Programme Assistant
Support the design, planning and management of maternal and newborn health programs.
Overview
Support the design, planning and management of maternal and newborn health programs.
You have:
- Experience in designing, planning, monitoring, and delivery of technical assistance programs/projects.
- Experience in working with health authorities is an asset.
- Good background knowledge on development issues and/or areas related to the UNFPA mandate, particularly sexual and reproductive health.
- Excellent writing, editing, desk research and verbal communication skills.
- Good knowledge of visual design and layout development for information materials is desirable.
- Proficiency in MS Office package, Google applications, and teleconferencing tools.
- Experience of working at or with a UN agency or experience with other international organizations is an asset.
- Excellent self-organization and proactive attitude to work.
- Good research and analytical skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize workload.
- Good interpersonal, networking, presentation, and communication skills.
- Experience of working for international projects of technical assistance (will be an advantage).
- Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team.
- Flexible and open to learning and new experiences.
- Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments, and living conditions.
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.
UNFPA Uzbekistan is implementing the Joint Programme under Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund (ISHONCH) “Window A. Maternal and Perinatal Care: Every Mother and Child Survives and Thrives: Reducing Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths in 227 Perinatal Centers of Uzbekistan”. This Joint Programme addresses the underlying causes driving maternal and newborn deaths in 227 perinatal centres as identified in the United Nations Common Country Analysis: Uzbekistan (2021) as well as recent sector reviews such as the World Bank’s 2022 Public Expenditure Review, the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Feasibility Assessment for Perinatal Care (2022) and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2022). The programme rationale is in line with Uzbekistan's Development Strategy for 2022-2026, the Government of Uzbekistan’s Action Plan on Maternal and Child Health 2022-2026, and Output 4.1 from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF).
The objective of the joint programme is to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths by 2025 by: • Strengthening MOH’s and the 227 perinatal centers’ governance mechanisms (including inter-sectoral and multipartner coordination), policies, guidelines, and clinical protocols; • Improving the capacity of 227 perinatal centers to provide quality and inclusive reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health (RMNCAH) services; and • Empowering 10 million people with the knowledge to demand quality and inclusive guaranteed RMNCAH services. The implementation period of the project is from 2023 to 2025. We need a strong professional who is innovative, committed to excellence and keen to transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. The National UN Volunteer will contribute to different strands of the Programme, supporting the design, planning and management of by providing and managing data inputs, providing logistical support and monitoring programme implementation.
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the National Programme Specialist, SRH/HIV, the Programme Assistant will: • Assist in arranging programme activities, support designated project portfolio in preparation of documents and materials, arrange venues, help in the preparation of the presentations, preparing draft minutes, etc. • Provide support in monitoring IP delivery of activities as per the agreed work plans and provide technical support with the review of IP reports whenever requested. • Assist in conducting monitoring visits and evaluation meetings and missions. • Provide support in developing and updating the designated project documents, budgets, and reports by collecting information, preparing tables, presentations etc. • Assist with program-related procurement of services/goods and ensure that procurement is in accordance with UNFPA Procurement Procedures: assist in collecting supporting documents, obtaining price quotations and preparing comparative tables; etc. whenever requested. • Provide technical and logistics support in communication and awareness raising activities; assist in documenting best practices, stories of change, and success stories of the portfolio; assist in producing media and presentation materials. • Translate and draft letters and other programme documents, as well as provide oral translation as may be assigned by the Country Office management.
Results/Expected outputs: As a UNFPA team member, the Project Assistant will provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support to UNFPA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions; • Application of established systems and procedures in the implementation of program activities; • Assistance in the creation of knowledge through the collection, synthesis, and analysis of information related to program issues;
Furthermore, UN Volunteer is 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 Volunteer should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen his/her knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking 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.; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organisations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management
● Experience in designing, planning, monitoring, and delivery of technical assistance programs/projects; ● Experience in working with health authorities is an asset; ● Good background knowledge on development issues and /or areas related to the UNFPA mandate, particularly sexual and reproductive health, organizing training for health professionals and health response to GBV is an asset; ● Excellent writing, editing, desk research and verbal communication skills; ● Good knowledge of visual design and layout development for information materials is desirable; ● Proficiency in MS Office package, Google applications, and teleconferencing tools; ● Experience of working at or with a UN agency or experience other international organizations is an asset. ● Excellent self-organization and proactive attitude to work; ● Good research and analytical skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize workload; ● Good interpersonal, networking, presentation, and communication skills; ● Experience of working for international projects of technical assistance (will be an advantage); • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments, and living conditions.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.
UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos) and use the entitlement calculator (https://app.unv.org/calculator) for the most up to date information
• Volunteer Living Allowance USD 923/month • Entry lump sum (one-time payment) USD 400 • Travel Ticket when moving to duty station USD 200 • Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract) • Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance
Leave entitlements: • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Certified sick leave: 30 days • Uncertified sick leave: 7 days • Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months • Maternity Leave: 16 weeks • Paternity Leave: 10 days
The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service
• You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. • The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.
Potential interview questions
Can you describe your experience with monitoring and evaluation of health programs? | The interviewer wants to assess your practical knowledge in program evaluation. | Share specific examples from your past work related to health programs. |
How do you ensure effective communication within a team? | The interviewer is interested in your communication style and teamwork approach. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
What strategies would you use to engage communities in health initiatives? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Describe your experience in preparing project documents and reports. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
How do you prioritize your tasks when managing multiple deadlines? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Can you give examples of how you've adapted to cultural differences in your work? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
What is your understanding of UNFPA's mandate regarding maternal health? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
How would you handle a challenge in a collaborative project? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |