Programme Assistant
Qualifications of Programme Assistant:
- Location: Suva
- Vacancy No: N/A
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: UNV United Nations Volunteers
- Deadline: 2025-09-22
Brief details about Programme Assistant:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board. Read more about the added value of UNV, UN Volunteers and volunteerism. UNV has six Regional Offices in Amman (covering the Arab States), Bangkok (covering Asia and the Pacific), Dakar (covering West and Central Africa), Istanbul (covering Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States), Nairobi (covering East and Southern Africa) and Panama City (covering Latin America and the Caribbean). The regional offices are the first entry point for partners wishing to engage with UNV. They offer UNV services and solutions to government partners, UN entities, civil society and the private sector, and takes the lead in scoping and delivering UNV advisory services on volunteer infrastructure. They also provide oversight and strategic guidance to UNV’s field units in the regions.
Context
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in the Pacific operates across 14 countries through three multi-country offices based in Micronesia, Samoa, and Fiji. The UNV Multi-Country Field Unit (MCFU) in Fiji promotes and advocates for the recognition of volunteerism and manages UN Volunteer assignments in the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, and Tuvalu. Since 1973, UN Volunteers have supported the development efforts of UN agencies, governments, and civil society across the Pacific. UNV Field Units are primarily responsible for mobilizing and placing UN Volunteers with UN agencies, funds, and programmes focused on peace, development, and humanitarian needs. They represent and position UNV in their respective countries, bringing UNV’s services and solutions closer to partners in government, the UN system, civil society, and the private sector. The Fiji MCFU builds and maintains strategic partnerships, coordinates with the UNV Regional Office and HQ, and leads volunteer mobilization, programme implementation, and the facilitation of corporate initiatives. The Programme Assistant supports the Multi-Country Coordinator in increasing the volume of UN Volunteers in the Pacific, ensuring efficient and timely programme operations (partnerships, volunteer mobilization, volunteer management, procurement, etc.), assisting with duty of care, and enhancing the overall satisfaction of UN Volunteers.
Task description
Under the general guidance of the Regional Portfolio Specialist, with day-to-day reporting to the Country Coordinator, the UNV Programme Assistant will provide the below responsibilities as follows: • Assist in managing key accounts for assigned partnerships, ensuring effective collaboration and follow-up. Stay informed on UNV’s evolving offers, policies, and procedures by participating in volunteer management briefings, reviewing corporate Business Intelligence reports, and engaging with proforma narratives. • Support in maintaining and strengthening relationships with assigned UN partner/s in the assigned area, ensuring they understand UNV’s mandate, key offers, and the added value of UN Volunteer assignments in achieving their mandates. • Attend, on behalf of the Country Coordinator, relevant UNCT coordination meetings and report back on potential partnership opportunities. • Provide support to complete all relevant UVP functions for volunteer on-boarding, extension, repatriation actions and monitor and keep records of the contractual status at the UVP of all serving UN volunteers and flag to his/her supervisor follow-up actions on assignment extensions, renewals and replacements. • Support the office on orientation sessions, check-in sessions, and monthly meetings for UN Volunteers. • Provide support to UN Volunteers throughout the volunteer management cycle, ensuring timely assistance and guidance during key life events to foster a smooth, inclusive, and positive volunteer experience. • Support the Country Coordinator in liaising with the respective entities’ security focal points or heads of office as applicable and provide support to ensure a detailed understanding among UN Volunteers on all security-related issues, including assistance with headcounts in emergencies. • Provide timely and accurate support to UN Volunteers undergoing medical evacuation, ensuring coordination with medical providers, host entities, and relevant offices at UNV, while maintaining compliance with established procedures. • Maintain and update inventories of UNV-procured non-expendable equipment, supporting procurement and ensuring records are accurately shared with the regional office. • Assist the Multi-Country Coordinator in responding to UN Volunteer and partner queries, creating mobilization opportunities, and ensuring high partner satisfaction. Prepare presentations, mapping, and other materials to engage potential partners and promote volunteerism. • Provide effective support for advocacy and outreach campaigns (e.g., International Volunteer Day), including presentations to host entities and local volunteer organizations. • Coordinate closely with the Volunteer Solutions Sections (VSS) and Volunteer Service Center (VSC) on talent sourcing, onboarding, contractual monitoring, medical and security evacuations, and end-of-assignment formalities. • Support outreach initiatives to expand the national talent pool and advocate for Online Volunteering (OV) opportunities. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived volunteers to ensure smooth integration. • Collaborate closely with the other two Programme Assistants in the Pacific Multi-Country Field Unit (based in Solomon Islands and Micronesia) to harmonize administrative processes, share knowledge, coordinate cross-country support, and ensure consistent data management, reporting, and partner engagement. • Perform other programme, administrative, or operational duties as assigned by the supervisor. Special Note: This DoA, including the position title, may be revised effective 1 January 2026 to emphasize increased engagement in partnerships and volunteer mobilization in line with evolving corporate priorities.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, or other relevant fields.
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management
Skills and experience
• Experience in volunteer management, partnerships development, operations, or other relevant programmes; experience in human resources management is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations. • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including strong drafting, formulation, and reporting abilities. • High level of accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Strong interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at various levels; familiarity with tools and approaches for communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in challenging environments, and to operate effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.), email, internet, and familiarity with database management and office technology/equipment. • Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines.
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Development programmes, Human resources
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
This is a national UN Volunteer assignment. The UN Volunteer is responsible for arranging their own housing and covering other living essentials during the assignment. UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The allowances provided aim to enable UN Volunteers to maintain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. They do not constitute compensation or salary for the volunteer service. • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): USD 1,003.19 • Entry Lump Sum: USD 400 (one-time payment) • Medical and Life Insurance: Coverage under the Cigna policy • Leave Entitlements: Annual leave, sick leave, learning leave, maternity/paternity leave in accordance with the UNV Conditions of Service • Learning and Career Development: Access to UNV’s learning platforms and professional development resources Exit Lump Sum: USD 83.59 per month served, payable upon completion of the assignment
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