Programme Manager, Sustainable Development, P4

Organisation: UPU - Universal Postal Union
Location: Bern
Contract: R
Deadline: 24 November 2026

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