Programme Associate (GS-6), Programme Group - Education (UNGEI), New York HQ, 364 days

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

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, education...

UNGEI is a global partnership for gender equality in and through education. Our mandate is to catalyze and galvanize action locally, nationally, regionally and global for girls’ education and gender equality in education. We bring together diverse partners to support Ministries of Education and other national actors to develop and implement bold commitments to gender equality in education. We convene regional global conversations and action for girls’ education and gender equality in education, including through the leadership of young feminist activists around the world. UNGEI partners include multilaterals, regional umbrella and intergovernmental organizations, national and global civil society organizations and young feminist leaders.

The UNGEI Secretariat is governed by UNICEF policies of employment. We strive to uphold feminist and anti-racist principles in how we work and offer flexible work arrangements.

The Gender at the Centre Initiative (GCI) is a multi-stakeholder initiative to promote gender equality in and through education in 8 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It is jointly coordinated by UNGEI and IIEP-UNESCO. GCI works with Ministries of Education in the 8 partner countries, a CSO Consortium, technical partners and donors to collectively take action for gender equality in education.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision and guidance of the GCI Lead, and in close collaboration with the GCI Project Manager and the UNGEI Programme Associate, the Programme Associate will support the GCI team with administrative and operational services. The Programme Associate will be responsible for the administrative management of institutional contracts, PCAs and contracts with consultants, fund transfers to CSOs and UNICEF country offices, logistical support of in-country activities, manage travel for GCI staff, and other related tasks. She/he/they will be responsible for executing a broad variety of routine tasks and some specialized for GCI.

Fund Monitoring

• Monitors financial expenditures of the GCI team, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision/follow up.
• In close collaboration with the GCI Project Manager, provides support on budget revision/preparation, implementation status, determination position of funding utilization, operational, and financial closure.
• Prepares and maintains records, documents and control plans for the budget monitoring of project/programme implementation.

• Carries out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants for his/her section such as registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants.

  Grant Management

• Facilitates establishing and processing contracts with donors.

• Complies with UNICEF procedures to meet internal donor deadlines for interim and final narrative donor reports.
• Works with Public Partnerships Division for amending grant agreements and extending grants in UNICEF’s system via no cost extensions and extensions with additional funding.

Procurement

• Guides managers in the process of PCA/SSAs in line with the policies and guidance issued by FRG, supply division and DHR.
• Provide technical support to CSO as needed on UNICEF processes and forms.
• Facilitates the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners that provide a service to GCI. This includes preparing and completing necessary forms and templates, and making necessary logistical arrangements.

• Manages fund transfers to GCI civil society partners and UNICEF country offices.

• Maintains up-to-date vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters.

• Uploads electronic files and verifies results to destination system.

• Responds to client transaction status and other inquiries

  Communications & Workflow

• Facilitates the communications and workflow of the GCI team to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of operations and outputs.

• Communicates routine and some non-routine information pertaining to the work of the team.
• Liaises with translators and interpreters for the translation of GCI documents and interpretation during GCI meetings.
• Establishes and maintains the office digital filing and reference systems on SharePoint.

Calendar/Meetings/Correspondence Management

Maintains office calendar and arranges meetings.

Events/Logistics

• Supports capacity development activities and events by making the logistical arrangements, through engaging with participants, facilitators, caterers and hosts.
• Liaises with budget focal points over costs and needs.
• Prepares background materials for participants.

• Prepares and maintains agendas on meetings and events related to the work group commitments.

  Travel

• Provides travel assistance to GCI staff members for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.

• Briefs/de-briefs staff members on issues relating to related administrative matters such as visas, security clearance, and documentation procedures.
• Extracts, inputs, maintains and verifies the correctness of travel records in the organization’s travel system to ensure accurate transactions related to travel costs and staff travel.
• Assists in the preparation of budgets for travel costs and maintains travel plans and budgetary control records.

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

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required, working with different partners and following up on multiple grants is required.
• Experience with UNICEF/UN is a strong asset.
• Non-US candidates must be in possession of an existing US G4 visa or be a US permanent resident/citizen.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French or another official UN language is an asset.
• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SAP/VISION, SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required.
• Knowledge of UNICEF administrative policies and procedures is an asset.
• Very strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• Well-developed sense of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work proactively and independently under time pressure.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with external partners.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background.
• Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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 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.

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 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). 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.