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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built, we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Click here to experience our country through the perspective of our colleagues by clicking on this Link

For every child, Commitment

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

How can you make a difference:

Background:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Purpose for the job:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief of Field Operations and Emergency, the Programme Associate will carry out a range of programme support and administrative functions ensuring effective and timely delivery consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. 

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Chief of Field Operations, staff in the CO, external partners, and agency counterparts to support programme design and delivery. S/He provides regular feedback on project status through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:

• Strengthen the management of the two new third-party contracts related to state and LGA facilitators and health consultants and support the transition from the current 3^rd party (CTG).
• Ensure clear segregation of duties between the contract manager (CFS) and supply section.
• Provide additional administrative support to CFS.
• Ensure follow-up on action points from the bi-monthly CFO meetings with every chief field office (KPI presentations, inputs to documents, reports).
• Keep a central repository (excel tracker) of chiefs of field offices’ travels, OIC, and leave)
• Ensure Field Service SharePoint contains updated documents (state briefing, key sitan data on each state etc.) by regularly liaising with CFOs.
• Provide support in organizing travels (follow up with administration on car booking, flights etc.)
• Carry out specific operational/control tasks for programme/project implementation.
• Provide thorough financial support by summarizing information reflecting current obligations (e.g. Open commitments) and future programme and/or budgetary implications. 
• Conducting programme monitoring in UNICEF focus districts for cash and supplies and informing team-members on the status.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Terms of Reference - Prog. Associate GS6 TA , Abuja Nigeria.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the organization's work. For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration would be preferable.
• A minimum of six years of administrative or clerical work experience. Prior experience in programme support functions and relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization are considered assets.

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in the above disciplines may replace three years of relevant experience.

A master’s degree from a recognized academic institution in the above discipline may replace five years of relevant work experience.

• Knowledge of internal auditing and accounting systems is an asset.
• Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Good analytical skills.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative, and good judgment.
• In-depth knowledge of the administration which underpins UNICEF country office programme/project operations, including monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s core values of care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.