Programme Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Programme Assistant receives guidance from more senior programme staff and may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Programme Assistant.

The incumbent is expected to have contacts within the organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners and other stakeholders to collect information, monitor programme activities and implement administrative requirements. S/he is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Program Associate or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Program Assistant will:

• Provide administrative assistance and support in routine services and activities within Programme. • Assist in organizing and documenting the selection of partners in accordance with the policy on selection and retention of partners, ensuring due diligence to meet the requirements of projects. • Provide support to ensure partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures included in the framework for implementing with partners. • Guided by the multi-functional team (MFT) approach, contribute to monitoring activities implemented through partnerships and those under direct implementation in line with Programme Manual and programming instructions. • Assist in ensuring compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits. • Use UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g. Focus Client, Global Focus Insight and FOCUS Reader, MSRP) for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis. • Actively contribute to UNHCR’s programming of community of practice and to the improvement of programming tools and processes. • Perform other duties as required.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Program support/assistance

The position is based in Mopti, an `E' category Non-family duty station. Its climate is hot, dry and dusty, the average annual temperature is about 40 °C . The medical facilities are very limited. International United Nations staff members and affiliate workforce including UN Volunteers have access to primary health care at the MINUSMA Camp in Mopti. For security reasons, local markets, places of worship, playgrounds, entertainment and other gathering places are not recommended. Several Banking services are available in Mopti, the main currency of transaction being XOF. Possibilities of accommodation renting are relatively limited in particular because of the security aspects. There is one hotel facility approved by UNDSS and MINUSMA Guest House. UNHAS and MINUSMA are providing flight support to liaise with Bamako. Security: Generally the likelihood of security incidents is high in related area in the countryside especially outside the city. The security situation is marked by an upsurge in crime in almost all the communes located in the Mopti region. This criminality represents a fertile ground for radical armed group members who systematically exercise violence against the populations.

On a 1 to 6 overall security level scale, the security level in Mopti is assessed as high (security level 5) in most areas. There are Security Risk Management measures in place: national staff and national UN Volunteers must request and receive security clearance for official travel. Armoured vehicles are available for movements outside Mopti.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.