Programme Assistant, GS-5, Fixed Term, Polio Eradication Programme, Geneva, Switzerland

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 7,230 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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 childhood

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. 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 fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries.

In 1988 UNICEF joined the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to end polio by reaching every child with safe oral polio vaccine. When GPEI was launched, polio was paralyzing 350,000 children every year in 125 countries. Today, thanks to the global effort for polio eradication, polio is endemic in only two countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan).

The polio outbreak workstream of the UNICEF Global Polio Team provides oversight, quality assurance, technical assistance and knowledge management to country offices in the field, with particular emphasis on communication for social and behavior change and vaccine management within the outbreak response and preparedness context.

How can you make a difference?

As Programme Assistant, you will support the Polio Outbreak Response team in Geneva by carrying out a range of procedural, administrative, secretarial and operational tasks, to help develop, implement and monitor the programme, ensuring timely and effective delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

• Assist in basic research, drafting of presentations, statements, day-to-day correspondences and memos. Prioritize and track the schedule of meetings and respond to information queries in person or by telephone or e-mail.
• Receive, review and route incoming correspondence and on behalf of the supervisor follow up on actions taken by other members of unit.
• Arrange for the Senior Programme Manager’s participation in internal and external meetings, conferences and visits to UNICEF regional and country offices, and prepare background information and briefings on sponsoring offices and institution as required.
• Arrange for telephone/video conferences, workshops and face-to-face meetings. Co-ordinate logistical arrangements, i.e., travel, conference facilities, amenities and secretarial assistance.
• Arrange travel for the unit using online bookings tools to set-up itinerary, requesting visa, security and medical clearance, hotel booking and ground transportation.
• Maintain travel plan, certifications in VISION in coordination with travel unit, manage travel arrangements including preparation of TAs, processing of itinerary, visas, health and security clearances and other related work for travel of professional staff, and for consultants, as necessary.
• Act as Focal person for administrative and personnel issues for the team. Monitor and follow-up on personnel-related matters pertaining to Polio staff and consultants
• Process all invoices for staff members, consultants, vendors and institutional contracts
• Assist in the preparation and processing of individual and institutional contracts, internship arrangements, TA and FT paperwork as required ensuring that the Terms of Reference, and other required background documentation are in order, including using correct budget codes and ensuring availability of funding.
• Provide support in preparation of interviews for recruitment and liaise with Polio Operations Assistant in NYHQ to ensure supporting documentation is in order.
• Assist in preparation of Annual Work Plans budget, flag any deviations from agreed plans and coordinate with the Operations Assistant and Polio Finance team in NYHQ, as needed.

• Monitor and update the financial commitments and expenditures against the budget within Cross-Sectoral Areas such as travel, contracts, and meeting expenditures in coordination with NYHQ team.

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

• Completed Secondary Education (i.e. High School Diploma), preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in an administrative/clerical capacity is required.
• Working knowledge of UNICEF programme policies and administrative and financial procedures is desirable.
• Advanced computer literacy and the ability to effectively use standard office software tools (MS Office, Enterprise database) and other office technology to create documentation, exchange and archive e-mail, and maintain electronic filing systems is highly desirable.
• Applicants must be in possession of an existing valid visa/work permit or be a resident/citizen of Switzerland or within commuting distance to be considered eligible for this position.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

This position is subject to local recruitment. Candidates must be in possession of an existing valid visa/work permit or be a resident/citizen of Switzerland or within commuting distance to be considered eligible for this position.

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