Programme Associate, SROC, Kingston Jamaica, GS-7

The Position:

The Programme Associate supports the design, planning and management of UNFPA’s country programme by managing data inputs, providing logistical support, monitoring project implementation and following up on recommendations.

Reports to the Deputy Director and provide functional support to Programme Advisers and Specialists.

The Programme Associate position is located in the Sub-regional Office and reports to the Deputy Director and provide functional support to Programme Advisers and Specialists. 

At the G-7 level, the Programme Associate will coordinate SROC’s implementing partners’ management system and facilitate enhanced integration between operations and programmes which includes ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures, facilitating capacity building trainings and sessions and support in procurement processes and payments to suppliers and consultants.

Work Relations:

Establish and maintain contacts with SROC programme clerks, liaison and programme officers as well as all staff of implementing partners involved in the sub-regional programme. Contacts with staff and other personnel promote achievement of common goals and shared objectives, and demonstrate personal commitment to UNFPA’s mandate and organizational vision. The incumbent responds to non-routine queries and provides explanations on matters which may be complex requiring thorough knowledge of policies and procedures of the work area.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Programme Associate contributes to the development and implementation of effective regional and country programmes in the Sub-region by providing support in the design, planning and management of UNFPA’s programmes in the following functions:

• Performance Oversight
• Research Support
• Financial Management 

You would be responsible for: 

1. Performance Oversight

• Develop implementing partners’ and UNFPA work plans, process these and prepare revisions when necessary;
• Conduct training sessions with staff and partners on use of UNFPA Results Resources Plan system  for implementing partners’ management IP management;
• Coordinate submission of reports, both substantive and financial, on sub-regional and national programme development, monitoring and evaluation;
• Contribute to oversight functions of the SRO by maintaining schedules of programme and management audits and assisting in the monitoring and follow up of related audit recommendations; and
• Establish programme planning information and schedules on country and regional programme cycles in the region. 
• Support in the quality management of SROC Implementing Partners including monitoring of SROC IP Data Hub.
• Support to management and monitoring of UNFPA work plan in the Results Resources Plan system  which integrates financial and performance information.

2. Research Support

• Design and manage specialized data banks on (i) Programme/projects profiles, for development, implementation and evaluation purposes and (ii) best practices in programme design/implementation for knowledge sharing;
• Consolidate and maintain the inventory of pipeline projects for submission to donors for co- financing; and
• Represent the SROC in in relevant committees, inter-agency collaboration and networks in Jamaica.

3. Financial Management and procurement

• Review and analyze past and current expenditures including trends in pattern of resource allocation in order to prepare recommendations for distribution;
• Coordinate submission of financial reports of co-finance programmes, including the review and finalization of inputs for financial reports for donors;
• Monitor the overall expenditure targets among sub-regional programme outcomes in accordance with UNFPA’s global resource allocation system and annual guidelines; 
• Any other related duties that maybe assigned. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:

Completed secondary level education required. First level university degree in public administration, finance, or economics desirable.

Experience:

• Seven years of relevant experience in the management of data support systems and in financial management in the private or public sector.
• Strong organizational skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
• Sound interpersonal skills
• Ability to use analytical tools and logic to gather, define information, situations, problems, and draw logical conclusions to the data;
• Make timely and appropriate decisions, taking into consideration, various and complex issues.

  Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is an asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact 

Functional Competencies

• Logistical support
• Managing data
• Managing documents, correspondence and reports
• Managing information and workflow
• Planning, organizing and multi-tasking
• Managing financial processes
• Job knowledge / technical expertise

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.