Programme Management Assistant

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Programme Management Assistant
Location: New York
Country: United States
Deadline Date: 4 July 2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Western Africa Division of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA/DPO) of the United Nations. The organization is dedicated to promoting peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in various regions, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel. The DPPA/DPO is responsible for monitoring political developments, providing support for peace operations, and facilitating political dialogue and peacebuilding initiatives. The organization operates in multiple countries across West Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, and aims to address challenges and threats in these regions through effective program management and coordination.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director for West Africa and the Sahel by assisting in the management of departmental programs and projects. This position involves monitoring international developments related to assigned subjects, preparing documentation, and ensuring the smooth operation of program activities. The assistant will compile and summarize information, maintain communication with various UN units and agencies, and manage administrative tasks related to program coordination. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. The assistant will also be responsible for drafting correspondence, managing files, and providing guidance to junior staff, making it essential for the candidate to possess strong organizational and communication skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Management Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Monitoring international developments related to assigned subjects and preparing documentation for departmental programs and projects.
• Compiling working documents and summarizing information for briefing materials and correspondence.
• Maintaining contact with DPPA Units, Special Political Missions, UN Agencies, and coordinating with service units at UNHQ and in the field.
• Reviewing working documents for completeness and identifying inconsistencies before submission for approval.
• Verifying the availability of funds and ensuring necessary approvals are processed in the computerized system.
• Acting as the focal point for extra-budgetary matters and coordinating administrative actions related to program activities.
• Compiling and summarizing data on project delivery and drafting status reports.
• Drafting routine correspondence and processing incoming and outgoing correspondence.
• Providing general office assistance, responding to information requests, and organizing meetings and workshops. 1
• Guiding and training new or junior staff members. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of five years of experience in program or project administration, technical cooperation, or a related area is required. Candidates with a first-level university degree or higher may have the minimum experience requirement reduced to three years. Experience with UN administrative electronic tools, such as Umoja or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, is essential. Additionally, experience in general office support within the UN Secretariat or other international organizations is desirable, along with experience in organizing travel and managing travel requests through ERP systems. Candidates should also have experience providing support to high-level officials and field operations.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. While no specific job-related qualifications are listed, candidates with higher education degrees may be preferred, particularly those with a first-level university degree or higher, which can reduce the experience requirement.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in program or project administration, technical cooperation, or a related area. Candidates with a first-level university degree or higher may qualify with only three years of experience. Experience with UN administrative electronic tools and general office support within the UN or other international organizations is highly desirable. Additionally, experience in organizing travel and managing requests through ERP systems, as well as providing support to high-level officials and field operations, is beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English is required for this position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 4 July 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position is subject to local recruitment, and applicants must be authorized to work for the United Nations in New York. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for their relocation expenses. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusive to international recruitment. The selection for this position is for a limited period and does not affect future incumbency of the post. The eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities upon request.