Programme Associate, Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA)

Background

UN Women has been working in Afghanistan since 2002 (as UNIFEM until 2010). Afghanistan has emerged as one of the world’s most complex emergencies. The crisis dynamics in the country are multi-layered, and Afghanistan’s people are facing the devastating effects of successive decades of conflict, increasing poverty, economic decline and natural disasters, all of which are amplified by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the Humanitarian Response Plan 2022, 24.4 million Afghans – more than half of the country’s estimated population of 42 million – are projected to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2022, with a staggering 55 per cent of the population expected to face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.

In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs. Women’s fundamental rights have been continually threatened since the Taliban takeover and the limited gains made over the past twenty years are now at risk of being erased – and at worst regressed. The contest around gender norms remains at the center of the political, peace and security landscape in Afghanistan, putting women and girls at the frontlines of this crisis. Responding to this crisis, the UN Women Afghanistan Country Office is consolidating its programming under the humanitarian-peace-development nexus, anchored in the Country Office Strategic Note (2018-2022), and continues to deliver on its triple mandate across four thematic areas: 1) Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action; 2) Ending Violence Against Women; 3) Women Economic Empowerment; and 4) Women’s Leadership and Participation. UN Women Afghanistan thereby capitalizes on its five Sub-Offices located in the provinces Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar respectively, and is part of inter-agency Joint UN initiatives, such as the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA)

Under the overall guidance of the GiHA Programme Manager, the Programme Associate works with and provides support to members of the GiHA team in the development and implementation of effective programmes consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Programme Associate contributes to financial management, and programme implementation including providing necessary operational, administrative and programmatic support. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff as required for resolving complex programme-related issues and exchange of information

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide advanced administrative and logistical support to the formulation and management of GiHA programmes

Provide advanced administrative support and inputs in the preparation of programme work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements;
Provide technical guidance on programme delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances;
Coordinate the collection of information for the audit of programmes/ projects and support implementation of audit recommendations;
Review programme data from programmes/ projects for website;
Identify sources, and gather and compile data and information for documents, guidelines, speeches, reports, and position papers.

Provide advanced administrative support to the financial management of the GiHA Unit

Create projects in Atlas, prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of a project;
Monitor budget preparation and the finances of programmes/projects; prepare periodic reports; finalize FACE forms;
Review financial reports; prepare non-PO vouchers for development projects;
Maintain internal expenditures control system; post transactions in Atlas;
Create requisitions in Atlas for development projects; register good receipts in Atlas;
Prepare and follow up of cost-recovery bills in Atlas.

Provide advanced administrative support to the GiHA Unit

Oversee all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements for organization for meetings, workshops, events, and missions;
Oversee travel arrangements for the GiHA Team, including travel requisitions and claims;
Prepare public information materials and briefing packs;
Prepare and assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations; contribute inputs to the materials;

Provide administrative support to Resource Mobilization under GiHA

Prepare cost-sharing and other agreements; follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts;
Organize, compile and process information from donors, /CO, and programme team, as inputs to various databases and documents.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing on GiHA

Provide administrative support to synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices related to programme management and finance;
Provide administrative support to the organization of training for the office staff and partners on programme and operations related issues.

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Creative Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

Ability to provide support administrative processes and transactions;
Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats;
Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence and reports information and workflow;
Strong financial and budgeting skills;
Strong IT skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

Completion of secondary education required.
Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration is an asset

Experience:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management/support;
Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages;
Experience in handling of web-based management systems, such as Atlas is an asset;
Experience in supporting a team.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Dari and/or Pashto is required
Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.