Programme Associate, GS6, Geneva (#15423), Europe & Central Asia Regional Office

Under the supervision and guidance of the Regional Adviser, Child Protection, the programme associate supports the respective sections by carrying out a range of procedural, administrative, and operational tasks to help develop, implement and monitor their country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

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 Regional Adviser, Child Protection, the programme associate supports the respective sections by carrying out a range of procedural, administrative, and operational tasks to help develop, implement and monitor their country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. 

How can you make a difference?

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

The various functions will include:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Support to programme development, planning and execution
• Support to monitoring and reporting of programme results
• Support to specialized service
• Support in knowledge management and capacity building
• Administrative support

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 sections to facilitate preparation of reports, working papers and presentations. 
•          Drafts project documents, work plans, budgets, and 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 sections’ 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 both sections, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up. Tracks expiring programme grants.
•          Researches, analyzes, verifies, and synthesizes data and information to assist in the preparation of progress or final financial reports relating to Regional office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds.

3. Support to specialized service

•          Based on the sections’ work plan and related annual priorities in the region, facilitates the process of engaging consultants and institutions.
•          Identifies solutions to a range of complex administrative and contracting issues in compliance with existing rules and procedures and/or using good judgement to find alternative solutions.
•          Raises contract requisitions and payment requests.

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 programme processes and procedures which aim to build capacity of stakeholders.

5. Administrative support

•          Manages and adapts as necessary a system for the coordination planning and execution of the sections’ staff agendas, meetings and travel abroad. Organizes full travel process from brief instructions.
•          Helps sections’ team receive guests and colleagues, which may include arrangement of hotel, flight bookings and contacts with other staff and organizational units.
•          Acts as attendance focal point for the sections. Updates monthly attendance worksheets. Screens calls and sets appointments, handles enquiries. Helps direct attention to priority actions and reminds the sections' team of matters scheduled for action. Provides backup in the absence of other assistants in the RO.

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

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.
• A minimum of six years of programmatic and administrative/operational experience is required.
• Relevant working experience in Europe and Central Asia region is highly desirable
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French, Russian or any other region used languages is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and experience with SAP is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in MS-Excel (pivot tables, graphs and charts, monitoring reports, etc.) is highly desirable.

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.

The competencies required for this post are, Analyzing, Applying technical expertise, Planning and organizing, Following Instructions and Procedures.

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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