The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child everywhere and in everything, the organization does — in programs, advocacy, and 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 — will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential and 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 supporting nations’ equitable development.

Purpose for the job:

Under the close supervision and guidance of the programme officer, the programme assistant supports the respective section (s) by carrying out a range of procedural, administrative, and operational tasks, to help develop, implement, and monitor their country programme, ensuring timely and effective delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

How can you make a difference?

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

1. Program Support:

• Assist program officers in planning, implementing, and monitoring activities related to Health, Nutrition, Education, WASH, and CP programs.
• Support the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Contribute to the development of program reports, presentations, and other relevant documents.
• Assist in organizing and coordinating meetings, workshops, and training for program-related activities.
• Maintain proper documentation and filing systems for program-related documents.
• Preparing and maintaining records pertaining to programme planning and development for his/her respective section.

2. Administrative and Operational Support:

• Provide assistance to the head of the outpost in day-to-day administrative and operational tasks.
• Assist in managing office logistics, including procurement of office supplies, inventory management, and maintenance of office equipment.
• Support budget monitoring and financial reporting for the outpost (petty cash management)
• Facilitating the processing of contracts for consultants, vendors, and external partners that support the office in programme delivery. This includes preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TORs in VISION, and making necessary logistical arrangements. Keeps vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters up to date.
• Collecting invoices and filing documents for approval and thereafter processing in VISION and Mycase.
• Supporting the management of administrative supplies and office equipment.
• Assist in organizing and maintaining office records, files, and databases.
• Coordinate and facilitate communication between the outpost and relevant stakeholders.
• Support administrative tasks such as filing documents, organizing meetings, and handling correspondence.
• Assist in monitoring and managing office expenses and budgets related to cleaning and transportation services.
• Collaborate with the operation officer in Kabul to ensure smooth coordination and communication between the outpost and zone office.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs), and making amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary.
• Supporting capacity development activities, meetings, and conferences by making the logistical arrangements, through engaging with facilitators, caterers, and hosts; arranging times through liaising with participants over availability; liaising with budget focal points and section over costs and needs; and preparing background materials for participants.
• Maintaining office calendar and arranging meetings. Taking minutes of meetings and keeping the correspondence of the team well organized.
• Maintaining and updating a system that monitors the absence of staff.

3. Supervision of drivers and office Cleaner:

• Supervise the office drivers, including assigning routes, monitoring their performance, and ensuring compliance with traffic and safety regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of vehicle maintenance, fuel consumption, and driver schedules.
• Conduct regular inspections of vehicles to ensure they are in good working condition and report any repairs or maintenance needs.
• Provide guidance and support to drivers regarding safe driving practices and proper vehicle care.
• Oversee the daily cleaning and maintenance of the office premises.
• Develop and implement a cleaning schedule to ensure all areas are regularly cleaned and maintained.
• Train and guide the office cleaner on proper cleaning procedures, including the use of cleaning equipment and materials.
• Conduct regular inspections to ensure cleanliness standards are met and address any issues or concerns.
• Monitor and maintain inventory of cleaning supplies and equipment.

4. Travel management support:

• Liaise with travel unit colleagues to secure bookings for staff who travel within the country.
• Prepare and distribute travel itineraries and relevant documents to staff members.
• Support staff in preparing travel expense reports, ensuring accuracy and adherence to organizational guidelines.
• Verify travel-related invoices and receipts and process them for reimbursement.
• Maintain records of travel expenses and assist in budget monitoring for travel-related costs.
• Providing travel assistance to staff members in the section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaising with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
• Collaborate with CR operation officer/assistant and finance teams to ensure timely reimbursement to staff members.
• Communicate travel-related policies and procedures to staff, ensuring their understanding and compliance.

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

Education:

• Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the organization’s work, is required.
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.

Experience:

• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible administrative or clerical work experience is required.
• Experience in providing administrative and operational support is desirable.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Having work experience and knowledge of the local context is highly desirable.
• UN experience is an added advantage.

Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative policies and procedures.
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative, and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint.
• Strong office management skills.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Fluency in Dari, the local language of the duty station, is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and 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

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

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.

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

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.