Programme Associate – Child Protection (GS-6), #129122, FT, Geneva – Switzerland, ECARO

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, hope

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) supports Country Offices and Governments to advance towards the full realization of all child rights across the region, with country offices in 22 countries and territories to ensure that no child is left behind. The Regional Office plays both a technical advisory and oversight role, guiding country offices in designing, implementing and documenting results for children.

Located in Geneva, Switzerland, this FT post of Programme Associate (GS-6) is part of the Child Protection team of ECARO, which provides technical assistance and support for Child Protection section annual work plan design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of planned activities and outputs, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of section goals and objectives.

How can you make a difference?

In this context and under the supervision and guidance of the Regional Adviser Child Protection (P5), the Programme Associate (GS-6) supports the respective section by carrying out a range of programme support functions to help develop, implement and monitor their programme activities, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.  The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the RO, external partners and agency counterparts in support of programme design and delivery. S/He provides regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track. The key deliverables include:

• Participation in effective knowledge management of regional office support / information to strengthen country programme management and activities, including important information sharing/exchanges of best practice.
• Effective support to implementing changes in regional programme work plans, balancing programming and partnership priorities.
• Effective monitoring of programme funds for optimum use.
• Conducting Programme monitoring across the RO Child Protection Section to improve programme performance, synergies, partnerships and effective use of resources (both human and financial).
• Provide support to build and reinforce commitment and institutional capacities of regional office partners and CO partners as relevant.
• Support as required programme implementation and oversight to multi-country and country specific regional office engagement.
• Provide assistance to enhance effective communication and networking through partnership and collaboration.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs), and making amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants and programme-related items for his/her section including but not limited to registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants.
• Preparing monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Regularly monitoring budgets and financial expenditures of section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up.
• Helping prepare periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to country office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds.
• Support capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises, as applicable.
• Provision of comprehensive administrative support to the Section.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.
• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant work experience in executive, administrative and/or programme support is required.
• Prior experience in programme support functions will be prioritized.
• Prior hands-on experience in effectively managing the financial resources of an office / section and monitoring as well as analyzing the budget use and utilization is required.
• Hands on experience with an ERM System (i.e. VISION/SAP) is required.
• Experience with Budget and Data Analytics, Key Performance Indicators and Data Visualization is required.
• Knowledge of technological platforms, particularly SharePoint and Enterprise-Content Management (ECM) systems as is an asset.
• Experience of raising and administering consultant contracts and applicable UN/UNICEF policies and procedures is desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of the UNICEF programme operations, including monitoring and evaluation, budget and travel processes is a significant asset.
• Prior hands-on experience of working in a UNICEF country office or operation is a distinct asset
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is desirable.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is desirable.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities is required.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment with strong office management skills is required.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Proficiency in English, written and verbal, is required. Working knowledge of another official UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) and/or regional language as needed to perform the role is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category. You should be in possession of this at the time of application to be considered further for this General Service post.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.