Organization: UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Addis Ababa
Grade: Administrative support – GS-7, General Service – No need for Higher Education – Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Administrative support
Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: 2025-01-06
Description
The Senior Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in UNICEF Ethiopia Country Office, Afar, Amahara and Tigray Field Offices, external partners and agency counterparts in support of the implementation of the programme. S/He regularly monitors financial and programme implementation milestones, provides regular feedback on the status of programme and financial indicators and advises on improvements to keep programme activities on track.
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.
Background and Strategic Context
The conflict in Northern Ethiopia has led to the destruction of infrastructure, disruption of production, and displacement of more than 4.5 million people, resulting in considerable social trauma and economic crisis. Youths have witnessed violence and experienced mass displacement, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had profound effects on their mental health and overall well-being. More than 2.8 million children missed education in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray in 2021, and 4,600 schools in Amhara, nearly 2,000 schools in Tigray, and 545 in Afar were damaged by the conflict (UNICEF 2023). Youth owned and led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in these areas have significantly reduced or shut down their operations, with limited access to finance and recovery support. To recover from these multiple shocks, it is essential to support economically disadvantaged youth, families, and communities in rebuilding their lives, restoring essential services, and reviving the economy.
In response to these challenges, UNICEF and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to codesign and implement the Biqu Wetat (ብቁ ወጣት) Programme. This initiative aims to help young people pursue and sustain opportunities in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment. The program is driven by the belief that equipping young people with knowledge, positive attitudes, and relevant skills, including social-emotional, soft and technical skills through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), can enable them to rebuild social connectedness, become more resilient, and unlock their potential to create positive and sustainable change in their communities.
The program will be implemented in the conflict-affected regions of Afar, Amhara, and Tigray, targeting 50 economically disadvantaged woredas selected through an iterative prioritization process. The program will focus on youth prioritizing the most vulnerable and marginalized, including women, and persons with disabilities. Building on its human rights mandate and commitment to the “leave no one behind” principle (LNOB), the program will ensure that all youth in the affected areas have access to program-supported opportunities and can fulfil their basic needs and rights, regardless of their background, location, gender, or disability.
Purpose of the job
Join our team to lead and support the section’s financial management, monitoring, and reporting, and will support capacity building to the counterparts and partners from national to sub-national level in financial management and reporting in line with UNICEF Harmonized approach to cash transfers (HACT) requirements as well as the basic financial rules and regulations of the government.
Under the supervision and guidance of the Program Manager, the senior programme associate provides a range of procedural, administrative, and operational support in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring the Biqu Wetat (ብቁ ወጣት) programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.
Purpose of the job
Join our team to lead and support the section’s financial management, monitoring, and reporting, and will support capacity building to the counterparts and partners from national to sub-national level in financial management and reporting in line with UNICEF Harmonized approach to cash transfers (HACT) requirements as well as the basic financial rules and regulations of the government.
Under the supervision and guidance of the Program Manager, the senior programme associate provides a range of procedural, administrative, and operational support in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring the Biqu Wetat (ብቁ ወጣት) programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.
Minimum requirements:
Education:
Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.
A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in business administration, public administration, social sciences, international relations, or other related areas may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible administrative or financial management experience is required.
- Good handling of data and spreadsheets using excel is required together with an ability to effectively manage the programme’s material resources and monitor its budget.
- A high sense of confidentiality, initiative, attention to detail, and good judgment are required.
- Good communication skills, ability to work in cross-functional teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders are required.
Skills:
- Strong analytical, organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills and abilities are an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Amharic language is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) or the local language is an asset.
Desirables:
- Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint are an asset.
- Prior experience in private sector or programme support functions is an asset.
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
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.
How to apply
Simply click on the apply button, fill out of the form, and upload your documents