Programme Assistant

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Description

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This position is located in the Section of the Office for Africa within the Division of Country Programmes. The Office for Africa coordinates ITC’s country relationships and a wide range of technical assistance programmes and projects across Africa. It leads ITC’s strategic planning and programming of technical support and cooperation in the African region.  The Programme Assistant provides programme management and coordination support to facilitate the implementation of several national level projects managed in the Section, including those in South Sudan, Liberia, The Gambia, and reports to the Programme Manager of assigned projects and/or programmes.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work for assigned programme/project initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval.
• Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/project and related topics or issues.
• Reviews project documents, especially cost plans/budgets, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval.
• Reviews budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system. 
• Serves as focal point for administrative coordination of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc.
• Compiles, summarizes and enters data on project delivery; drafts related status reports, identifying shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and brings to the attention of programme management.
• Drafts correspondence on budget-related issues and prepares and updates periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc.
• Provides general office assistance; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; sets up and maintains files/records; organizes meetings, workshops; handles routine administrative tasks, such as maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing, etc.
• Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff. 
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience (reduced to 3 years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher) in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required.    Experience providing programme support to projects located in Africa is desirable.    Experience working in the United Nations system is desirable. 
• Experience using an ERP system, in particular UMOJA, is desirable.

Languages:

For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Source: http://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/258231?language=en

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