Batch Vacancy Announcement – Fixed Term: Programme Associate (Education), GS-6, Islamabad (118766), Lahore (118769), Peshawar 118770, Quetta (118767 &

UNICEF works in some of the world toughest places, to reach the world most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Education!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilisers, communities and families, and of course the children and adolescents themselves.

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives – being in good health, immunized, protected from polio and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website www.unicef.org/pakistan and videos on YouTube and Vimeo

Under the supervision and guidance of the Education Manager/ Specialist/Prog. Budget Officer as the case may be, the Programme Associate supports the Education section at Country or Field Office level by carrying out a range of programme and financial support functions to help develop, implement and monitor their country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the Field Office, Country Office, external partners and agency counterparts in support of programme design and delivery. S/He regularly monitors the allocation and utilization of funds, generates financial reports and analysis, and ensures efficient utilization of funds and compliance with donor conditions. Provides support on improvements to keep activities on track by employing various financial tools.

To make a difference, the incumbent shall be responsible for following key strategic functions, accountabilities and related duties/ tasks;

• Regularly monitoring budgets and financial expenditures of section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up.
• Preparing monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Helping prepare periodic or ad-hoc financial reports including manual record keeping of various expenditures in accordance with the proposal documents and support yearly and or quarterly forecasting to request funds from the donors, including specific responsibility to support provincial GPE funded Education Sector Programme Implementation Grants and EU grants, as applicable.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants and programme-related items for his/her section including but not limited to support allocations and tracking expiring programme grants.
• Ensuring the timely and accurate recording and administrative processing of government & NGOs proposals and requests for direct cash transfers (DCTs).
• Support in development of annual supply plans, procurement of goods as well as monitoring and tracking the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.
• Creation of contracts and monitoring the status for the timely extension, closure, and processing payments to utilize the funds before expiry of the grants.
• Facilitating the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) by providing information and drafting selected sections of it.
• Conducting programme monitoring in UNICEF focus districts for cash and supplies and informing team-members on the status.
• Helping conduct regular spot checks of partners projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls and reporting systems.
• Supporting the programme section in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.
• Supports capacity development activities related to programmed development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• 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 financial management or 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 local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The competencies required for this post are Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1), Works Collaboratively with others (1), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1), Innovates and Embraces Change (1), Thinks and Acts Strategically (1), Drive to achieve impactful results (1), Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

View our competency framework at Competency Framework Brochure.pdf

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. Our contracts, benefits and wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

UNICEFs active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, suitable female candidates will receive preferential consideration and selection, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements stated above.

Remarks:

• These posts are effective 1-Mar-2022. These are 5 positions in total – 1 in Islamabad, 1 in Lahore, 1 in Peshawar and 2 in Quetta.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Higher Education Commission (HEC) attested Degree(s) are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment process candidates will be required to present HEC attested degrees/certificates.