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, health

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.

UNICEF and WFP have agreed to carry out a project to construct a new UNICEF/WFP Shared Premises within the land that is owned by UNICEF at Mbuya, Kampala, Uganda and have agreed that UNICEF will be the lead agency in the project.

To successfully implement the UNICEF/WFP wishes to recruit a competent and experienced Project Associate to work closely with the Project Manager and the Project Architect to provide administration and liaison support for the design of the new UNICEF/WFP office building. The Project Associate will be involved in liaising amongst UNICEF, WFP & the Design company. The Associate will give support in every respect to the Project Manager.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Project Associate is responsible for executing a broad variety of procedural and specialized administrative tasks for the construction of the joint UNICEF/WFP project in Mbuya requiring in-depth knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies. This involves coordinating meetings between stakeholders and report conclusions to the Project Manager and act as the “go to” person between the constructors and the agency. The Project Associate will provide support to promote the smooth operation of the process, reducing the ever-present risk of misunderstanding and delay. The Project Associate will be a key member of a technical team of three – the Project Manager, the Project Architect and a Project Associate. This team will work under the guidance of the Project Management Team Committee consisting of senior staff members from both UNICEF & WFP.

 

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

  1. Project & Contract Management:
  • Coordinate the engagement with the design company, contractor and other project stakeholders.
  • Ensures the availability of timely, complete and accurate information and data for preparing project work plans and management plans.
  • Undertakes basic research and performs comparative analysis of project related data and construction companies.
  • Supports project implementation monitoring against established milestones and makes recommendations to improve performance. Helps ensure timely compliance with agreed deadlines.
  • Acts as focal point in the review of the completeness of data reports with key monitoring and evaluation information.
  • Follows up variation approvals and contracts amendments, if needed, and gets required signatures.
  1. Invoice Processing & Budget Monitoring:
  • Collects invoices and filing documents for approval and thereafter processing in VISION. Uploads electronic files and verifies results to destination system.
  • Carries out transactions pertaining to grants for the project such as registering grant allotments and tracking expiring grants.
  • Responds to transaction status and other inquiries.
  • Monitors budgets and financial expenditures of project, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision/follow up.
  • Prepares and maintains records, documents and control plans for the budget monitoring of project implementation.
  1. Administration & Office Planning:
  • Maintains office calendar and arranges meetings with project stakeholders.
  • Takes minutes of meetings, ensuring accuracy, attention to detail and coherence. Disseminates with attendants and archive in project file.
  • Supports management of administrative supplies, office equipment, and updating inventory of items used by the project management team.
  • Maintains and updates a system which monitors the attendance and absence of project staff.
  1. Communications:
  • Facilitates communication different project stakeholders to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of operations and outputs.
  • Manages incoming and outgoing correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls.
  • Communicates routine and some non-routine information pertaining to the work of the project management team.
  • Establishes and maintains the office filing and reference systems, both traditional and digital; and ensures the inter/intra-net websites are up to date and accurate.

 

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

Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university course in Business, Management, Communication, Law or a related area.  A qualification in Architecture, Engineering or a related field is an added advantage.

Experience: A minimum of 6 years of relevant administrative or financial experience is required. Experience in support of Architecture, Engineering or a related projects is an added advantage.

Language Requirement: 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: E. Africa Standard Time

Deadline: E. Africa Standard Time

CLICK HERE TO APPLY >>>

PLEASE SHARE TO