Senior Programme Associate (Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) & Risk Management), GS7, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 1,367 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, Results

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground. For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference?

The Senior Programme Associate (Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) & Risk Management) reports to the Planning Officer. Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Senior Programme Associate (HACT & Risk Management) supports HACT planning during programming processes, implementation of HACT activities, reviews and uses HACT reports and ensures the application of HACT and related organizational rules, regulations and procedures in the CO.

1. Support to the HACT planning during the programming process

• Participate in HACT planning and discussions and support the development and completion of HACT plans through the collection, analysis and reporting of related information/data to facilitate planning and priority setting for HACT activities.

• Support the preparation and execution of Country Office (CO) -wide micro assessment and assurance plans in collaboration with other programme staff and relevant operations colleagues.

• Liaise with the External Resources Department (ERD) and Budget Department on budget planning and ceilings.

2. Support to implementation of HACT activities based on eTools, and PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse)

• Serve as the focal point on HACT implementation in the office and support full utilization and maintenance of eTools.

• Plan and follow up on the implementation of micro assessments and assurance plans.

• Monitor the status of assurance activities, including action points against high-priority findings.

• Assist with the maintenance of records of relevant HACT-related documentation, including CO decisions related to HACT.

• Liaise with the ERD and internally with programme staff on treasury transfers and prepare financial utilization and other relevant reports.

• Support HACT policies and procedures related to the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (PSEA).

3. Review and use of HACT reports

• Support the recording and updating of risk ratings of implementing partners in VISION through a review of the Vendor Master and provision of relevant information to appropriate colleagues in the CO.

• Provide timely and current information to promote the use of HACT decisions, documentation, and reports to facilitate the implementation of HACT in the CO.

• Participate in the review of assessments and programme assurance reports to identify areas of weaknesses related to the implementation of HACT and keep supervisor/partners informed of findings for timely action and/or intervention and propose capacity development actions that can be supported by UNICEF.

• Share with Implementing Partners and CO staff HACT-related reports, especially reports of assurance activities, to ensure adequate awareness and follow-up of identified issues, using e-Tools.

4. Networking and inter-agency partnership

• Provide technical information and operational support to implementing partners, UN system partners and other stakeholders in the CO on the implementation of HACT to reinforce UN/CO harmonization and coordination.

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders by actively sharing HACT information and knowledge to facilitate/build their capacity to implement HACT.

• Share information, knowledge, experiences, and best practices on HACT.

• Interact regularly with the regional office on HACT.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Help identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned and best practices in the implementation of HACT, including PSEA.

• Participate in the design, planning and implementation of capacity development strategies/initiatives for implementing partners which can be supported by UNICEF.

• Participate in the design and implementation of capacity development strategies/initiatives for CO staff to ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to fulfil their responsibilities related to HACT.

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

• Secondary education is required, along with formal training in one of the following fields: Development Studies, International Development, Business Administration, Financial Management (such as accounting, auditing or budget management), Economics, or Project/Programme Management.

• Seven years of experience in one or more of the following areas is required: programme development/management, financial planning and management, or another related area.

  ** For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace additional two years.

• Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.

• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of at least one the languages of the duty station is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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 appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply. If you believe you can be a team member that can uphold these every day, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

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