Senior Programme Associate, G7, Lucknow, India (Temporary Appointment)

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children in the world's thereby ensuring a better future for every child, this is the chance to make a difference. The incumbent will Support Program Section to coordinate outputs of the Rolling Work Plans (RWPs) and implement a periodic management reporting system. Provide administrative support to Specialists/Officers (Health/Inclusive Social Policy (ISP)/Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)) in the field office to administer various stages of planning, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF assistance with specific emphasis on cash and supply matters for assigned programmes/projects. To coordinate programme information and data for the state programme in the state.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. And we never give up!

Click here to learn more about UNICEF:   https://youtube/E1xkXZs0cAQ

For Every Child, AN ADVOCATE:

In an effort to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver better results for children, 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.

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

UNICEF has recently become the first United Nations agency to be awarded the EDGE certification – the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace. UNICEF’s commitment to EDGE reaffirms our pledge to gender equality and inclusion all UNICEF staff worldwide.

This certification recognizes UNICEF’s commitment to achieving significant milestones in gender equality for all its staff, including strong gender balance at all levels of the organization, pay equity, a solid framework of policies and practices, and an inclusive workplace culture.

“UNICEF’s most important asset is our staff — all of our staff. Gender diversity and equal opportunities for men and women is not only a matter of rights. It makes us more effective as an organization.” Henrietta H. Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.

We are the first United Nations agency to be awarded the EDGE certification – the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace.

For more information on UNICEF EDGE Certification, kindly view the video here.

UNICEF prides itself on fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

How can you make a difference?

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children in the world's thereby ensuring a better future for every child, this is the chance to make a difference.  The incumbent will Support Program Section to coordinate outputs of the Rolling Work Plans (RWPs) and implement a periodic management reporting system. Provide administrative support to Specialists/Officers [Health/Inclusive Social Policy (ISP)/Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)] in the field office to administer various stages of planning, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF assistance with specific emphasis on cash and supply matters for assigned programmes/projects. To coordinate programme information and data for the state programme in the state.

Major duties and responsibilities:

• Keep abreast of policies and procedures relating to UNICEF assistance and ensure that input documentation conforms to UNICEF procedures.  In coordination with supervisor/s take action in timely preparation of programme inputs using the prevailing computerised financial software systems for commitment, requisition and payment requests. Follow up on budget data from India Country Office (ICO).  Prepare budget projections and status reports on programme implementation.  Undertake field visits as required, to review and monitor the use of UNICEF assistance as a part of overall Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) framework.
• Coordinate with the Programme Specialists / Officers to prepare draft terms of reference, justification and other related documentation for selection and hiring of the services of contractors/ vendors in accordance with established UNICEF guidelines and procedures.  Scrutinize accounts received and monitor release of payments. Raise supply documents and support supply assistant in taking procurement actions.
• Liaise with vendors on programme related supplies of services and goods, and follow-up on completion of all activities, timely and correct receipt of invoices, service entries and payments.   
• Strengthen the Supply monitoring system for effective programme implementation. Coordinate with supervisor/s to submit evaluations and provide regular contractual status reports as per required office submission.
• In coordination with the Programme Specialist/ Officers prepare documentation for release of cash advances/ reimbursement to government/ partners. Scrutinize accounts of assigned projects, scrutinize the utilization certificates and certified statement of expenses and process liquidation of government advances.  Prepare status of Direct Cash Transfer on a regular basis and contribute in taking follow-up action with Government counterparts and other partners for liquidation of outstanding advances.
• Provide guidance to the team in the preparation of programme documents, as required.  Participate and provide programme support in the organization of workshops/seminars/training programmes / special events, etc.
• Provide inputs to the preparation of Plan of Operations, Annual Reports, Quarterly and Annual Reviews, Workplans, Annual Programme Budget (APB) and Donor Reports etc. Support Programme Specialist/ Officers to develop reporting mechanisms and provide quantitative data and statistics for forward programme planning of UNICEF cooperation.
• Maintain information management system for activities related to the relevant project/s and collate financial data and prepare statistics related to the programme needs.  Operate VISION (a SAP based software which is used for recording operational transactions) on a regular basis for transactions and generation of reports.  Under the guidance of the supervisor/s consolidate and review progress related to assigned project activities from time to time in consultation with the concerned field office.
• Participate in internal and external planning and review meetings with supervisor/s and programme partners.  Consolidate state and national requirement of UNICEF assistance for the assigned programme.  Provide inputs, including analytical information and background data, as required.  Collate and prepare background material and status reports on fund utilisation for review meetings.
• Contribute as a member of different statutory committees as per office Rolling Management Plan.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values (Required)

• Commitment    
• Diversity and Inclusion    
• Integrity

Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication  [ II ] 
• Working with People  [ II ]
• Drive for Results  [ II ] 

  Functional Competencies (Required)

• Analyzing [ II ]
• Applying technical expertise [ II ] 
• Planning and organizing [ II ]
• Following Instructions and Procedures [ II ]

Technical Knowledge

Specific Technical Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of SAP, contracting procedures, principles of preparing budgets and verification of expenditures.

Common Technical Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of Microsoft office, specifically Word, Excel and Powerpoint is required. Knowledge of  accounting principles and procedures would be an asset.

General knowledge of:

• Office administrative procedures.

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced

• Knowledge of VISION.

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

Qualification:      

Secondary School Education. University degree in any of the social sciences is an advantage. Familiarity with standard UNICEF programme monitoring and financial practices is desirable.

Experience:    

Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible programme and administrative experience, of which at least three years closely related to programme support logistics.  Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organizations is considered an asset.

Language Requirements:      

Excellent written and spoken English and working knowledge of Hindi required.

Remarks:  

• The position is based in Lucknow (India).
• Selected applicant will have a 364 days Temporary Appointment contract.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessment methods.
• UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc. UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment. 

 For more information about UNICEF India, please refer to the link below: - http://unicef.in

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