementation for the transition of the time-bound global coordination function, including mapping core functions and stakeholders; documenting processes, tools, products and lessons learned; supporting handover and continuity arrangements; and identifying options to embed ongoing coordination, technical support, knowledge management, reporting and partnership functions within sustainable institutional arrangements.


• Supports the Strategy's knowledge-management function, including maintaining and updating the Strategy website and relevant repositories; documenting and disseminating good practices, tools and lessons learned; and ensuring that key information and resources are organized to support continuity, institutional memory and ongoing implementation beyond the dedicated global coordination phase.


• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in a healthcare discipline relevant to mental health services (medicine, nursing, psychology or allied health therapies), public administration, public health/health care (preferably mental health), occupational health, human resources, relevant management or business administration, management, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, with a specific focus on workplace or population psychological and mental issues, or related area is required. Experience in research design, interferential statistical analysis and reporting is required. Experience in the multilateral sector or humanitarian relief/development is desirable. Experience working with new technologies, including artificial intelligence and other automated processes is desirable.

Languages

Required Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglish UN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Desirable Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrench UN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This post is financed by extrabudgetary resources. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.


• 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.


• This position is temporarily available for 8 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.


• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.


• Subject to the funding source of the post, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.


• This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.


• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.


• Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.


• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.