Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Education

The Programme Associate (G‑6) is embedded within Education Programme Section, reporting to the Section Chief, Education. This role bridges operational delivery by liaising regularly with multiple units—Programme, Operations, Finance, Supply—and with external partners (government ministries, NGOs, donors).

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Programme Associate provides specialized programme and administrative support to facilitate the development, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF's programmes. The role involves substantial engagement in data analysis, budget tracking, reporting, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery and compliance with organizational rules. Incumbent exercises judgment, anticipates needs, and recommends actions that contribute to programme planning, implementation and reporting results.

Responsibilities or duties

Key functions:

1. Project Management and Implementing Partnership Coordination

• Support overall project planning, execution, and monitoring for assigned initiatives
• Assist in establishment and operationalizing implementing partnership management functions by coordinating the processes required for risk assessments (Due Diligence, PSEA and Micro-Assessment, Spot checks)
• Work with Programme Managers, Partners and relevant stakeholders in ensuring Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures (FACE) requests submitted are aligned with the project workplan and processed timely.
• Monitors prompt liquidation of Direct Cash Transfer (DCTs)

2. Data Management, Analysis & Reporting

• Contribute to collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative programme data to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Generate regular reports, dashboards and presentations on key performance indicators and donor reporting.
• Support the application of digital and AI tools for synthesizing complex data and creating actionable insights for statutory reports, dashboards and presentations on key performance indicators.

3. Grant Management, Budget Monitoring and Reporting

• Regularly track budget allocations, expenditures and monitor grant utilization for the section and individual grants using relevant systems (e.g., SAP).
• Contribute to grants management, monitor their expiry, and support reprogramming or extension processes.
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc grant management reports for supervisors, programme leads and for donor reporting.
• Facilitate generating funds utilization report to track expenditures and commitments.
• Contribute to the development of funding proposals and the preparation of statutory reports, ensuring timely submissions.

4. Digital Innovation & Operational Efficiency

• Use AI, automation tools and digital platforms to streamline repetitive tasks, such as data analysis and report generation.
• Serve as a resource for digital platforms (e.g., SAP, Service Gateway, Power BI, Sharepoint) within the section.
• Safeguard sensitive data and ensure adherence to UNICEF’s data privacy and digital workforce guidelines

5. Communication, Knowledge Sharing and (Stakeholder Engagement) Dissemination

• Draft clear and well-structured communication to share reports, briefs, and knowledge products for internal and external use.
• Maintain effective document repository systems and Sharepoint for digital and physical programme documentation.
• Contribute to knowledge generation and documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
• Support onboarding of new colleagues and knowledge transfer within the team.

6. Capacity Building & Event Coordination

• Support the organization of capacity development activities, workshops and field missions.
• Assist in preparation and dissemination of background materials, track logistics, coordinate vendor engagement and liaise with participants.

7. Flexibility & Surge Support

• Adapt to shifting programme needs and provide support during emergency responses, surge deployments or re-prioritization events.
• Liaison with focal points and provide backup support to other programme sections to ensure business continuity and team support.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Capabilities Required

1. Project Management (3)

• Create project plans, objectives and deliverables
• Track and organize resources like time, budget, and team efforts
• Identify and report potential risks for further guidance

2. Collaboration (3)

• Navigate organizational dynamics and adapt behavior to respond to different situations
• Choose appropriate words, tone and tailors' messages respectfully and persuasively to suit different audiences
• Write clear, concise and well-structured reports and documents using appropriate language
• Pay close attention to what others are saying, asking questions for clarification
• Present ideas and information clearly in front of groups

3. Problem Solving (3)

• Analyze data, identify trends, patterns and anomalies
• Evaluate information, analyze problems, identify underlying causes and risks
• Summarize and communicate findings, focusing on actionable insights to support decision-making
• Make decisions in time-sensitive situations, even with incomplete information
• Assess the potential impact of solutions (costs, benefits and risks)

4. Digital Dexterity (3)

• Utilize AI-powered tools and platforms to automate data analysis
• Apply prompts to improve the quality of reports and data, ensuring alignment with internal regulations and policies
• Use specialist technology business systems and software
• Analyze and summarize data from various business systems to generate reports and insights

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.

Experience needed

Work Experience:

• A minimum of six years of administrative or clerical work experience is required. Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Skills (optional):

• [Insert technical and non-technical 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.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR hereDownload File GJP Programme Associate G6.docx]

• Support overall project planning, execution, and monitoring for assigned initiatives
• Assist in establishment and operationalizing implementing partnership management functions by coordinating the processes required for risk assessments (Due Diligence, PSEA and Micro-Assessment, Spot checks)
• Work with Programme Managers, Partners and relevant stakeholders in ensuring Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures (FACE) requests submitted are aligned with the project workplan and processed timely.
• Monitors prompt liquidation of Direct Cash Transfer (DCTs)
• Contribute to collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative programme data to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Generate regular reports, dashboards and presentations on key performance indicators and donor reporting.
• Support the application of digital and AI tools for synthesizing complex data and creating actionable insights for statutory reports, dashboards and presentations on key performance indicators.
• Regularly track budget allocations, expenditures and monitor grant utilization for the section and individual grants using relevant systems (e.g., SAP).
• Contribute to grants management, monitor their expiry, and support reprogramming or extension processes.
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc grant management reports for supervisors, programme leads and for donor reporting.
• Facilitate generating funds utilization report to track expenditures and commitments.
• Contribute to the development of funding proposals and the preparation of statutory reports, ensuring timely submissions.
• Use AI, automation tools and digital platforms to streamline repetitive tasks, such as data analysis and report generation.
• Serve as a resource for digital platforms (e.g., SAP, Service Gateway, Power BI, Sharepoint) within the section.
• Safeguard sensitive data and ensure adherence to UNICEF’s data privacy and digital workforce guidelines
• Draft clear and well-structured communication to share reports, briefs, and knowledge products for internal and external use.
• Maintain effective document repository systems and Sharepoint for digital and physical programme documentation.
• Contribute to knowledge generation and documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
• Support onboarding of new colleagues and knowledge transfer within the team.
• Support the organization of capacity development activities, workshops and field missions.
• Assist in preparation and dissemination of background materials, track logistics, coordinate vendor engagement and liaise with participants.
• Adapt to shifting programme needs and provide support during emergency responses, surge deployments or re-prioritization events.
• Liaison with focal points and provide backup support to other programme sections to ensure business continuity and team support.

• Create project plans, objectives and deliverables
• Track and organize resources like time, budget, and team efforts
• Identify and report potential risks for further guidance
• Navigate organizational dynamics and adapt behavior to respond to different situations
• Choose appropriate words, tone and tailors' messages respectfully and persuasively to suit different audiences
• Write clear, concise and well-structured reports and documents using appropriate language
• Pay close attention to what others are saying, asking questions for clarification
• Present ideas and information clearly in front of groups
• Analyze data, identify trends, patterns and anomalies
• Evaluate information, analyze problems, identify underlying causes and risks
• Summarize and communicate findings, focusing on actionable insights to support decision-making
• Make decisions in time-sensitive situations, even with incomplete information
• Assess the potential impact of solutions (costs, benefits and risks)
• Utilize AI-powered tools and platforms to automate data analysis
• Apply prompts to improve the quality of reports and data, ensuring alignment with internal regulations and policies
• Use specialist technology business systems and software
• Analyze and summarize data from various business systems to generate reports and insights

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.
• A minimum of six years of administrative or clerical work experience is required. Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.