Programme Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It operates under the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. UN Women’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) covers 25 countries, including 13 Country Offices, 1 Programme Presence, and 14 Non-Resident Agencies. The organization engages with various regional bodies, including the African Union and Regional Economic Communities, to provide technical assistance and capacity development, while also conducting research and generating evidence on women's economic empowerment.

Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) section at UN Women ESARO. Reporting to the Regional Policy Specialist on WEE, the Programme Assistant is responsible for providing comprehensive programme, administrative, and logistical support to the WEE Team. This position is integral to the development and implementation of effective programmes that align with UN Women’s rules and regulations. The Programme Assistant will assist in the formulation and management of programmes, ensuring smooth implementation and effective delivery of the WEE portfolio. This includes tracking financial resources, preparing work plans and budgets, and coordinating with implementing partners to ensure compliance with reporting requirements. The role also involves supporting resource mobilization efforts and contributing to advocacy and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant's duties include providing administrative and logistical support for programme formulation and management, preparing work plans, budgets, and proposals, and tracking fund delivery. The role requires reviewing and coordinating the submission of financial and narrative reports from implementing partners, gathering data for documents and guidelines, and assisting in the review of quarterly reports and procurement plans. Additionally, the Programme Assistant will manage financial aspects of the Programme Unit, including creating projects in the Quantum system, preparing budget revisions, and processing payments for consultants. The position also involves organizing meetings, workshops, and events, drafting minutes, assembling briefing materials, and maintaining donor databases. The Programme Assistant will support advocacy activities and contribute to communication efforts by drafting web articles and social media content.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, with a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as economics, sustainable development, international cooperation, gender studies, climate change, environmental policy, administration, or public policy being an asset. The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative or programme management/support, with knowledge of women's economic empowerment being an added advantage. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, are also required. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to support a team effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes the completion of secondary education as a minimum requirement. A Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as economics, sustainable development, international cooperation, gender studies, climate change, environmental policy, administration, or public policy is considered an asset and enhances the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The Programme Assistant position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative or programme management/support. Candidates with knowledge and experience in women's economic empowerment will have an advantage. Experience in a computer environment using multiple Microsoft Office software packages is essential, and familiarity with ERP systems, particularly Oracle Cloud, is desirable. Additionally, experience in supporting a team is beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and would enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves working within the framework of UN Women’s policies and procedures. Candidates must adhere to the organization's standards of conduct and will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. UN Women promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or other characteristics. Applicants are advised to complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.