Programme Associate

Contract

This is a SB-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Service Board / Service Contract. It is normally only for nationals. More about SB-3 contracts.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN-Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. In Sierra Leone, women have played critical role in harnessing peace during the 11 years’ war. They contributed to bringing democratic rule in the country and to the restoration of peace. In 1995, the Sierra Leone Women Movement for Peace in collaboration with other women’s groups galvanized support for democracy through the Bintumani one and two, calling for elections before peace and negotiating with rebel leaders 17. These conferences were held with relevant stakeholders, government, CSOs, traditional leaders, women groups, from national and sub-national levels The consultations contributed to the conduct of four successful general elections (2002, 2007, 2012 and 2018). Their active involvement through the Elections Situation Room (ESR) in the 2012 and 2018 as a crucial conflict prevention and conflict resolution mechanism have reinforced the pivotal role that women play in peacebuilding. An emerging wave of young feminist groups such as Girl Empower Sierra Leone, Girl-Up initiative have become critical thought leaders in influencing behaviors, practices and shaping ideologies for promoting women’s participation in politics and in protecting women and girls from gender-based violence. Leveraging on media platforms, they have contributed to shaping the social media platforms to promoting girls’ leadership and voice in political and public spaces.

The role of CSOs and women groups in the prevention of conflicts, peacebuilding and promotion of women’s political participation have been monumental and well documented in Sierra Leone. Their response to the civil war, the peacebuilding processes and democratic governance has been prominent in ushering in a democratically elected government. Their active involvement through the Elections Situation Room (ESR) in the 2012 and 2018 as a crucial conflict prevention and conflict resolution mechanism have reinforced the pivotal role that women play in peacebuilding. Relying and drawing inspiration from UN Security Council resolution (S/RES/1325) on women and peace and security passed in October 2000, women CSOs have contributed to women political participation, actively demanding affirmative action for equal representation in all spheres of life and advocating for legal reforms that promote and protect women's rights. In this context, UN Women, UNDP, and World Vision proposal is seeking to implement the project to promote and sustain Women-Focused

CSOs, facilitate shared objectives, joint planning, and monitoring for women political participation, conflict prevention and peacebuilding during the next general elections in 2023 in Sierra Leone

Reporting to the Head of Office, the Programme Associate works with and provides support to the members of the Programme Team in the development and implementation of effective programmes consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Programme Associate contributes to research, financial management, and programme implementation including providing necessary operational, administrative, and programmatic support. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the Sierra Leone Country Office and UN Women HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide administrative and logistical support to the formulation and management of programmes

• Provide administrative support in the preparation of programme work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements.
• Provide technical guidance to the Country Office and executing agencies on routine delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances.
• Prepare information for the audit of programmes/ projects and support implementation of audit recommendations.
• Review programme data from programmes/ projects for the Country Office website.
• Identify sources, gather and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines, speeches and position papers.

Provide administrative support to the financial management of the Programme Unit

• Create projects in Quantum, prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of a project.
• Provide administrative support in monitoring budget preparation and the finances of programmes/projects, including the finalization of FACE forms.
• Review financial reports; prepare non-PO vouchers for development projects.
• Process payment for consultants.
• Maintain internal expenditures control system.
• Create requisitions in Quantum for development projects; register good receipts in Quantum.
• Assist in the preparation and follow up of cost-recovery bills in Quantum.

Provide administrative support to the Programme Unit

• Undertake all logistical, administrative, and financial arrangements for organization for meetings, workshops, events, and missions.
• Make travel arrangements for the Programme Team, including travel requisitions and claims.
• Prepare public information materials and briefing packets.
• Assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations.

Provide administrative support to Resource Mobilization

Provide administrative support to the organization of training for the office staff and partners on programme and operations related issues.

• Prepare cost-sharing and other agreements; follow up on contributions within the Country Office resource mobilization efforts.
• Organize, compile and process information from donors, for the office and programme team, as inputs to various databases and documents.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

• Provide administrative support synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices related to programme management and finance.
• . Key Performance Indicators:
• Timely and accurate support to events, workshops, and missions.
• Full compliance of administrative activities with UN Women rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Timely recording of overall programme unit finances.
• Timely and accurate tracking of data for CO management and donor purposes.
• Quality maintenance of internal systems

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

• Good knowledge of programme management.
• Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions.
• Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats.
• Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence and reports information and workflow.
• Strong financial and budgeting skills.
• Strong IT skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Completion of secondary education required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or public Administration is an asset.

Experience:

• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages.
• Experience in supporting a team.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and any local languages is required.
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.