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, engaging through the UN System. The organization emphasizes women's economic empowerment, advancing women in the workforce, and promoting gender-responsive climate action, while also addressing social norms and financing for gender equality. ESARO provides technical assistance and capacity development to country offices and engages with regional bodies like the African Union and Regional Economic Communities, conducting research and generating evidence to support gender equality and economic justice.

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 preparing work plans, budgets, and proposals, tracking fund delivery, and coordinating the submission of financial and narrative reports from implementing partners. The role also involves gathering and compiling data for various documents and supporting the financial management of the Programme Unit, including creating projects in the Quantum system and preparing budget revisions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant's duties include providing administrative and logistical support for programme formulation and management, preparing programme work plans, budgets, and proposals, and tracking fund delivery. The assistant will review and coordinate the submission of financial and narrative reports from implementing partners, gather data for documents, and support the review of quarterly reports and procurement plans. Additionally, the 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 role also involves organizing logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops, and events, drafting meeting minutes, assembling briefing materials, and maintaining filing systems. The Programme Assistant will support resource mobilization efforts by compiling documentation and maintaining donor databases, as well as contributing to advocacy and communication efforts by drafting web articles and social media content.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, with a Bachelor’s degree in economics, sustainable development, international cooperation, gender studies, climate change, environmental policy, administration, public policy, or a related field being an asset. The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative or programme management/support, with knowledge and experience in women’s economic empowerment being advantageous. Proficiency in using multiple Microsoft Office software packages is required, and experience with ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable. Experience in supporting a team is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is the completion of secondary education. 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 should have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative or programme management/support roles. This experience should ideally include knowledge and practical experience in women’s economic empowerment initiatives. Familiarity with working in a computer environment and proficiency in multiple Microsoft Office software packages are essential. Experience with ERP systems, particularly Oracle Cloud, is desirable, as is experience in providing support to a team.

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

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.