Programme Assistant, GS-5 Panama City, Panama

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. Under the supervision and guidance of the Programme Manager, the Programme Assistant supports the respective section through providing a range of procedural, administrative, operational support in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring their country programme, ensuring timely and effective delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. In this capacity, the need to project the image of a credible and reliable service provider is imperative to quality of process delivery, and the impact of work directly reflects on the overall reputation of the team in terms of responsiveness to client needs and quality of process execution.

Post Title: Programme Assistant
Proposed Level: G-5
Duty Station: Panama City, Panama
Supervisor: Programme Manager

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

For every child, a champion

Under the close supervision and guidance of the Programme Manager, the programme assistant supports the respective section through providing a range of procedural, administrative, operational support in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring their country programme, ensuring timely and effective delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

How can you make a difference?

We are looking for a dynamic and innovative Programme Assistant to support UNICEF’s Panama Office in the following areas:

• Support to programme development, planning and execution. 
• Support to monitoring and reporting of programme results
• Support in resource mobilization
• Support in knowledge management and capacity building

 Support to programme development, planning and execution. 

• Compiles data and information on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate preparation of reports, working papers, and presentations.  
• Prepares and maintains records pertaining to programme planning and development for his/her respective section. 
• Carries out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs), and makes amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary.
• Arranges meetings, workshops and training courses pertaining to programme development, and provides support in making the necessary logistical arrangements.
• Following up both internally with the Supply section and externally with counterparts to ensure supplies for programme implementation are delivered in a timely and accurate manner. 

Support to monitoring and reporting of programme results

• Provides support on budget revision/preparation, implementation status, determination position of funding utilization, operational, and financial closure. 
• Monitors budgets and financial expenditures of section, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision/follow up.
• Prepares and maintains records, documents and control plans for the monitoring of project/programme implementation.

Support in resource mobilization

• Compiles and organizes information and data pertaining to donors (both current and potential).  
• Compiles and organizes data and information to assist in the preparation of periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to country office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds. 
• Carries out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants for his/her section such as registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants. 
• Supports the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners pertaining to the section.

Support in Knowledge Management and capacity building

• Gathers and shares information as needed in support of improving the processes and daily operations of the section. 
• Supports capacity development activities related to performance monitoring, programme development, and related internal UNICEF systems/tools by drafting necessary correspondence, compiling data reports and maintaining relevant records.  

For every Child, you demonstrate:

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication (I)
• Working with People (II)
• Drive for Results (I)

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (I)
• Learning & Researching (I)
• Planning and organizing (I)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (I)

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have:

• Education: Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization. 
• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible administrative or clerical work experience is required. 
• Language: Fluency in English and in the local language of the duty station required.

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

General Service Staff are recruited locally. Candidates must be in possession of an existing work permit or resident/citizen of Panama to be considered eligible for this post. Please note that General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and therefore, candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.