Programme Associate, GS6, Freetown, Sierra Leone, #127364 [Temporary Appointment] – Open only to Sierra Leoneans

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, a future.

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief of Planning and Monitoring, the programme associate supports the Planning & Monitoring Section to carry out a range of programme support functions helping to develop, implement, and monitor the country 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 country office, external partners, and agency counterparts in support of programme design and delivery. S/He provides regular feedback on the status of projects and programme through monitoring milestones and advises improvements to keep activities on track. She/He provides timely support to produce weekly and periodic SLCO Key Performance Indicators for adequate SLCO management accountability and she/he supports adequate preparation of the organization of Capacity Building Training Workshops, Programme Review Meetings with partners and Reporting.

SUMMARY OF KEY FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Facilitating the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) by providing information and drafting selected sections of it.
• Facilitate the organization of programme review with GoSL counterparts, the development of annual workplans and interactions with Partners and production of reports of reviews and minutes of meetings.
• 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.
• Supporting capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.
• Updating internal databases for research and evaluation exercises.
• Coordinating preparation and execution of workshops and special events. Ensuring the timely and accurate recording and administrative processing of government & NGO’s proposals and requests for direct cash transfers (DCTs).
• Conducting programme monitoring in UNICEF focus districts for cash and supplies and informing team-members on the status.
• Helping conduct regular spot checks of partner’s projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls and reporting systems.
• Monitoring and tracking the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.
• 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.

Please see attached ToR for detailed information.  VA TOR – Programme Associate, GS6, TA.pdf

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

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.
• A minimum of six years of administrative or clerical work experience is required. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position can substitute for three years of required experience. A master’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position can substitute for five years of required experience.
• Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Krio and other local languages of Sierra Leone is considered as 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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. 

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 that 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.