Programme Associate, (GS6), Lesvos, Greece #912349 Temporary Appointment (364 days) *Greek resident/nationals

UNICEF Greece Country Office is looking for a Programme Associate( Greek resident/nationals) to support the WASH Programme in Lesvos for a Temporary Appointment (364 days). Under the supervision of the Wash Specialist and the general guidance of the Deputy Representative, and in close cooperation with the UNICEF Greece Country Office overall programme team, the Programme Associate will support programme colleagues with procedural, administrative and operational tasks in line with UNICEF procedures, processes and policies. He/she will carry out a range of programme support functions to help develop, implement and monitor GCO programme/projects 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, [results]

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.

UNICEF became operational in Greece in early 2016 as an out posted team from the Regional Office of Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) to respond to the significant influx of refugee and migrant children and their families at that time. The response centered on a two-track approach covering direct service delivery as well as national capacity building through critical partnerships with governmental bodies, ministries, local authorities, civil society and NGOs and focused primarily on three main strategic sectors – child protection, education and child rights monitoring.

Following several years of engagement with national stakeholders, UNICEF and the Government of Greece made a decision in January 2020 to formalize the Fund’s presence in the country under the form of a Greece Country Office. This office falls under the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia located in Geneva, which supports the work of 21 Country Offices within its geographical scope, reporting in turn to global headquarters in New York. Within the framework of an expanded mandate for all children in Greece, UNICEF and Greece are moving towards an even greater collaboration and partnership in order to address the needs of all vulnerable, marginalized and left-behind children in the country.

On 9 September 2020, several fires broke out at the Moria Reception and Identification Center (RIC) located on the Greek island of Lesvos. The center, home to approximately 12,000 refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, 4,200 of whom children including over 400 unaccompanied minors, was severely damaged forcing people to flee for safety. To address the immediate needs of displaced migrants, a new temporary site has been established, where UNICEF engages in setting up emergency WASH infrastructure and provision of WASH services.

How can you make a difference?

The incumbent will be required to complete the following expected key tasks:

Support to programme development, planning and execution.

• Compiles data and information on subject matters relevant to the work of the programme team to facilitate preparation of reports, working papers, and presentations.  
• Prepares and maintains records pertaining to programme planning and development for the programme team.
• 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 revisions when necessary.
• Arranges meetings, workshops and training courses pertaining to programme development, and provides support in making the necessary logistical arrangements.
• Supports the formalization of implementing partnerships with government, civil society organizations and other implementing partners in line with relevant policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Supports the implementation of HACT in line with the HACT policy and procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines.   

Support to monitoring and reporting of programme results

• Monitors project implementation against established milestones and makes recommendations to improve performance.
• Provides support on budget revision/preparation, implementation status, determination position of funding utilization, operational, and financial closure.
• 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.
• Supports in conducting assurance activities to implementing partners.
• Prepares and maintains records, documents and control plans for the monitoring of project/programme implementation.
• Compiles and organizes 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. 

Support to Supply (Procurement & Logistics) & Admin

• Responsible for collecting invoices and filing documents for approval and, thereafter processing in VISION.
• Uploads electronic files and verifies results to destination system.
• Responds to client transaction status and other inquiries.
• Maintains up-to-date vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters.
• Assist with logistics arrangements and liaises internally and externally to ensure supplies for programme implementation are delivered in a timely and accurate manner.
• Support  UNICEF Contract Managers in monitoring and reporting of the progress of deliverables
• Facilitate needs of UNICEF Lesvos workspace (office administration)

Travel

• Provides travel assistance to staff members for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies.
• Briefs/de-briefs staff members on issues relating to related administrative matters such as visas, security clearance, and documentation procedures. 
• Processes all travel related transactions in VISION.
• Assists in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintain travel plan and budgetary control records.
• Monitors travel certification and report back to the team.

Support in knowledge Management and capacity building

• Gathers and shares information as needed in support of improving the processes and daily operations of the programme team.
• Supports capacity development activities related to performance monitoring, programme development, and related internal UNICEF systems/tools by drafting necessary correspondence, compiling data reports and maintaining relevant records.  

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

• Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the                organization.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible administrative or clerical work experience is required.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English and in Greek is required. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The competencies required for this post are...

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing (2)
• Learning and Researching (2)
• Planning and Organizing (2)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (2)

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

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.