Project Assistant /National Position

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) and domestic violence (DV) are widespread social problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), constituting serious violations of fundamental human rights. This type of violence is still seen and tolerated as “socially acceptable behaviour” and is justified by the prevailing socially accepted gender norms on the role and status of women in the family and in society. Results of the first countrywide Survey on Prevalence and Characteristics of Violence against Women (2013) and Survey on Women Well Being and Safety (OSCE, 2019) indicated that almost half of women older than fifteen have been subjected to one or more forms of violence at least once in their lifetime. This research confirmed that women in BiH are exposed to a high risk of experiencing violence, primarily through their immediate, intimate relationships with partners and family, and secondarily in their broader community. Women who suffer multiple forms of discrimination such as women with disabilities, Roma women and rural women are at greater risk of experiencing such violence.

UN Women Country Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to supporting governmental and non-governmental led processes in the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and strengthening institutional and social response mechanisms to end violence against women and domestic violence. These efforts have been intensive since 2016 through the implementation of the project “Standards and Engagement for Ending Violence against Women and Domestic Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2016 – 2019)” and implementation of UN Women strategic Note 2015 – 2021 both supported by Sweden and the regional program on ending violence against women “Implementing Norms, Changing Minds” funded by the European Union. Work on the EVAW forms on the core objectives of UN Women Strategic Note 2021 – 2025.

Under the direct supervision of the EVAW Programme Coordinator and overall supervision of the Programme Specialist, the Project Assistant supports the activities of the implementation of UN Women strategic Note 2021 – 2025 supported by Sweden and the regional program on ending violence against women “Implementing Norms, Changing Minds” funded by the European Union. The incumbent performs a variety of standard administrative processes ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. The Project Assistant promotes a client, quality and results-oriented approach. The Project Assistant works in close collaboration with the EVAW project staff and the operations team to ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support to the implementation of project activities

Support full compliance of project activities with UN Women rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
Support the design of project activities and project documents (proposals and narrative reports);
Support the development of work plans;
Supports the recruitment, human resource and overall programme and operational processes necessary for the implementation of the project activities;
Draft routine official correspondence/documents and assists in the preparation of needed project documents;
Provide support to organizing and holding meetings, minute taking, including the preparation and dissemination of information and follow-up;
Provide support to implementing partners;
Establish effective working relations and good communication with institutional counterparts, CSOs and with other partner UN agencies;
Support the coordination of stakeholders (government and CSO partners) performed by the project staff;

Provision of administrative and logistical support to the EVAW Team

Support the organization of procurement processes including preparation of Requests for Quotation, Invitations to Bid or Requests for Proposal documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their preliminary evaluation;
Arrange travel and hotel reservations, preparation of travel authorizations, processing requests for visas, identity cards and other documents;
Provide administrative support to conferences, workshops, retreats;
Maintain the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials;
Assist in the preparation of budget and provision of information for audit or project evaluations;
Provide translation and interpretation as required for project activities;
Organizes translation and interpretation services in accordance with business processes;

Support to Business Processes

Ensure that business processes followed by the project are in line with the UN Women rules and regulations, policies and internal control framework;
Create requisitions in the online corporate management system;
Support the creation and stores project budgets;
Assist in timely reporting;
Ensure timely submission of monthly leave reports and attendance record cards;

Support to the knowledge management processes

Provide necessary administrative support for effective knowledge management to be shared with the team;
Participate in the training for the operations/projects staff on administration;
Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The project assistant’s performance will have an impact on the results of the project and the implementation of its activities. Accurate analysis, data entry and presentation of information will support proper project implementation, strengthen the capacity of the team and promote positive results. The efficient performance of this position is crucial for the success of the project.

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 extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve operational problems,
Ability to perform work of confidential nature and handle a large volume of work,
Ability to support a team and team building skills,
Strong IT skills and ability to apply it consistently in work tasks,
Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations, organizational policies and procedures related to the position and ability to apply it consistently in work tasks,
Focus on results and positive response to feedback,
Attention to detail,
Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things,
Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches,
Reports to internal and external partners in a timely and appropriate fashion,
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet partners and donors needs and deadlines,
Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external partners,
Responds to partners needs promptly.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education required. University degree will be considered an asset.

Experience:

5 years (with secondary education) or 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant administrative or programme/project experience performing the above-mentioned tasks, is required.
Experience working with women rights issues as well as a good understanding of gender-based violence and feminism will be considered an asset.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, extensive knowledge and experience in usage of web - based management systems. Short listed candidates will be tested in this field.
Previous experience working with UN or other international organizations will be considered an asset.

Language Requirements:

Excellent English and B/S/C language skills, both written and oral and good translation skills. Short listed candidates will be tested in this field.