The Position:

The Project Assistant assists in implementation of UNFPA Bosnia and Herzegovina’s UNFPA GBV portfolio and Youth and Peace programming. The successful candidate will provide an integrated programme and operational support within a system-strengthening approach that is fundamental to UNFPA’s overall strategy. The position is funded through the Gender Equality Accelerator Joint Programme, jointly implemented by UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF, with financial support from the European Union (EU). The Project Assistant works in close collaboration with the Administrative/Financial, Programme and country office personnel to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

You will report to Youth Programme Analyst.

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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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 that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

UNFPA invests in the area of gender equality and prevention of violence against women, in line with its mandate, and strives to achieve changes at three levels: improved services and protections for survivors of violence; raised public awareness and conducive norms and values to support true equity between men and women; and transformed values and norms that drive perpetrators to commit violence against women. Under the existing programme cycle, UNFPA is implementing a project focused on social cohesion of divided communities in BiH, and promotion of constructive and fact-based narratives, and contribute to building trust, intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity, gender equality and social cohesion in the region. In doing so, the project aims to address the priority conflict drivers of hate speech, divisive narratives, negative gender norms and a deficit of reconciliation within the region.

You would be responsible for:

• Providing significant input into a range of technical and logistical aspects of programme activities, including supporting programmes officers in preparation of budgets, financial reports, arranging venues, transportation, trainings materials, helping in preparation of the presentations, booking translators, videographers and designers etc.
• Contributing to the preparation of reports by soliciting information from partners, external consultants and associates, preparing summary tables, drafting selected sections of the report etc. 
• Assisting with projectrelated procurement of services/goods and ensuring that procurement is in accordance with UNFPA Procurement Procedures: collects supporting documents; obtains price quotations and prepares comparative tables; makes logistical arrangements for the delivery, including customs clearance and distribution; obtains Receipt and Inspection Reports and acceptance reports from national counterparts.
• Arranging project meetings, including organizing the venue, preparing draft minutes of project meetings, communicating draft minutes to the participants, and receiving feedback. Ensures quality and completeness of filing of project documents.
• Provides inputs to communications team on existing and upcoming activities (technical and programmatic information on events - their profile, aim, participant etc.)
• Undertaking all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements required for the successful planning and delivery of technical workshops, inter-agency meetings, panel discussions, roundtables, missions, and other events organized by the output managers in close collaboration with the operations team. This may include liaising with event management companies and caterers supporting the procurement process for these and related services.
• Providing logistical support to programme events by gathering and compiling data and information for the preparation of events documents, speeches and position papers. This includes (but is not necessarily limited to) preparing and distributing COA (Chart of Account) authorization letters; collecting and following up on nominations and registration; preparing list of participants; managing programme related travel and visa requirements, circulating events materials.
• Raising requisitions in ERP system.
• Undertaking any other assignment that may be requested by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Completed Secondary Level Education required. First level university degree Social Sciences, Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences or other related fields desirable..

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Five years (2 with Advanced degree) of relevant experience in administrative roles or programme support functions
• Proven experience and track record in successfully managing and implementing policies, processes, and systems in development organizations or the private sector.
• Previous experience in implementation of UN projects preferred.
• Excellent technical and organizational skills, and the ability to sort through financial information with ease.
• Ability to produce analytical reports and write clearly and concisely.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including operating under tight schedules.
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Great proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is required.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

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

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving 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 Competencies:

• Providing logistical support
• Managing data
• Managing documents, correspondence and reports
• Managing information and work flow
• Planning, organizing and multitasking

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including leave days, health insurance and additional remuneration for pensions and social security obligations.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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 engagement of LSC personnel may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance and other administrative requirements. 

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