Programme Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization grounded in the vision of equality as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Its mission is to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The UN Women Regional Office for the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region was established in Istanbul, Turkey, in early 2014 as part of UN Women’s new regional architecture. This office covers 12 countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The office provides strategic program development, policy and technical advisory services, and quality assurance support to field offices and regional/sub-regional programs. It also undertakes regional research and data analysis, advising on norms, policies, and strategies for achieving gender equality and women's empowerment goals. The office acts as a knowledge hub, collecting evidence on progress and emerging issues, and sharing knowledge on innovative approaches and lessons learned in implementation.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate will report to the ECARO Head of the Programme Support and Management Unit and will work closely with the Programme Team to develop and implement effective programs in line with UN Women’s rules and regulations. The role involves contributing to research, financial management, and program implementation, providing necessary operational, administrative, and programmatic support for ECA regional programs. The Programme Associate will collaborate with operations, program, and project staff in the Regional Office and UN Women Headquarters to resolve complex finance-related issues and facilitate the exchange of information. This position requires a proactive approach to support the formulation and management of programs, ensuring that all activities align with UN Women’s strategic objectives and operational guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide advanced administrative and logistical support to the formulation and management of programs, including preparation of work plans, budgets, and proposals.
• Offer technical guidance to country offices and executing agencies on routine delivery and reporting of program activities and finances.
• Coordinate the collection of information for audits and support the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Contribute to the development or update of standard operating procedures, guidelines, and templates for program management.
• Review program data for the CO/MCO/RO website and compile information for documents and reports.
• Create projects in the Quantum system, prepare budget revisions, and monitor program finances.
• Oversee logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops, and events, including travel arrangements for the Programme Team.
• Provide advanced support for program partner management processes and facilitate capacity development trainings as needed.
• Support knowledge building and sharing by synthesizing lessons learned and coordinating training for office staff and partners.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a completion of secondary education as a minimum, with a Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration being desirable. Candidates must have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative or program management/support. Proficiency in using multiple office software packages and experience in supporting teams in complex environments are essential. Familiarity with ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable, along with knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues. Previous experience in the United Nations is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, with a Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration being preferred. This educational background is essential for understanding the administrative and programmatic functions required in this role.

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative or program management/support. This experience should include working in a computer environment with multiple office software packages and supporting teams in complex environments. Familiarity with ERP systems, particularly Oracle Cloud, is desirable, and experience in civil society organizations is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Turkish is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and would be considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve working in a complex and dynamic environment. 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 and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.