Senior Programme Management Officer

About the role

The Senior Programme Management Officer is based in the Strategic Planning, Programme Management, Evaluation and Change Service (SPECS) of the Executive Direction and Management Division at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva. The post reports directly to the Chief of SPECS and covers programme and project management, organizational change, policy coordination, research and evaluation, and team leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of assigned programmes and projects, including organizational change initiatives aligned with OHCHR's strategic objectives, and direct subordinates through planning, monitoring and assessment.
• Ensure gender mainstreaming by assessing the implications for men and women of planned actions, policies and programmes.
• Direct research and programme evaluation, coordinate policy development and oversee communications on organizational change and stakeholder engagement.
• Undertake surveys, guide data collection instruments and interpret responses; supervise the preparation of background papers, analyses and report sections.
• Support meetings and conferences, manage outreach, design and run training workshops and deliver presentations.
• Lead field missions, advise external consultants and government officials, and draft mission summaries.
• Coordinate budget and funding matters, including programme budgets, work programmes and financial statements.
• Serve as spokesperson, build partnerships and advise leadership on organizational change.
• Supervise, evaluate and mentor staff, guide data analysis and ensure data is accessible for monitoring change objectives and lessons learned.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in business administration, management, human rights, economics or a related field; a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted instead.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration, policy development, analysis, change management or a related area, including at least five years in human rights within the UN system or a similar international organization.
• Experience in organizational change diagnostics, implementing change management processes, team management, advising principal-level officials and organizational culture and strategic foresight.
• English is required; French is desirable.