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.

UN Women Regional Office for the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region was established in Istanbul, Turkey, at the beginning of 2014 as a part of the UN Women’s new regional architecture. The ECA Regional Office covers 12 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo (in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Ukraine). Based on UN legislative mandates and the UN Women Strategic Plan, the Regional Office for ECA provides strategic programme development, policy/ technical advisory services, and quality assurance support to field offices and regional/sub-regional programmes. It undertakes or coordinates regional research and data analysis, and advises on norms, policies, and strategies for achieving the internationally and regionally agreed goals related to gender equality and women’s empowerment issues. It acts as a knowledge hub at the regional level, collecting evidence on progress and emerging issues and sharing knowledge on innovative approaches and lessons learned in implementation.

Reporting to the ECARO Head of the Programme Support and Management Unit, the Programme Associate works with and provides support to the 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 including ECA regional programmes. Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the RO and UN Women HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Scope of Work:

1. 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 arrangements; 
• 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 programme data from programmes/ projects for CO/MCO/RO website; 
• Identify sources, and gather and compile data and information for documents, guidelines, speeches and position papers. 

2. 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; finalize FACE forms; 
• 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; 
• Prepare and follow up of cost-recovery bills in Quantum system. 

3. 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;  
• Prepare and assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations; contribute inputs to the materials; 
• Provide guidance and training to Programme Assistant(s). 

4. Provide advanced support for the programme partner management:

• Provide advanced programme support across the ECA region on programme partner management processes including PGAMS;
• Support effective oversight of programme partners through regular monitoring, compliance check, and follow-up actions;
• Identify opportunities for capacity development in partner management and facilitate targeted trainings, as needed.

5. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Support synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices related to programme management and finance; 
• Coordinate the organization of training for the office staff and partners 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 Organisation.

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 business or public administration is desirable. 

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative or programme management/support is required.
• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages is required.
• Experience in supporting teams in complex environments is required.
• Experience in the use of ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.
• Experience in civil society organizations and understanding of civil society landscape is an asset.
• Proved knowledge of gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable development is an asset.
• Previous experience in the United National is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Turkish 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.