Programme Assistant (Communication) - Fixed Term GS6 - UNICEF - WCARO

UNICEF's West and Central Africa Regional Office is recruiting a Programme Assistant for its Communication and Public Advocacy team to provide administrative support to the work of the section, including update of key electronic resources and platforms.

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.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

About the Communication and Public Advocacy section

The role of UNICEF's Communication and Public Advocacy team is to advocate for, and influence, child-sensitive policy, public debates and action through compelling messages, initiatives and alliances that show what can be achieved if society invests in children and youth and how it can be achieved with children and youth. In doing so, we contribute to enhancing UNICEF's image and voice as a trustworthy and effective development actor working for and with Africans in West and Central Africa. The team achieves this through three integrated areas: 1. Media outreach and partnerships; 2. Story-telling through initiatives and products; and 3. Engagement with children, youth and influencers.

Purpose of the Position

Under the supervision and guidance of the Regional Chief of Communication, the Programme Assistant supports the Communication and Public Advocacy team through providing a range of procedural, administrative, and operational support in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring their country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

1. Support to programme development, planning and execution.

• Researches, analyzes, verifies, synthesizes and compiles qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate preparation of reports, working papers, and presentations.  
• Drafts project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
• 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.
• Monitors and tracks the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.

2. Support to monitoring and reporting of programme results

• Prepares monitoring and reporting information for supervisor on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• 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

3. Support in resource mobilization

• Researches, analyzes, verifies, and synthesizes data and information in support of preparing reports pertaining to donors (both current and potential). 
• Researches, analyzes, verifies, and synthesizes 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.

4. Support in Knowledge Management and capacity building

• Researches, analyzes, verifies and synthesizes information on best practices and lessons learnt to support knowledge development and capacity building
• Supports capacity development activities related to performance monitoring, programme development, and related internal UNICEF systems/tools by preparing training materials and participating on exercises pertaining to program processes and procedures which aim to build capacity of stakeholders.

Impact of Results

The efficiency and effectiveness of the support provided by the programme assistant to the development, implementation and monitoring of programs/projects facilitates the delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the respective section, which in turn enhances the offices and UNICEF’s capacity in helping the most vulnerable women and children.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education: Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.

Experience: A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible administrative or clerical work experience is required.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and in French required.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Leading and Supervising
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Planning and Organizing

Technical Knowledge 

Specific Technical Knowledge Required

• Specialized knowledge to perform the administrative service management functions of the job at competent level. (UNICEF administrative, accounts/finance, HR, budget, and supply manuals and instructions.) 
• Security Handbook.
• UNICEF Mid-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) as it relates to administrative service management.

Common Technical Knowledge Required

• Principles of office management, operations management, programme management and administration.
• Administrative service management's goals, visions, positions, policies, and strategies 
• Information and Communication Technology administration.
• Supply operations, logistics and purchasing administration.
• Rights-based and Results-based management and programming approach in UNICEF.
• UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies, approaches and procedures.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced

• UN policies and strategy to address issues in harmonization of administrative service management and operations in the common system.
• UNICEF positions about UN common approaches to administrative service management and operations issues.
• UN security guidelines.
• Government regulations and laws in the locality pertinent to administrative service management and operations

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 organisation.