Senior Programme Assistant

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Position Title: Senior Programme Assistant
Location: Addis Ababa
Country: Ethiopia
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was established in 2010 with the mission to enhance the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, particularly in the areas of peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization aims to provide coordinated and consistent advice to the African Union, focusing on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support. UNOAU is instrumental in implementing the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, which was signed on April 19, 201

• The office is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and plays a critical role in streamlining the UN's presence in the region to ensure cost-effective and efficient delivery of assistance to the African Union. The organization operates with a commitment to high standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and emphasizes the importance of gender equality and diversity in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Senior Programme Assistant position is situated within the Office of the Chief of Staff in the Mission Planning Unit at UNOAU. The incumbent will be responsible for providing comprehensive programme and project management assistance throughout all phases of the programme/project cycle. This role requires a high level of independence, as the Senior Programme Assistant will manage a large and complex component of the office's initiatives, seeking guidance only in exceptional circumstances. Key functions include researching and compiling data on various programmes/projects, tracking legislative decisions that impact programme content, and ensuring compliance with established guidelines. The role also involves budget preparation, monitoring financial transactions, and drafting reports and correspondence related to programme activities. The Senior Programme Assistant will play a vital role in establishing internal databases, managing data relevant to programme activities, and assisting with data analysis and presentations. This position is crucial for supporting the overall mission of UNOAU and ensuring effective communication and coordination within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Programme Assistant will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Providing full programme/project management assistance at all phases of the programme/project cycle.
• Researching, compiling, analyzing, and summarizing information/data on a wide range of programmes/projects.
• Tracking resolutions and legislative decisions affecting programme/project content and overseeing the preparation of relevant databases.
• Reviewing and appraising submissions for substantive programmes/projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines.
• Drafting budgets and forecasts based on submissions and preparing monitoring checklists.
• Monitoring budgetary commitments and preparing periodic budget revisions.
• Drafting reports on programme/project-related activities and inputs for various documents.
• Arranging for formal closures of projects and managing the transfer of equipment and final reports.
• Providing secretariat services to committees and drafting meeting minutes. 1
• Establishing internal databases and managing data relevant to programme/project activities. 1
• Assisting with data collection and analysis for information sharing and decision-making. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A first-level university degree or higher is preferred, which may reduce the minimum years of relevant experience required. Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation, or a related area. Experience in using PowerPoint and Excel is essential, and familiarity with data visualization tools such as PowerBI is desirable. Experience working within the United Nations System or a comparable international organization is also preferred. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of experience in data analytics or a related field.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, candidates with a first-level university degree or higher will have a reduced experience requirement, making them more competitive for the role. The educational background should ideally include coursework or training relevant to programme/project administration or management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation, or a related area. This requirement is reduced to eight years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Candidates should have experience in using relevant software tools, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, and experience in data visualization is considered an asset. Experience working within the United Nations System or similar international organizations is highly desirable, as is experience in data analytics or related fields.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required for this position. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additionally, knowledge of local dialects is desirable, which may enhance communication within the local context.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is for an initial period of one year. The selection process will adhere to the United Nations Staff Selection System and include a compliance review process. This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. Staff members recruited locally are not eligible for international recruitment allowances or benefits. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and diversity in its workforce, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its recruitment process.