Assistant Projet

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) was established on December 14, 1950, by the UN General Assembly. Its mission is to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. The agency's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. The UNHCR strives to provide options for refugees to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. The organization operates in numerous countries around the globe, working tirelessly to address the needs of displaced individuals and communities.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Projet will work under the direct supervision of the Education Administrator, providing operational and administrative support for the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the Mastercard Foundation/UNHCR project in Bamako. This role is crucial for the effective execution of programmatic activities related to education, livelihoods, and community-based protection through groups/associations led by forcibly displaced persons. The Assistant will collaborate closely with field teams, technical units, and implementing partners to ensure smooth coordination of activities, adherence to work plans, timelines, and accountability requirements. The position involves collecting, consolidating, and analyzing information related to project progress, as well as preparing internal reports, follow-up notes, and planning tools. The Assistant will also participate in documenting project results, including data collection, lessons learned, and factual information on the impact of UNHCR interventions at the community level. Regular external interactions with operational partners, local authorities, and beneficiary communities are expected for operational follow-up and dissemination of validated information. By contributing to the effective implementation of the project and monitoring results, this position plays a vital role in enhancing the effectiveness of UNHCR interventions and improving the protection and living conditions of refugees, internally displaced persons, and others under UNHCR's mandate.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of the education component by assisting in the identification and registration of beneficiaries (children, youth, learners) in collaboration with executing partners.
• Participate in the planning and organization of educational activities (academic support, technical training, scholarships, school kits, etc.).
• Verify the compliance of beneficiary lists with project eligibility criteria.
• Conduct regular visits to educational sites to monitor beneficiary attendance, verify the quality of services provided, and identify operational constraints and risks.
• Collaborate with public and private partners in the education sector in urban areas to assess access conditions for secondary and tertiary refugee students, particularly girls and those with specific needs.
• Ensure follow-up on educational assistance provided to refugee students and ensure that such assistance is appropriate and contributes to students' access to and retention in school.
• Work with local authorities and communities, including parents, to ensure students remain in school and transition to dignified employment and active citizenship.
• Develop a community approach to encourage active participation of beneficiaries in planning and decision-making, with a strong emphasis on the involvement of women and youth.
• Support higher education students in managing their academic programs and scholarship opportunities. 1
• Ensure regular updates of data in ProGres. 1
• Collect, compile, and transmit educational data (enrollment, retention, dropout, success). 1
• Support the documentation of best practices and lessons learned in the education sector. 1
• Assist in the mapping, assessment, and selection of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) benefiting from the project. 1
• Support the organization of capacity-building sessions (financial management, governance, reporting, leadership, inclusion). 1
• Ensure technical follow-up on grants or support provided to CBOs/RLOs. 1
• Verify the effective implementation of action plans by supported CBOs/RLOs. 1
• Collect and analyze narrative and financial reports submitted by CBOs/RLOs. 1
• Identify implementation challenges and propose corrective measures. 1
• Facilitate coordination between CBOs/RLOs, partners, and UNHCR. 2
• Support the identification and selection of beneficiaries for livelihood activities (vocational training, cash, kits, entrepreneurial support). 2
• Participate in the logistical and technical organization of vocational and entrepreneurial training. 2
• Support the execution of livelihood activities (income-generating activities, agro-sylvo-pastoral, crafts, vocational training and integration, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, cash-based interventions, economic inclusion). 2
• Support post-training and post-distribution follow-up (field visits, beneficiary interviews). 2
• Collect data on the creation or revival of income-generating activities, the use of received support, income, and economic autonomy. 2
• Contribute to the analysis of results and the identification of impacts and limitations of interventions. 2
• Ensure close support for beneficiaries in the field. 2
• Support the documentation of success stories related to economic empowerment. 2
• Assist in the collection of quantitative and qualitative data in accordance with the logical framework of the Mastercard project. 2
• Regularly update monitoring tools (dashboards, databases, tracking sheets). 3
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc reports. 3
• Contribute to the preparation of monitoring missions, audits, and evaluations. 3
• Ensure the physical and electronic archiving of all project documentation. 3
• Support daily coordination with executing partners. 3
• Participate in sectoral and internal coordination meetings. 3
• Assist in activity planning (timelines, attendance lists, minutes). 3
• Promote synergy with other sectors (Education, Community-Based Protection). 3
• Ensure compliance with UNHCR procedures and donor requirements (Mastercard). 3
• Perform other related tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear and structured notes, follow-up reports, and minutes.
• Proven skills in data collection, analysis, and synthesis related to project activities and results on the ground.
• Good command of computer and digital tools (Excel, Word, reporting platforms, and internal systems such as Workday or project tracking tools).
• Strong organizational skills, rigor, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a demanding operational environment.
• Initiative, proactive approach, and ability to work independently while respecting guidelines and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively within multicultural teams and with diverse partners.
• Ability to collaborate with implementing partners, local authorities, and communities, respecting humanitarian principles.
• High sense of confidentiality, integrity, and strict adherence to UNHCR's institutional rules, procedures, and policies.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, accountability to affected populations, and a participatory approach. 1
• Adherence to the core values of the United Nations, including integrity, respect for diversity, inclusion, neutrality, and impartiality.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in social sciences, education, international relations, or a related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant field is an asset and may be preferred for certain positions within the organization.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in project management, education, or humanitarian assistance is required. Experience working with refugees or displaced populations is highly desirable. Familiarity with UNHCR's mandate and operations is an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory, and proficiency in English is desirable. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Mali is an asset and may enhance communication with beneficiaries and local partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role, and the selected volunteer will be required to undergo mandatory security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security training at the beginning of their assignment. The full conditions of service for volunteers are available on the UNV website. The role may involve travel within Mali for field visits and meetings with partners and beneficiaries.