Programme Associate, GS-6, Fixed Term, ROSA, Kathmandu, Nepal #52379 (Open to Nepalese Nationals only)

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 fulfil 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, a future,

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, advocacy and 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 favouritism. 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 fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore 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.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the programme associate supports the respective section (s) by carrying out a range of programme support functions to help develop, implement and monitor their programme, 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

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Administrative support:

• Oversee all procurement for equipment, supplies and services for supporting section including, but not limited to, checking available of vendors, obtaining quotations, and finalising contracting.
• Process travel authorization in VISION obtaining approvals through SharePoint and using appropriate funding sources.
• Maintain updated telephone tree for supporting section.

Financial support:

• Regularly monitoring budgets and financial expenditures of the section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, and keeping the supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow-up.
• Prepare monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Assist in preparing periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to regional office and donors to support the office in optimizing the use of programme funds.
• Assist in planning fund utilization according to work plan activities and support the Sections in managing funds.
• Carry 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.
• Carry 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.
• Provide support with cost estimation for the procurement of services (consultancy) and equipment.
• Process timely payment requests to ROSA finance.

Human Resource support:

• In coordination with ROSA HR, lead the finalization of TOR/Low-Value Contract providing inputs on funding sources, budget estimation, and checking availability of candidates from the roster.
• Create PRQs (for individual consultancy) and FCs (low-value contracts, interns, UNVs) and obtain approval using appropriate funding sources.
• In coordination with ROSA HR, ensure contracts/offers are issued before the contract start date.
• Support with no-cost extension or cost-based extension with required documents submitted to HR in a timely manner.

Knowledge management and partnership support:

• Review information available in the VISION Performance Management system and grant utilization report to monitor FC, FR, PREQs, status of DCT payment and its liquidation, utilization of funds, status of POs (institutional and individual consultant contracts) including low-value contracts, processing vendor registration (MDM) including updates.
• Maintain and store all documents/files section-wise/year-wise and uploads/updates in ROSA ECM (Enterprise Content Management).
• Update section-wise contact/mailing list including respective section colleagues from the South Asia country office and update NYHQ.
• Provide briefings to new staff members/consultants/contractors/interns/UNVs in the section.
• Provide support in drafting SSFA, programme documents, work plans, and non-PRC submission forms for partnership with IPs and CSOs. Provides guidance to implementing partners on FACE form submission.
• Supporting the programme section in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations

Others:

• Undertake other key responsibilities as required

Skills Required

• In-depth knowledge of the administration which underpins UNICEF regional office programme/project operations, including monitoring and evaluation processes.
• 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.
• Strong office management skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage the section’s material resources and monitor its budget.
• Good analytical skills.
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint

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

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.
• Experience: A minimum of six years of administrative or clerical work experience is required. Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language 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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• 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)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. 

Remarks:

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.