EVAW Programme Associate (Opened for Moldova Nationals Only)

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women’s presence in the Republic of Moldova has evolved from being a project-based office in 2007 to a Country Office with full delegated authority as of 2015. Currently, UN Women Moldova Country Office is  implementing its Strategic Note (SN) for 2018-2022, which is aligned with the Republic of Moldova-United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018-2022 and the Global Strategic Plan of UN Women.  The SN 2018-2022 aims at advancing progress under the following three Impact Areas (IA): IA1: More women from diverse groups fully participate and lead in governance processes and institutions, IA2: Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy, IA3: Public authorities, institutions and communities prevent violence against women and girls and deliver quality essential services.

Under the impact on preventing violence against women and girls and delivery of quality essential services, UN Women will contribute to the realization of the Outcome: Parliament and Government adopt and implement laws, policies and strategies to prevent violence against women and girls and deliver quality essential services, which is planned to be implemented via three inter-connected outputs: Output 1: Public institutions have capacities to apply international norms and standards in developing and implementing laws, policies and services towards eliminating VAW, Output 2: Target communities and institutions, including in the field of education, have knowledge and tools to combat stereotypes and gender discrimination and advance favorable social norms that prevent VAW and Output 3: Women and girls, especially from excluded groups, have knowledge and skills to exercise their rights to essential services.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Associate will work under guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Analyst on Ending Violence Against Women to ensure smooth running of portfolio initiatives, provision of administrative and some programatic services of the highest quality and standards to the UN Women Country Office, as well as national beneficiaries and stakeholders. In addition, the Programme Associate will assist Programme Analyst and Programme Officer and other personnel in implementation of day-to-day activities, as required.

The Programme Associate will apply and promote the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UN Women programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

1. Provide support to the formulation and implementation of the Programme portfolio:

• Provide operational inputs and administrative support in the preparation of Programme and Country Office Annual Work Plans, programme/project budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and tracking of the delivery of funds;
• Provide operational guidance and administrative support to the responsible/implementing parties on project implementation, including narrative and financial reporting to UN Women ;
• Provide administrative support for the audit of programmes/ projects and support implementation of audit recommendations; 
• Identify sources, gather and compile data and information for and draft internal documents, guidelines, speeches, concept notes and position papers, in collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams;
• Act as primary contact for operational aspects within programme team and liaise with relevant internal and external counterparts for getting additional clarifications/guidance.

2. Provide support to the financial management of Programme portfolio:

• Provide technical support in preparation and  monitoring of programmes/projects budgets in line with UN Women policies/procedures and donor requirements. , Create projects in Atlas, prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of a project;
• Ensure tracking of expenditures and revenue for the programme/projects, prepare regular expenditure/financial plans and reports, initiate corrections, provide advice on financial delivery projections;
• Verify financial documents from programme partners, including those for cash advances’ payment and clearance;
• Prepare documents for payments, create vouchers within the authorities aligned to the Internal Control Framework (ICF).

3. Provide operational support to the Programme portfolio:

• Provide inputs and draft Terms of Reference and technical specifications for procurement of goods and services for programme implementation, prepare lists of needs and draft analysis for procurement plan, conduct market research;

• Initiate procurement and recruitment processes in line with UN Women procedures, and coordinates with relevant parties the completion of these processes;
• Maintain communication with vendors upon contract signature, coordinates delivery of good/services, maintain records on receipt and distribution of goods, ensure proper documentation of processes, monitor contractors’ performance;
• Undertake logistical, administrative and financial arrangements for organization of meetings, workshops, events, and missions;
• Make travel and transportation arrangements for the Programme Team and partners or beneficiaries, ensuring processing of travel-related payments;
• Provide support in coordination of other Programme personnel (interns, consultants, other administrative personnel);
• Assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations, in collaboration with the Programme team; draft minutes of the meetings, as delegated, and maintain follow up communication after events/meetings;
• Organize, compile, and archive/upload to internal databases documentation on programme implementation processes; maintain filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials; maintain mailing lists.

4. Provide administrative support to partnership and resource mobilization:

• Organize, compile, and process documentation and information from donors, and programme team as inputs to various databases and documents.
• Assist with communication with various stakeholders, Programme’s partners and beneficiaries.
• Provide support in collecting inputs and materials on lessons learnt and knowledge management within Programme area and operational aspects. 

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and accurate support to events, workshops, and missions;
• Full compliance of administrative activities with UN Women rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Timely recording of overall programme unit finances;
• Timely and accurate tracking of data for CO management and donor purposes;
• Quality maintenance of internal systems.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies

• Ability to perform a broad range of specialized activities aimed at effective and efficient functioning of the Programme unit including logistical support;
• Ability to provide input to business process re-engineering, elaboration and implementation of new data management systems;
• Creates, edits and presents information in clear and presentable formats, using appropriate IT functionality;
• Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities;
• Ability to establish, build and sustain effective relationships with clients, demonstrating understanding of client's perspective; anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• University degree in Business, Public Administration, Programme/Project Management, International Development, Human Rights or in the field of social sciences or other relevant field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 (four) years of experience with administrative and financial work, project management support or related experience in development filed;
• Substantive knowledge of and experience on gender equality and women's empowerment will be considered an advantage;
• Experience with application of Results-Based Management (RBM) to programme/project cycle will represent an asset;
• Experience in the UN system and agencies, international and development assistance organizations is an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both oral and written English and Romanian is required as well as working knowledge of Russian;
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.