Programme Assistant – UNV jobs in Kenya

• Location: Kenya
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: UNV
• Gender: Both
• Deadline:  2024-03-11

Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.
UN-Habitat is the coordinating agency within the United Nations System for human settlement activities and in collaboration with governments is responsible for promoting and consolidating collaboration with all partners, including local authorities, private and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, Goal 11 of “Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, as well as the task manager of the human settlements chapter of Agenda 21 and focal point for the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the New Urban Agenda adopted during the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III),held in Quito, Ecuador, in 2016.

Context
UN-Habitat established the Innovation Unit under the Knowledge and Innovation Branch within the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation (ERSKI) Division in Nairobi as a specialized unit to strengthen innovative thinking, practice and solutions both within the organization and externally for the benefit of our partners and the beneficiaries we serve. The Innovation Unit promotes an innovation culture for improved sustainable urbanization outcomes, acts as an enabler and broker for new ideas and partnerships for inclusive and at scale impacts, develops knowledge and tools to strengthen innovation, and promotes innovation in project and programme design and implementation by providing advice on tools, methodologies, technologies and partnerships. The Innovation Unit also hosts the People-Centred Smart Cities flagship programme of UN-Habitat.

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is to backstop and support project administrative tasks in the Innovation Unit which include, but are not limited to, project administration, follow-ups, logistics and operations, contract processing, payments (vendors and consultants), note-taking and minute writing.

Results Expected:

Contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Innovation Unit by providing reliable administrative coordination support in areas of programme/project planning and preparation of activities and general office support services to the Project Managers in the assigned areas of responsibility. Processes work and requisite follow-up accomplished under some supervision and seeks advice from and/or reporting to supervisor as needed. Accurately prepares reports. Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines and procedures. Effectively and promptly, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally, as requested.

Task description
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Knowledge and Innovation Branch, UN-Habitat, Nairobi, Kenya, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

· Performs, under minimal supervision, the full range of office management and administrative support functions.

· Assists in the following budget and finance tasks:

o Reviews cost plans/budgets for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures before submission for final approval and signature,
o Verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in the budget system,
o Drafts correspondence on budget-related issues and prepares and updates periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc.,
o Processes and follows up on the invoices/payment requests for consultants, meeting participants, contractors and vendors,
o Prepares and/or processes administrative requests/documents (e.g. requisitions, purchase orders, travel requests, contracts, expenditure authorizations, etc.).
o Follows up on payments until completion.

· Performs general administrative tasks:

o Leave and attendance recording,
o Arrangements for meetings and other events,
o Attends meetings, prepares minutes, and monitors follow-up activities,
o Administrative and logistics support to meetings, boards, committees, conferences, etc.,
o Maintains unit calendar/schedules,
o Prepares, processes, and follows up on administrative arrangements and forms related to the official travel of staff and consultants.

· Contract administration:

o Assists with the day-to-day administration of contracts in the unit,
o Prepares and processes all UN forms and permissions for contractual work in the Innovation unit such as UN grounds passes,
o Processes the payment of contractors and vendors invoices/payment requests.

· Takes part and supports registration, logistics and operations of Innovation Unit events.

· Ensures timekeeping of current unit tasks.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation, or related areas. 1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable;

· Prior experience working in the UN or other international organizations is desirable;
· Experience and knowledge of the UN Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) SAP system is highly desirable;
· Excellent oral and written communication skills; this includes the ability to handle correspondence, and communicate effectively with individuals at various organizational levels;
· Accuracy and professionalism in document production;
· Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
· Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
· Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
· Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Business management, Development programmes

Driving license
–

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in business administration (finance), human resources, project/programme management, finance, accounting or related disciplines.

Competencies and values
· Accountability
· Client Orientation
· Commitment and Motivation
· Communication
· Planning and Organizing
· Professionalism
· Respect for Diversity
· Working in Teams

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; Nation-al Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both UN-Habitat and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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