The Position:

Under the overall guidance of the Representative, the Deputy Representative, and the Assistant Representative, under the direct supervision of the Gender & GBV Programme Analyst, the Program Associate supports the Youth and Gender programmes. S/he works in close collaboration with the Programme Coordinators, Specialists, and Analysts in the team and with the Operations Unit in the Country Office to ensure effective and efficient programme implementation of the country program.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2026), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, and exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Programme Associate provides programmatic and administrative support to the development and implementation of UNFPA’s Country Programme and is instrumental in facilitating programme/project implementation by using appropriate mechanisms and systems, and ensuring compliance with established rules, policies, and procedures. The Programme Associate also undertakes assigned research tasks and provides financial management and operational and procedural guidance to Implementing Partners.

The Programme Associate would be responsible for:

Effective Support to the Preparation, Implementation, and Monitoring of the Country Programme

• Participate in the preparation of the CO programme and project proposals by compiling and analyzing information in the subject areas of UNFPA assistance, compiling project documents and work plans and preparing tables and statistical data.
• In coordination with assigned programme staff, guide the routine implementation of assigned projects, coordinate delivery of project inputs and ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure consolidation of team plans: leave and travel plans ahead of CO plan as well as main event plan and organization.
• Maintain and update project files of assigned programme staff, including Annual Workplans signed, revised, and project progress reports, and budgets in compliance with corporate guidelines, including lessons learned, evaluations, and studies.
• Monitor and report on core and non-core expenditures by implementing partners.
• Consolidate and maintain the inventory of pipeline projects for submission to donors for co- financing.
• In collaboration with assigned programme staff, operations and assigned implementing partners, assist in financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of programme activities, identifying any operational and financial problems, and contributing to the development of solutions.
• Assist in the organization, recording, and reporting (minute writing, and participants list) of periodic coordination meetings. Ensure timely schedules, invitations, and confirmations are done.
• Support the registration of new projects in Atlas, raise/process requisitions in Atlas, and ensure timely follow-up of requests for direct payment to suppliers or advance of funds to projects in accordance with the procedures and approved work plans. Assist in the planning, organization, and duly reporting (back-to-office reports) of all team traveling. Ensure timely schedules, bookings, and confirmations are done.
• Ensure that partners submit FACE and Forms C on time, in the correct format, and both narrative and financial.
• Assist in conducting assessments of programme performance to identify success factors and compile a list of best practices.
• Effectively support evaluation of programme activities: establishing and implementing mechanisms to systematically assess the achievement of results, undertake periodic field visits, participate in review meetings, and prepare regular inputs to status and progress reports.
• Contributing to HACT assurance activities regarding assigned implementing partners.
• Participate in training and guiding of assigned implementing partners, project personnel, and programme staff on national execution and programme policies and procedures.
• Support implementation of audit and evaluation recommendations.
• Translate working documents from Portuguese to English and vice versa as required

Research and Knowledge Management Sharing:

• Assist in the creation of substantive knowledge relevant to a specific programme area through research, synthesizing and documenting findings and lessons learned, success stories and best practices, strategies, and approaches of the CO, and drafting relevant materials for dissemination.
• Maintaining the programme filing, archiving and e-archiving systems, as well as uploading to the CO intranet and maintaining the relevant sections.

Programme Finance and Operational Support:

• Initiate procurement requests for the projects and the team, as assigned by his/her supervisor, ensuring compliance with UNFPA procurement procedures.
• Generate financial and programmatic Atlas and Cognos reports for the country programme as required.
• Perform General User or Buyer roles in Atlas for projects.
• Ensure that payment requests related to assigned programme staff are channeled to the relevant operations staff.

Others:

• Support to Advocacy and Implementation of the CO’s resource mobilization strategy by compiling and synthesizing relevant background materials for use in discussions and public events.
• Act as a back-up on selected functions to other Programme Associates during their absence.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Completed Secondary Level Education required. A first-level university degree in business/public administration, finance, economics or relevant social science discipline desirable

Knowledge and Experience:

• Six years of relevant experience in programme planning, monitoring, and data support systems and in financial management in private, national, and/or international organizations.
• Proficiency in current office software applications and a good basic knowledge of finances and mastery of a series of financial and spreadsheet software.
• Previous experience in the UN is an asset.
• Good knowledge of ERP, PeopleSoft or other web-based integrated systems is required.
• Good writing and communication skills.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English and Portuguese languages is required.
• Knowledge of the local language is a plus.

Required Competencies:

Values:

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

Core Competencies:

• Achieve results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Functional Skill Set:

• Logistical support.
• Managing data, documents, correspondence and reports.
• Managing information and workflow.
• Planning, organizing and multi-tasking.
• Managing financial processes.
• Job knowledge/technical expertise

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance, pension and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements