Senior Programme Associate, (GS-7), San Jose, Costa Rica #514359

Under the supervision and guidance of the Education Officer, the Programme Associate provides a wide range of procedural, administrative, operational, basic research and knowledge management support in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring the Costa Rica country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. The successful candidate will perform a variety of activities, such as information gathering, monitoring and technical and administrative tasks of moderate scope and difficulty in support of education and early childhood development programme activities.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child

Under the supervision and guidance of the Education Officer, the Programme Associate provides a wide range of procedural, administrative, operational, basic research and knowledge management support in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring the Costa Rica country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. The successful candidate will perform a variety of activities, such as information gathering, monitoring and technical and administrative tasks of moderate scope and difficulty in support of education and early childhood development programme activities.

How can you make a difference?

• 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.

• Researches, analyzes, verifies, synthesizes and compiles qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the education and early childhood development programme to facilitate preparation of reports, working papers, and presentations.  
• Drafts project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
• Monitor and provide technical support to the implementation of Annual Work Plans signed between UNICEF Costa Rica and its national, governmental and no-governmental partners in the field of education and early childhood development.
• Support the UNICEF technical team in the planning, implementation and evaluation of all programmatic activities.
• Carry out monthly planning of activities to be implemented within the area of education and early childhood development.
• Carries out transactions in SAP-based ERP systems 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.
• Attend and participate in technical meetings and coordination activities with other agencies and national, governmental and no-governmental partners in the field of education and early childhood development.
• Support the drafting and evaluation of reports, concept papers, Terms of Reference, good practices and others documents related to the field of education and early childhood development.
• Other tasks that the Education Officer deems necessary for the achievement of the programme´s objectives.

 Support to monitoring and reporting of programme results

• Prepares monitoring and reporting information for the Education Officer and the Monitor and Evaluation Officer.
• Undertakes micro-assessments, spot checks, administrative/financial capacity building and overall processes for managing cash transfers between UNICEF and its counterparts.
• Monitors budgets and financial expenditures, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping his/hers supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision/follow up.

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 the use of programme funds.
• Monitors and tracks the efficient distribution of resources that are required for effective programme delivery.

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.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University Degree in education, psychology, sociology or other social science field is required.

• A minimum of 7 years progressively responsible, administrative or clerical work experience is required.

• A minimum of 1 year of professional experience in social development, planning and programme management in education and related areas.

• Experience in Early Childhood Development, and/ or quality of basic education is an asset.

• Fluency in English and Spanish

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.