Programme Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality. UN Women merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, focusing on six priority areas, including women's leadership, ending violence against women, and enhancing women's economic empowerment. UN Women has a significant presence in Sri Lanka, where it implements the Women, Peace, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (WPS) Agenda, building capacities of government officials and working towards the adoption of the National Action Plan on WPS. The organization coordinates efforts within the UN system to advance gender equality and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate position at UN Women in Colombo involves providing support to the Programme Team in developing and implementing effective programmes aligned with UN Women’s rules and regulations. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including operations and project staff, to resolve complex finance-related issues and facilitate the exchange of information. The Programme Associate will contribute to research, financial management, and programme implementation, ensuring that women lead, participate in, and benefit equally from governance systems. The position is crucial for the operational and administrative support of UN Women’s initiatives in Sri Lanka, particularly in areas related to women's rights, economic empowerment, and violence prevention.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative and logistical support for programme formulation and management, including preparing work plans, budgets, and proposals.
• Offer technical guidance on routine delivery and reporting of programme activities and finances.
• Prepare for audits and implement recommendations.
• Gather and compile data for documents and reports.
• Support financial management by creating projects in the Quantum system, preparing budget revisions, and monitoring finances.
• Review financial reports and process payments for consultants.
• Organize logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops, and events.
• Make travel arrangements for the Programme Team.
• Prepare public information materials and briefing packets. 1
• Assist in drafting Terms of Reference for consultants and manage their payment schedules. 1
• Maintain asset management registry and support resource mobilization efforts. 1
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and training for staff and partners.

Required Qualifications:

• Completion of secondary education is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration is desirable.
• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management/support is required.
• Experience in a computer environment using multiple office software packages is required.
• Experience in supporting a team is required.
• Familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is the completion of secondary education. However, a Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration is preferred, indicating a higher level of academic achievement and understanding of administrative processes.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management/support. This experience should include working in a computer environment with various office software packages and supporting a team in achieving its objectives. Familiarity with ERP systems, particularly Oracle Cloud, is an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with fluency in either Sinhala or Tamil. Knowledge of another official UN language (such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is considered desirable, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate in a diverse environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is open exclusively to Sri Lankan nationals. The role does not carry supervisory responsibilities and is focused on providing administrative and programmatic support. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. 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.