Regional Project Administrative 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 project is funded by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is coordinating by LACRO for the period 2023- 2026. The initiative aims to reduce adolescent pregnancy by empowering women and youth from Afro-descendants’ tribal people, Creole, Garifuna, and Miskito communities in selected municipalities of the Central America Caribbean Coastal in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. The project seeks to address the core problem of racism and ethnic discrimination, as a driver of adolescent pregnancy. Furthermore, seeks to ensure bodily autonomy as well as access to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence prevention and care services. Additionally, the project will address structural inequalities, limited rights, intersectional forms of discrimination and data inequalities that affect these populations. The proposal will apply intersectional approaches to reach the population groups left furthest behind first.

The project is aligned with the principle of leaving no one behind (LNOB), which is at the heart of UNFPA’s work and guides the organization's actions to achieve the sustainable development goals and the full implementation of the (ICPD PoA). The ultimate goals of the project will contribute and are aligned with the UNFPA three transformative results: ending unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths, and ending Gender Based Violence against women and girls. The main outcome of the project is to contribute to the reduction of adolescent pregnancy in selected municipalities of Central America Coasts, particularly rural areas, and places where Afro-descendants, Creole, Garifuna, and Miskito populations are settled, and where the adolescent pregnancy and pregnancies in girls under the age of 15 are still a great challenge. This outcome will be achieved based on a combination of several approaches, considering that adolescent pregnancy is a multi-causal phenomenon, including socio-cultural and economic barriers, racism and discrimination, and where the access of services is strongly correlated with low levels of knowledge among adolescents and youth about their sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, due to the limited implementation of comprehensive sexuality education and youth empowerment programmes. To this end some countries might wish to scale-up existing initiatives while others develop new ones depending on the specific country context and assessment of where the funds will have the largest impact. The expected outputs of the project will seek to: (i) Strengthened comprehensive sexuality education in and out of school for adolescents and young people from Afro-descendants’ tribal people, Creole, Garifuna, and Miskito communities in selected municipalities of the Central America Caribbean Coast; (ii) Improved coverage and access to high-quality of sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and young people from Afro-descendants’ tribal people, Creole, Garifuna, and Miskito communities in selected municipalities; and, (iii) Increased the capacities in leadership and empowerment of women and youth from Afro-descendants’ tribal people, including Creole, Garifuna, and Miskito communities to advocate for the fulfillment of their rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Project Coordinator, the Project Administrative Assistant will be responsible for provide administrative, financial and logistical support for the overall coordination of the regional project “Leaving No One Behind: Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy in the Afro-descendant, Creole, Garifuna and Miskito communities in selected municipalities of the Central America Caribbean Coastal”, including reporting, monitoring and evaluation activities.

She/he would be responsible for: ● Participates in the preparation of the budget details of the WPs and follow-up of implementation with the Country Offices, within the approved activities and informs timely to the Regional Project Coordinator and the Deputy Regional Director about deviations on planning. ● Participates in the preparation and follow-up of recommendations provided by technical assistance missions, audits and national consultants. ● Work in close communication with the national project administrative assistants to ensure effective administrative coordination in the implementation of approved project work plans and activities at the national and regional levels. ● Revises FACE jointly with the implementing partners, Program Analysts and Finance Associate. ● Supports monitoring the delivery of plans and reports linked to the implementation of project funds. ● Assists and strengthens the capacities of IPs in the procedures and accountability. ● Coordinates and prepares travel and payment of national and international consultants, coordination team, event participants, as needed. ● Issues contracts, agreements and memorandum of understanding as well as related documentation to planning, execution and monitoring of WP. ● Revises and update the agenda of project activities and meetings in close collaboration with the Regional Project Coordinator and the Deputy Regional Director. ● Takes notes/minutes during meetings. ● Ensures and updates hard copy and electronic files of the area. ● Provides logistical support for the organization of workshops, conferences, meetings and other events, keeping and safeguarding the supporting documentation for proper payments. ● Supports the project team in the preparation of procurement process of goods and services below the lower threshold and within the approved of the Project WP. ● Creates requisition and generate financial and implementation reports in Quantum and to donors as needed. ● Updates the quarterly financial planning and monitoring information in coordination with the Regional Project Coordinator, the Deputy Regional Director and Finance. ● Monitor and report on project funds disbursement and implementation and provide liaison with project staff on budget modifications if required; ● Calculate budget estimates and reconcile expenditure against budgetary allocations under work plans, displaying attention to detail in verifying financial data. ● Ensure operating arrangements for financial tracking and accountability meet the required standards, including ensuring all supporting documents are duly maintained on file; ● Review incoming correspondence, collect and prepare necessary information for reply / action, and draft and finalize response; ● Apply UNFPA rules, regulations and procedures ● Any other tasks assigned to achieve the project results.

Values: • Exemplifying integrity • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system • Embracing cultural diversity • Embracing change

Competencies: • Being accountable to achieving results • Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen • Thinking analytically and strategically • Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships • Communicating for impact. • Providing strategic focus • Engage internal/external partners • Leading, developing, and empowering people • Create a culture of performance.

Functional Skill Set: • Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda • Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships • Delivering results-based programmes • Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization • Strategically positioning UNFPA Programme • Providing a technical support system

provision of administrative assistance in project implementation at national or international level ● Previous experience in development assistance or related work for donor organization, NGO, or UN Agency is a very strong advantage; ● Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; ● Computer literacy - Word, Excel, Power-point, Google Pack. and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems; ● Good knowledge of Atlas / PeopleSoft or other ERP system; ● Good writing and communication skills. ● Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and with diverse stakeholders; ● Good knowledge of Microsoft office and google applications. ● Others: Immediate availability.

Panama is a family duty station and considered to be a safe place to live. However, like in any city around the world, it is always good to be aware of your surroundings and to be alert. There is a wide range of goods available in Panama and many modern shopping complexes as well as department stores and designer stores. There are suitable residential areas, accommodation options, good hospitals, schools, universities, banks, and a wide selection of restaurants. There are beaches, mountains and national parks in the rainforest that are said to have the broadest range of flora and fauna in the world. Panama does not have any serious health concerns to worry about, however, it is important to note that in some areas such as the Darien province, it is recommended to take precautions for malaria.

The Centers for Disease Control website also recommends yellow fever vaccination for travel to Darien province and the San Blas islands. Weather: Panama has two seasons, the dry season, which is from January until late April or early May, and the rainy season which is the rest of the year. The daytime temperature ranges between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit with the evenings being cooler by 5 to 10 degrees. The average humidity is 70% Average cost of living: USD1,120 Currency: Panama Balboa; pegged 1:1 with the US dollar.Internet: High-speed internet is readily available in cities like Panama City, Colon, and David. In remote areas, you'll find DSL, cable, or satellite internet. Panama is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.