Re-advertisement: Temporary Appointment: Programme Assistant, (G-5), Tashkent, Uzbekistan #111044 (Open to Uzbekistan nationals only)

Under the close supervision and guidance of health officer, the programme assistant supports MCH project funded by Multi-partner Humanitarian Security Trust Fund for Aral Sea Regional in health section by carrying out a range of procedural, administrative, and operational tasks, to help develop, implement and monitor the project, ensuring timely and effective 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.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

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.

Job organizational context:

Uzbekistan's under 5 mortality rate decreased in recent decades largely due to the mortality reduction in the post-neonatal period. Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) reduced at a much slower pace, due in large part to demonstrable sub-standard quality of care. Although maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and stillbirth rate in Uzbekistan have reduced significantly, disparities between Aral Sea region and other regions of the country remain. Most deaths are preventable and/or can be effectively treated. Systemic reform efforts are needed to address health system challenges by upgrading the infrastructure, supplying essential equipment, and improving the quality of care.

Multi-partner Human Security Trust Fund will allocate fund to UNICEF to support Ministry of Health of Republic of Uzbekistan and Republic of Karakalpakstan in improvement of quality of perinatal care service to most vulnerable mothers and newborns in Aral sea region. The overall goal of this project is to support the Ministries of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (RoK) to ensure access of population to perinatal service by improving infrastructure and provision of essential equipment for secondary level perinatal referral facilities, and to improve quality of maternal and newborn health service. The project will cover 8 out of 15 districts including 3 districts that have most suffered from land degradation, reduction of biodiversity, climate change, deterioration of the health of the population. Annually, about 20,000 pregnant women and newborns will benefit from this project.

Purpose for the job:

Under the close supervision and guidance of health officer, the programme assistant supports MCH project funded by Multi-partner Humanitarian Security Trust Fund for Aral Sea Regional in health section by carrying out a range of procedural, administrative, and operational tasks, to help develop, implement and monitor the project, ensuring timely and effective delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.  

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

• Facilitating the processing of contracts for consultants, vendors and external partners that support the office in programme delivery. This includes preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TOR's in VISION, and making necessary logistical arrangements. Keeps vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters up-to-date.
• Collecting invoices and filing documents for approval and thereafter processing in VISION and Mycase.
• Preparing and maintaining records, documents and control plans for the monitoring of project implementation and financial expenditures.
• Supporting the management of administrative supplies and office equipment.
• Providing travel assistance to staff members in section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization's rules and policies. Liaising with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
• Preparing and maintaining records pertaining to programme planning and development for his/her respective section.
• Carrying 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.
• Supporting capacity development activities, meetings and conferences by making the logistical arrangements, through engaging with facilitators, caterers and hosts; arranging times through liaising with participants over availability; liaising with budget focal points and section over costs and needs; and preparing background materials for participants.
• Providing support to partners in developing of DCT and FACE form in line with UNICEF rules and financial guidelines based on Programme Staff request;
• Conducting HACT monitoring visits related to DCT implementation.

Impact of Results

S/He supports the section in the compilation and coordination of key work products, ensuring deadlines are met and that established rules and procedures are followed. The support provided by the programme assistant therefore creates the strongest possible administrative platform from which the country programme can then be delivered. The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the country office and success in the implementation of project/programme activities.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative policies and procedures.
• Strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint
• Strong office management skills.

Recruitment Qualifications  

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization. 
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative or clerical work experience is required.
• Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. Knowledge of Russian or Karakalpak is considered as an asset.

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….

Core Values:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

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)

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.