Programme Associate, Quality Assurance

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

Context

UNICEF adopted the 2014 revised UNDG Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) as a tool to ensure that funds transferred to partners are utilized as intended. Under the supervision and guidance of the Programme Specialist (Quality Assurance), the Programme Associate UNV (Quality Assurance) will support the Quality assurance unit by carrying out a range of quality assurance functions to help develop, implement and monitor their country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. The Programme Associate UNV works in close collaboration and supervision of the Programme Specialist in assisting with review of systems, risks, application of policies and procedures and the capacity building of staff as well as counterparts within the area of internal control.

Task Description

Under the supervision of the the Programme Specialist, Quality Assurance, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support in the implementation of Uganda office HACT Assurance plan which provides for a cost-effective assurance system to ensure funds entrusted to UNICEF by donors are utilized as intended, there is transparent processes and oversight of cash transfers and capacities of national partners is strengthened for the management and accountability of cash transferred.
• Regular monitoring of the status of actions defined to mitigate significant risks and update the Office Risk Profile and support the specialist in managing key risks and opportunities to facilitate the achievement of CO objectives and planned results.
• Support in the planning and the implementation of capacity building activities of national implementing partners to improve budgeting and financial management capacities of implementing partners. Ensure that inventory of training and capacity development needs of implementing partners is developed.
• Share with implementing partners and CO staff HACT related reports, especially reports of assurance activities, to ensure adequate awareness and follow-up of identified issues.
• Participate in the review of assurance activity reports of implementing partners for quality check and the review’s recording in the e-tools.
• Coordinate with external service providers for the finalization of assurance activities reports, including based on UNICEF feedback.
• Performance of compliance tests and report on the implementation of SOPs and Work Processes.
• Create general awareness and common understanding among staff of key strategic, programmatic, operational and financial risks.
• Manage e-Tools and support colleagues in updating information on e-Tools on partners and HACT assurance status tasks e.g. monitoring progress of Micro assessments, Financial Spot Checks and Financial Audit dashboards, follow up actions among others.
• Perform assigned quality assurance administrative activities e.g. procurement, finance, travel activities among others.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

Living conditions in Kampala are good with access to shops, healthcare, restaurants, bars and malls. Housing is widely available with different price categories depending on the area where you want to life. Due to the heavy trafficking, it is recommended to live close to the office. Occasional field visits are expected once every quarter to support field office colleagues, and to follow up implementation of the program. Uganda is known for their natural diversity which allows for great options for travels inside the country. Kampala offers various activities including rock climbing, sailing, hiking, football, tennis, cinema, going out, etc.