Programme Associate (GS-6), FT, PG Social Policy, New York HQ # 00013972

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Programme Associate is responsible for executing a broad range of tasks for the section, requiring thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies.

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, … an opportunity,

The impact of growing poverty and inequality is a major obstacle for the realization of children’s rights. Despite modest, but important progress in terms of child poverty reduction, children continue to be more likely to fall into poverty than adults. Today’s children are growing up in a world beset by multiple, near-simultaneous, interdependent shocks, stemming from the fallout of disease outbreaks, violent conflicts, climate change and environmental degradation, and skyrocketing costs of living.

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. In the face of these increasingly challenging environment, under the framework of its new Strategic Plan (SP), 2022–2025, UNICEF’s Social Policy and Social Protection (SPSP) Programme is committed to reducing child poverty and expanding inclusive social protection for all children and adolescents including those living in humanitarian context.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Programme Associate is responsible for executing a broad range of tasks for the section, requiring thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and partners, from country and regional offices to resource and implementing partners and other HQ Divisions. In this capacity, the need to project the image of a credible and reliable partner is critical, and the efficiency and effectiveness of work directly reflects on the overall reputation of the team in terms of responsiveness to client needs and quality and impact of process execution.

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

 Executive support to the Director, Front Office coordination and programme management

• Provide strategic support to the Office of the Director related to scheduling and organization of meetings and calls
• Support the travel for the Director and Team members
• Carry out transactions in VISION to ensure programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs), making amendments and alterations when necessary.
• Support the with the monitoring of relevant KPIs and provides guidance to the section regarding related actions required.
• Prepare and maintain section/programme records and documents.

Provide any additional support as and when assigned by the Director

Administrative and HR support

• Maintain office calendar, arrange meetings and events by coordinating availability and making the logistical arrangements, through engagement with section teams, participants, facilitators, caterers, and hosts.
• Prepares and maintains agendas on meeting and events in consultation with the Programme and Planning Specialist, coordinate background materials for participants and upload cleared materials where necessary.
• Liaise with Programme and Planning Specialist and Programme Associate (Budgets)   regarding costs, budgets and HR needs and support preparation and maintenance of administrative/HR-related background notes and documents such as section organigramme as needed.

Travel

• Assist in preparing the quarterly mission/travel plan for the section.
• Assist in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintain travel plan and budgetary control records.
• Provide information and travel assistance to staff based on the organization’s rules and policies.
• Liaise with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
• Manage travel records to ensure accurate transactions related to travel costs and staff travel.
• Monitor travel certification and report back to the team.

Budget Management Support

When needed support Programme Associate (Budgets) to:

• Monitor Unit grant balances and financial expenditure of grants, ensure all fund utilization and commitments are in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations.
• Provide support on budget revision/preparation, implementation status, operational, and financial closure.
• Support payroll management by forecasting payroll needs and allocate funds accordingly.
• Produces periodic expenditure reports of the unit’s grants, including expenditure reports for annual and mid-year reviews. Supports unit’s IP staff in the preparation of liquidation analyses, request for payment and allocation memoranda.           
• Carry out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants, such as registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants.

Supplies/Equipment

• Support management of office supplies and equipment.
• Monitor adequate and appropriate use of supplies; update inventory of items as needed.
• Ensure that services and maintenance of supplies are in accordance with organizational standards.
• Arrange for the purchase and timely distribution of office supplies.

Procurement

• Support management of partnership agreements in line with the organizational policies and guidance.
• Facilitate the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners; prepare and file documents, complete necessary forms and templates, upload TOR’s in VISION, and make necessary logistical arrangements.
• Responsible for collecting invoices and filing documents for approval, uploading electronic files and thereafter processing in VISION.
• Respond to client transaction status and other inquiries.
• Keep vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters up-to-date.

The following minimum requirements:

• Completion of secondary education in public administration, finance, international relations, political science, or another relevant technical field is required.
• 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 is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant administrative services, coordination or clerical work experience is required.
• General Service Staff are recruited locally therefore candidates MUST be US permanent resident/citizen.

Desirables/Assets:

• Experience with executive support, programme support functions and/or budget, HR management is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Advanced computer literacy and the ability to effectively use standard office software tools (MS Office, Enterprise database) and other office technology and SharePoint platforms to create documentation, exchange and archive e-mail, and maintain electronic filing systems is highly desirable
• Working knowledge of UNICEF programme policies and administrative and financial procedures is desirable.
• Experience in VISION desirable.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a 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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• 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 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 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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.