Project Assistant (Supporting Unicef Local Interventions)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. For every child, opportunities. How can you make a difference? Rationale and Justification for the contractual services Starting June 2021, UNICEF is launching a new model for testing the provision of an integrated package of basic and specialized services at community level. The modelling intervention will offer the proven Minimum Package of Services (MPS) and address new types of services and innovative approaches and focus on ensuring sustainability and replicability at local and county level. The intervention will be carried out for 31 months (June 2021-December 2023), targeting 21 communities from Bacau and Brasov county. The implementation of the new model will involve establishing and maintaining several types of partnerships and contracts to ensure the smooth implementation of the modelling project. Timely and efficient project management is in fact key for ensuring effective implementation and delivery of results. Support for implementation, monitoring of activities at local level and donor reporting will be a big component of the work. Taking into consideration the complexity of the implementation strategy, the scale of the interventions and the fact that current management structure of UNICEF is based in Bucharest the project strategy is to have An additional support function in Bucharest consisting of a full-time project assistant. Key tasks and deliverables  Under the supervision of the UNICEF Programme Specialist Local Implementation and in strong collaboration with UNICEF local implementation team, as well as local and county partners from Bacau and Brasov counties, the Project Assistant will ensure logistic and administrative support for the implementation of UNICEF  model “ Ensuring Social inclusion : breaking the vicious cycle of social inclusion for the most vulnerable children”, as follows:

• Provide logistic support to the Programme Specialist for Local Implementation for preparing donor reports, mainly: collecting, verifying, centralizing and archiving documentation received from 8 local partners (county institutions and mayoralties).
• Completes the relevant annexes to the donor reports, in line with specific donor requests, following indications received from the Programme Specialist and in accordance with the current position.
• Facilitate logistics for implementing project activities, mainly: project management monthly meetings, events, capacity building events, including prepare invitations, follow up with participants, arrange transportation, accommodation, venues, document and share meeting results, etc.
• Participate in planning and management meetings and ensure a constant communication flow with relevant partners. Record and keep evidence of the communication with partners.
• Prepare documentation related to project activities, follow up on obtaining needed information from partners.
• Check supporting documentation for payments, seek clearance and approval from relevant UNICEF staff, as established in the work processes and standard operating procedures.
• Maintain constant communication with partners and UNICEF team.
• Act as translator in meetings/ events, translate various documents English/ Romanian;
• Any other task, as requested by supervisor.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Completion of the secondary education, preferably supplemented by post-secondary education in public administration, accounting or project management;
• Five years of progressively responsible for clerical and administrative work, of which minimum two closely related to support for project area activities; Previous project management experience with public institutions is an asset.
• Experience in the implementing projects financed with EU Structural Funds or Norway is considered a strong advantage;
• Proven initiative and good judgement, attention to details;
• Good analytical and communication skills;
• Proven ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines;
• Good interpersonal skills, flexibility, tact and discretion;
• Strong customer orientation;
• Sound time management skills;
• Ability to function as an effective team member;
• Knowledge of Microsoft tools (Word, Excel, Powerpoint);
• Fluency in Romanian and English, spoken and written, is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.   UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. Remarks: The consultant will be based in Bucharest. The contractor will be expected to travel extensively in Bacau and Brasov counties when requested.  Travel expenses will be covered outside this contract. The contract will cover the period of one year with the possibility of extension. The consultant will sign a health statement prior to taking the assignment and the designation form will be completed. UNICEF Terms and Conditions (attached) will apply. Application procedure: The application will be made in the dedicated UNICEF platform and it must include: 1.   an updated CV focused on the skills and experience requested by the current consultancy; 2.   a cover letter underlining the motivation for applying for the position and how the candidate’s experience, skills and experience match the requirements of the position; 3.   a financial offer Financial bid_Project Assistant.docx, specifying the requested net monthly fee in Ron. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.