Programme and Administrative Associate

Thirteen years after the end of the armed conflict, Sri Lanka has not returned to active conflict and has remained a largely peaceful country. However, stresses on peace and social cohesion remain, including new fault lines, exacerbated by the Easter Bombings of 2019, the current economic crisis and the legacy of the armed conflict which are not yet fully addressed. While a return to armed conflict is not viewed as a near-term risk, Sustaining Peace requires continuous engagement in addressing existing challenges, improving governance and social cohesion, as well as the robust monitoring of emerging risks. There has been a growing recognition of the need to systematically mainstream conflict sensitive approaches into all programme activities in the country.
In this context, the UN in Sri Lanka has in recent years continued to invest in a wide portfolio of peacebuilding priorities, including those supported by the UN Peace Building Fund. Among the peacebuilding priorities has been developing a deep contextual analysis of emerging risks such as climate security and land use, organized crime, and the impact of online hate speech that would support the Secretary General’s global agenda on Prevention.
Looking ahead, the main instruments to advance these priorities will be the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 and the UN SDG Multi Partner Trust Fund. Through increased coordination around these two mechanisms, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) is expected to significantly increase integrated approaches and joint programming in support of Sustaining Peace and more broadly, SDG 16

The Position will provide programme and administrative support services to the Senior Human Rights Adviser and the team within the UN RCO. Furthermore, the Position will support documentation and reporting activities.

Supports implementation and delivery of programme and advisory activities of the SHRA particularly in relation to monitoring and reporting functions • Provides support for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions;

• Provides support for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions;

• Supports with the preparation and the implementation of work plans, progress reports, project reviews, financial reports and evaluation reports.

• Supports coordination efforts with UN agencies, development partners and other partners, in particular in relation to the implementation of the HRDDP;

• Supports maintenance of up-to-date files and records of all project documentation;

• Ensure the timely and smooth coordination in the implementation of work, working in coordination with relevant UN RCO and external agency team members supporting operations, financial resources management, human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services to ensure successful and timely operationalization of projects and programmes.

2.) Provides coordination and logistical support to the SHRA

• Participates in field missions when required, including provision of administrative and substantive support and data collection.

• Participates in meetings, workshops, seminars organized by the UN RCO or partners as required and document key content.

3.) Provides key administrative support to the SHRA

• Conducts quality verification of all administrative products of the team before submission for the approval of the SHRA. Ensures UN and UNDP administrative processes, rules and regulations are adhered to and liaises as appropriate with relevant staff in the UN RCO, and other UN agencies for this purpose.

• Provides administrative, logistical and documentation support for meetings, workshops, missions, events, conferences, and travel in coordination with relevant officials and colleagues; • Assists with the drafting of correspondence to partners and officials as well as other responses to external requests;

• Provides accurate and timely information on processes and pending issues to the supervisor;