Senior Programme Associate, Temporary Appointment (364 days), G7, Kyiv, Ukraine, #131410

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the senior programme associate supports the respective section by carrying out a range of programme support functions to help develop, implement and monitor the country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. The Senior Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the office, external partners and agency counterparts in support of programme design and delivery. S/He provides regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, hope

UNICEF Ukraine

Join the Social Policy Team at UNICEF Ukraine!

How can you make a difference? 

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Contribute for the planning and management of resources available with the section, following the principles of Value for Money and Results Based Budgeting for effective implementation of programme and optimum utilization of funds.
• Support in the preparation of fund allocation plan for the programme sector based on the resource envelope and donor conditionality and ensure timely allocation of funds.
• Generate fund utilization reports and present analysis for the optimal utilization of resources with focus on supporting full utilization of expiring grants.
• Process transactions in VISION in accordance with the policies and procedures.
• Monitor open documents in VISION and take timely action to ensure proper utilization of funds and closure of documents.

Coordinate the preparation of partnership agreements and oversee the implementation of HACT

• Support the preparation of partnership agreements as per the guidelines by ensuring proper documentation for review.
• Ensure that funds are released to Implementing Partners (IPs) on time, follow up for timely liquidation of outstanding advances and scrutinize submissions.
• Coordinate HACT assurance activities and undertake capacity building activities for the Ips and other risk control measures.

Support the unit in preparing the Terms of References and managing contracts:

• Support in the preparation of the ToRs with appropriate budget and related documentation for hiring institutions and individuals necessary for effective programme delivery.
• Co-ordinate in the preparation of supply plan and periodically update and share with Supply section.
• Support the Section in contracts management, timely payment to vendors and closure of contracts.

Support to programme monitoring and reporting of results:

• Prepare monitoring and reporting information for supervisor on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Monitor budgets and financial expenditures of the section/unit, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision/follow up

 Provide administrative support to the section/unit for effective and efficient management.

• Support the section in organizing workshops, meetings, conferences and events in collaboration with Admin. Section/contractors.
• Prepare the fund forecast and share with finance quarterly.
• Collect invoices and file documents for approval, followed by processing in Vision
• Provide travel assistance to section/unit team for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies.
• Assist in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintain travel budgetary control records.

Maintain a document repository for the section/unit and ensure quality of reports:

• Maintain information management system for important data to monitor progress against intended results. Analyze complex data sets and information for easy understanding and present as per the requirements.
• Provide oversight in terms of adherence to quality checks and deadlines for donor reports and provide inputs for the same.

Support capacity development of UNICEF staff and partners on UNICEF admin and finance processes:

• Develop simple and pragmatic guidance notes.
• Conduct short orientation/training sessions, including refresher trainings, on processes, RBM principles, fund management systems and tools, use of VISION, as necessary.
• Be responsive to regular requests of hand-holding support/guidance from colleagues and partners.

Impact of Results

S/He is accountable for the full spectrum of administrative and project/programme support activities. The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the country office and success in the implementation of project/programme activities. Accurate programme monitoring and recommendations, data entry and presentation of information ensure proper programme decision-making.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of work experience in programme administration work, accounting, financial or budget work, of which at least 2-3 year closely related support of programme activities (social protection sector).
• 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. 

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required.

Skills: 

• In-depth knowledge of the administration which underpins UNICEF country office programme/project operations, including monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong office management skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage the section’s material resources and monitor its budget.
• Good analytical skills.

Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 
• Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Knowledge of another official UN language or local language is an asset.

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

The 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

This position is based in Kyiv and the incumbent will be expected to work on-site. However, depending on the security conditions and advisory, s/he will be required to relocate within Ukraine.