Sr. Programme Associate (GS-7, fixed-term contract, local post) - open to Bulgarian nationals only

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. More about G-7 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, a champion.

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Senior Programme Associate performs a variety of information gathering, performance and financial monitoring, and evaluation, technical and administrative services in support of programme specialists/officers and counterparts of UNICEF. The post is also required to provide financial, and programme checks on various components of the programme at the national level.

How can you make a difference?

Planning and budgeting

Provide support to the planning and budgeting processes for the development of annual work plans under and coordinated with support from relevant office staff, compiling reports and programme documents and consolidating annual supply plans.

Financial management

Provide support to financial management and coordination, processing and monitoring of partner (government and non-governmental) cash assistance requests, including supplies, processing consultancy contracts and supply requests, monitoring financial implementation and disbursements with finance unit and operations section, and supporting year-end closure and re-phasing.

Knowledge management and capacity development of counterparts

Facilitate systematic knowledge management in the section through establishing systems to keep, update and disseminate reference materials, and regularly updating dissemination lists. Conduct training for implementing partners and provide guidance and advice on the application of cost norms.

Monitoring

Follow-up with implementing partners at national and local levels on annual work plan implementation progress, submission of quarterly work plans, progress reports and reporting on programme funds, conducting regular financial spot checks and supply monitoring at national and provincial levels, and reviewing available data from programme records. This may include field visits to project sites.

Donor reporting

Regularly monitor donor fund utilisation and contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports of the country office programme components by providing financial data and inputs for donor reports and funding proposals submitted to donors. Compile reports and programme documents.

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

Education

Completion of secondary school education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses in a field related to the work of the organization.

Work Experience

Seven years of work experience in programme administration work, accounting, financial or budget work, of which at least 2-3 years related to programme support.

Language Proficiency

Fluency in both English and Bulgarian 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.

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