Programme Associate, Vientiane Capital

The Position:

The Programme Associate supports an assigned team of Programme Coordinator, Analysts and/or associated project teams (where applicable). The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with his/her programme team to ensure effective and efficient programme and operational support to the Country Office’s implementing partners who provide substantive support to the Country Office and implement the country programme. The Programme Associate also provides direct support to senior programme staff on substantive matters such as research, programme/project implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The Programme Associate also works in close collaboration with the Country Office Operations team to ensure timely support to the CO on programme and operational matters.

You will report directly to the SRH Head of the unit.

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 new strategic plan focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has an estimated population of 7.2 million and comprises approximately 50 ethnic groups Despite being sparsely populated and mostly rural it is experiencing one of the fastest urbanization rates in South East Asia Although it had one of the fastest growing economies in SE Asia in the last decade, the Covid pandemic has threatened development gains and the country is now showing rising poverty and inequality levels. In terms of the 2022 to 2025 UNFPA Strategic Plan, Lao PDR is a Tier 1 Country meaning that it is prioritized for funding within UNFPA.

The 7th country programme seeks to accelerate progress towards the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. This will be done through supporting adolescent girls and boys to delay pregnancy and marriage until adulthood (through comprehensive sexuality education among others), ensuring every pregnancy is by choice and that no woman dies while giving life, and that women and girls can live lives free from abuse and violence. Through this, UNFPA will contribute to the country’s realisation of a demographic dividend within the reality of rapid urbanisation and increased migration within and across borders. The programme will balance upstream policy support with catalytic interventions at the subnational level in selected geographical areas. Subnational interventions will build on previous efforts and be incorporated into provincial work plans through the ‘Noi framework’ integration.

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, and exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Programme Associate supports the preparation, implementation and oversight of UNFPA’s CO programme by providing and managing data inputs, monitoring project implementation and following up on audit and evaluation recommendations. The Programme Associate applies established systems and procedures and assists in the creation of substantive knowledge by compiling, synthesising and analysing information, relevant to reproductive health issues. S/He is instrumental in facilitating programme/project implementation using and developing appropriate mechanisms and systems and ensuring compliance with established procedures.

You would be responsible for:

A. Contributing to the preparation and implementation of the MNCH aspect of the Country Programme

Provide programmatic support to national efforts on implementation of the Sector Strategic plan of the Ministry of Health, with a focus on the MNCH Package implementation for Maternal New-born and Child Mortality reduction in Laos.
Support the programme team in the Country Programme development process, including liaising with consultants and stakeholders to deliver results as planned.
Establish programme planning information and schedules on CO organised events, review and reporting.
Participate in the identification and formulation of the country programme and component projects, with a focus on MNCH, by compiling and analysing information in the subject areas of UNFPA assistance to the Government, drafting project documents and work plans and preparing tables and statistical data.
Promote the integration of population, reproductive health, gender and human rights in national policies and programmes.
Assist in the coordination/submission of substantive reporting.

B. Contributing to the oversight functions of the CO

Provide regular updates in terms of Country Programme development including programme outputs and performance against indicators.
Carry out field monitoring visits (spot checks) as part of assurance activities.
Provide and present monitoring reports to the programme team on specific areas as required.
Maintain monitoring reports and records in a user-friendly access system.
Maintain schedules of programme audits and follow up of related audit and evaluation recommendations.
Contribute to ensuring compliance of programmes/projects with organisational guidelines, as well as with audits and evaluation findings, by benchmarking programme and project performance and transmitting this information to the output managers for corrective action.
Contribute to the evaluation of project and programme activities, establishing and implementing mechanisms to systematically assess the achievement of results, conducting field visits, participating in review meetings and evaluation missions and preparing regular inputs to status and progress reports.

C. Providing research and knowledge management support

Support increased availability of gender-sensitive data for planning, monitoring and evaluation of population-related programmes.
Provide support to the programme team on documentation, publishing and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned.
Liaise with resource mobilisation and/or communication units to make sure that knowledge products are well used to serve communication and resource mobilisation efforts.
Design and manage specialised data banks on programme/project profiles for development, implementation and evaluation purposes as well as best practices in programme design/implementation for knowledge sharing.
Share and encourage the use of evidence-based information and data with other colleagues in UNFPA and external partners.
Support capacity building in data collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination; and enhance the knowledge base for integration of population variables and contemporary issues taking into account the formulation, implementation and evaluation of development policies, plans and programmes in relevant sectors and in programme districts.

D. Programme financial and operational support

Assist in reviewing and analysing country programme substantive achievements including performance trends and providing feedback to the Country Office and Regional Office (when necessary).
Facilitate the monitoring of the overall expenditure targets for the country programme in accordance with UNFPA’s global resource allocation system, annual guidelines and AWPs.
Review and analyse past and current expenditures including trends in pattern of resource allocation in order to prepare recommendations and proposals for distribution of income and utilisation of resources in the Country Office.
Assist the programme team with budget revisions.
Manage the consultants’ vetting process and maintain a consultant roster for the country.

E. Advocacy and resource mobilisation strategy support

Compile and synthesise relevant background material for use in discussions and public events.
Establish and maintain a network of donor and public information contacts and providing assistance in organising and conducting donor meetings and public information events.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

High school certificate
A bachelor's degree is preferred in public administration, finance, economics or relevant social science

Knowledge and Experience:

Seven years of relevant experience in programme planning, monitoring and data support systems and in financial management in national and international organisations, in the private or public sector.
Proficiency in current office software applications and a good basic knowledge of finances and mastery of a series of financial and spreadsheet software.
Previous experience in the UN is an asset;
Good knowledge of Quantum or other ERP systems;
Good writing and communication skills.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Lao (written and oral).

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:

Ability to use analytical tools and logic to gather, and define information, situations, problems, and draw logical conclusions to the data;
Delivering results-oriented programmes
Make timely and appropriate decisions, taking into consideration, various and complex issues.
Managing and analysing documents, correspondence and reports.
Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making
Managing and analysing information and workflow.
Planning, organising and multitasking.
Managing and analysing financial processes.
Job knowledge / technical expertise.
Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
Delivering results-oriented programmes

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.