Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Across most of East and Southern Africa, disaster management measures are in place, but effective implementation remains a critical challenge undermining resilience to climate induced disasters which are increasing in both severity and frequency. Additionally, despite the global commitment to gender as provided for in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, its integration within the existing Disaster Risk Management (DRM) frameworks remains inadequate while the role of women, youth and rural communities is not adequately integrated into DRM planning and recovery measures.

In the context of the adverse climate conditions, increasing population at risk, gendered impacts exacerbated by inadequate implementation of gender responsive DRM and resilience building measures, UN Women in Malawi, Tanzania and Rwanda seeks to improve human security by strengthening gender-responsive disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation support, targeting women and youth. Collectively the 3 countries will specifically address enhanced access to resilient livelihoods, strengthen the integration of gender in disaster coordination systems, provide survivor-centered GBV response during emergencies as well as strengthen gender data systems to inform inclusive interventions. These measures will reduce the vulnerability to climate related disasters and food insecurity and increase the protection of women and girls from gender-based violence in the target countries.

The Humanitarian and DRR Unit seeks to recruit a HA and DRR Programme Associate who will report to the Regional Humanitarian and DRR Specialist. She/He will work with and provide support to members of the Programme Team in the development and implementation of effective programmes consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Programme Associate contributes to research, financial management, and programme implementation including providing necessary operational, administrative and programmatic support. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the COs, RO and UN Women HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information. The Scope of Work below clarifies the milestones the HA and DRR Programme Associate will be monitored to deliver by April 2027.

Scope of Work

Provide advanced administrative and logistical support to the formulation and management of programmes:

• Provide advanced administrative support and inputs in the preparation of programme work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation modalities that include monitoring and reporting;
• Provide technical guidance to the country offices and executing agencies on routine delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances;
• Coordinate the collection of information for the audit of programmes/ projects and support implementation of audit recommendations;
• Contribute to the development or update of standard operating procedures, guidelines, checklists, templates and business processes in programme and project management;
• Review regional and CO programme data for the Japan Project as well as other projects to inform project delivery tracking in collaboration with the Finance team at country, regional and global levels;
• Coordinate the collection of data, documentation and sharing of best practices guidelines, speeches and position papers;
• Support in development and implementation of the project based communication plan in collaboration with the Communications Unit.

Provide advanced administrative support to the financial management of the Programme Unit:

• Create projects in Quantum system, prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of a project;
• Monitor budget preparation and the finances of programmes/projects; prepare periodic reports;
• Review financial reports; prepare non-PO vouchers for development projects;
• Maintain internal expenditures control system; post transactions in Quantum system;
• Create requisitions in Quantum system for development projects; register good receipts in Quantum system.

Provide advanced administrative support to the Programme Unit:

• Oversee all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements for organization for meetings, workshops, events, and missions;
• Oversee travel arrangements for the Programme Team, including travel requisitions and claims;
• Prepare public information materials and briefing packets;
• Liaise with high level officials on administrative issues;
• Organize for regular monitoring meetings using the Tracking Matrix, take minutes and follow up on the action points;
• Support the collection of information for quality and timely reporting by COs;
• Prepare and assemble briefing materials/talking points and other presentations.

Provide administrative support to Resource Mobilization:

• Prepare cost-sharing and other agreements; follow up on contributions within the CO/RO resource mobilization efforts; and
• Organize, compile and process information from donors, Country Office/Regional Office, and programme team, as inputs to various databases and documents.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Support synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices related to programme management and finance; and
• Coordinate the organization of training for partners/stakeholders on programme and operations related issues.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies:

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of programme management;
• Ability to create, edit, synthesize and present information in clear and presentable formats;
• Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions;
• Ability to provide input to business process re-engineering, elaboration and implementation of new data management systems;
• Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence and reports information and workflow;
• Excellent financial and budgeting skills;
• Excellent IT skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Completion of secondary education is required;
• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change and humanitarian action is required;
• Programme management certification is desirable.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management/support is required;
• Experience in supporting a team is required;
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System is required;
• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages is desirable.

Languages:

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

Statements:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.