Programme Associate, GS-6 (TA, 364 days) Chisinau, Moldova (for Moldovan nationals/residents only) – recruitment for 2 posts

UNICEF’s mission in Moldova is to make sure every child in the country is healthy, educated and safe from harm, therefore having the best start in life and a fair chance to reach her or his full potential and benefit from the country’s prosperity. We believe children have a right to live in a more equitable society, where their voices are heard, and needs met as a matter of priority in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. More information on what we do in Moldova is available at: https://www.unicef.org/moldova/

For every child, a Champion

The recent escalation in the armed conflict in Ukraine poses an immediate threat to the lives and wellbeing of the country’s 7.5 million children. The intensification of the armed conflict is posing severe human costs, causing a growing number of civilian and children casualties, interrupting livelihoods and damaging critical civilian infrastructure, including hundreds of homes, water and sanitation infrastructure, schools and health facilities. Hundreds of thousands of children and their families have been internally displaced and, to-date, over 6.8 million forced to flee the country in search of safety – the majority are women and children.

UNICEF Moldova is involved in the emergency response by supporting the national government and local partners in delivering assistance and protection services.

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Associate, GS-6 reports to the Emergency Coordinator, at P-5 level. The Programme Associate supports the implementation of the emergency response activities by carrying out a range of support functions, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. The incumbent will be responsible for all the financial and administrative tasks of the emergency response activities, including monitoring budget expenditures and maintaining proper record of approved budgets and their revisions, accurate financial reporting in accordance to UNICEF standards, prepare recurring reports as required for budget/financial preparations, verifications and audit. The Programme Associate will have overall responsibility for the coordination of administrative, financial, procurement and contracting matters ensuring conformity to expected results and project work-plans.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the CO, external partners and agency counterparts in support of emergency response delivery. S/He provides regular feedback on the status of program through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track.

Summary Of Key Functions/accountabilities

• 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 and emergency response 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 the project by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up.
• Monitoring budget expenditures and maintaining proper record of approved budgets and their revisions, accurate financial reporting in accordance to UNICEF standards, prepare recurring reports as required for budget/financial preparations, verifications and audit.
• Responding to queries from the relevant UNICEF Programme Officers and donors, with respect to financial aspects of the programme, liaise with internal and external auditors wherever required.
• Maintain accurate records of all documentation related to the project including budgets, amendments, cooperation agreements etc.
• Supports capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.

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

Education: Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.

Experience

A minimum of six years of administrative work, accounting/finance, economics, or other substantive area is required.

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.

Prior Experience In Programme Support Functions Is An Asset.

Previous experience with donor funded programmes is a very strong advantage.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Russian or one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova would be an asset.

For Every Child, You Demonstrate

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

View our competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion. Women, persons from vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as persons from other underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants from under-represented groups will be given priority in case of equal qualification. UNICEF is committed to reasonably accommodate the working environment for the persons with disabilities.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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