Programme Associate

The Programme Associate supports programme sections by carrying out a range of programme support functions to help develop, implement and monitor the country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. The role involves collaboration with staff, partners, and agency counterparts to support programme design and delivery, monitoring milestones, and advising on improvements.

Responsibilities

• Facilitating the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) by providing information and drafting selected sections of it.
• Ensuring the timely and accurate recording and administrative processing of government & NGO’s proposals and requests for direct cash transfers (DCTs).
• Conducting programme monitoring in UNICEF focus districts for cash and supplies and informing team-members on the status.
• Helping conduct regular spot checks of partner’s projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls and reporting systems.
• Monitoring and tracking the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.
• Supporting the programme section in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs), and making amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants and programme-related items for his/her section including but not limited to registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants.
• Preparing monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Regularly monitoring budgets and financial expenditures of section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up.
• Helping prepare periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to country office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds.
• Supports capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.

Requirements

• Completion of secondary education is required.
• A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may replace 3 years of related work experience.
• A Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) may replace an additional 2 years.
• A minimum of six years of administrative or clerical work experience is required.
• Knowledge of Benin context is required.
• 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.
• Fluency in French is required.
• Intermediate knowledge Fon language is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian or Spanish) is desirable.
• Technical or university courses related to the work of the organization are an asset.
• Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

Skills

• Programme Support
• Programme Monitoring
• Project Administration
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Office Management
• Budget Monitoring
• Resource Management
• Organizational Planning
• Prioritizing Skills
• Analytical Skills
• MS Word
• Excel
• Power Point
• SharePoint Development
• Knowledge of Benin Context
• UNICEF Operations
• Confidentiality Management
• Intercultural Collaboration
• Programme Design
• Programme Implementation

Languages

French, Fon