Senior Programme Associate, GS7, Maiduguri, Nigeria #105535 (Vacancy for Nigerian 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 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, results.

[Include information about the country/specific programme. Ideally include a link to a video]

How can you make a difference?

The Senior Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the office, 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.

• Supporting the Front Office and programme sections 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 Field Office to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.
• Serving as the senior liaison Programme Associate between the Front Office, Programme, Operation and Security Sections, external stakeholders and all relations activities.
• Drafts project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
• Facilitating the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) by providing information and drafting selected sections of it. 
• 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.
• Preparation of minutes, and progress of weekly, monthly and annual meetings and action trackers for communications to internal and external stakeholders.
• Arranging and effective management of complex and detailed office-wide travel plans, itineraries and agendas, compiling documents, briefing notes and travel and related meetings and events, including setting up and engage in the smooth running of meetings, making effective use of visual aids and multi-media technology.
• Preparation and composing correspondences, acknowledgement letters on behalf of the Chief of Field Office and effectively communicating with stakeholders and other external relations on her/his behalf as requested.
• 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 field office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds.
• Supports capacity development activities related to performance monitoring, programme development, and related internal UNICEF systems/tools by preparing training materials and participating on exercises pertaining to program processes and procedures which aim to build capacity of stakeholders.
• Coordinate other Programme Associate(s) to ensure synergy and efficiency of their work and build their capacity as needed.

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

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by a technical or university degree related to the work of the organization.
• A minimum of 7 years of administrative/clerical work experience, two of which at the senior level, is required.
• Prior experience in programme support functions is highly desirable.
• Relevant work experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge and use of the local language, i.e., Hausa and Kanuri, at the duty station is considered as an asset.

Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of the administration which underpins UNICEF country and field 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 office’s material resources and monitor its budget
• Good analytical skills
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software and other technology such as SharePoint, Teams, Zoom, and Webex.

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. 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 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.