UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill 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, a chance.
In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/
Click here to experience our country through the perspective of our colleagues by clicking on this Link
Background:
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy,emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity —not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as
outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
How can you make a difference?
Purpose for the job:
Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Programme Associate provides specialized programme and administrative support to facilitate the development, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF's programmes. The role involves substantial engagement in data analysis, budget tracking, reporting, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery and compliance with organizational rules. Incumbent exercises judgment, anticipates needs, and recommends actions that contribute to programme planning, implementation and reporting results.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
1.Project Management and Implementing Partnership Coordination
- Support overall project planning, execution, and monitoring for assigned initiatives
- Assist in establishment and operationalizing implementing partnership management functions by coordinating the processes required for risk assessments (Due Diligence, PSEA and Micro-Assessment, Spot checks)
- Work with Programme Managers, Partners and relevant stakeholders in ensuring Funding
- Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures (FACE) requests submitted are aligned with the project workplan and processed timely.
- Monitors prompt liquidation of Direct Cash Transfer (DCTs)
2. Data Management, Analysis & Reporting
- Contribute to collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative programme data to support evidence-based decision-making.
- Generate regular reports, dashboards and presentations on key performance indicators and donor reporting.
- Support the application of digital and AI tools for synthesizing complex data and creating actionable insights for statutory reports, dashboards and presentations on key performance indicators.
3. Grant Management, Budget Monitoring and Reporting
- Regularly track budget allocations, expenditures and monitor grant utilization for the section and individual grants using relevant systems (e.g., SAP).
- Contribute to grants management, monitor their expiry, and support reprogramming or extension processes.
- Prepare periodic and ad-hoc grant management reports for supervisors, programme leads and for donor reporting.
- Facilitate generating funds utilization report to track expenditures and commitments.
- Contribute to the development of funding proposals and the preparation of statutory reports, ensuring timely submissions.
4. Digital Innovation & Operational Efficiency
- Use AI, automation tools and digital platforms to streamline repetitive tasks, such as data analysis and report generation.
- Serve as a resource for digital platforms (e.g., SAP, Service Gateway, Power BI, Sharepoint) within the section.
- Safeguard sensitive data and ensure adherence to UNICEF’s data privacy and digital workforce guideline.
Capabilities Required
1. Project Management
- Create project plans, objectives and deliverables.
- Track and organize resources like time, budget, and team efforts.
- Identify and report potential risks for further guidance.
2. Collaboration
- Navigate organizational dynamics and adapt behavior to respond to different situations.
- Choose appropriate words, tone and tailors' messages respectfully and persuasively to suit different audiences.
- Write clear, concise and well-structured reports and documents using appropriate language.
- Pay close attention to what others are saying, asking questions for clarification.
- Present ideas and information clearly in front of groups.
3. Problem Solving
- Analyze data, identify trends, patterns and anomalies.
- Evaluate information, analyze problems, identify underlying causes and risks.
- Summarize and communicate findings, focusing on actionable insights to support decision-making.
- Make decisions in time-sensitive situations, even with incomplete information.
- Assess the potential impact of solutions (costs, benefits and risks).
4. Digital Dexterity ·
- Utilize AI-powered tools and platforms to automate data analysis.
- Apply prompts to improve the quality of reports and data, ensuring alignment with internal regulations and policies.
- Use specialist technology business systems and software.
- Analyze and summarize data from various business systems to generate reports and insight
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR here]
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Completion of secondary education is required. Professional and/or university courses related to the field of work are highly desirable
- Work Experience: Minimum six years of administrative or clerical work experience is required.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chines, French, Russian or Spanish) or local language of the duty station is considered an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)
(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
