UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a childwood

The Programme Assistant position is situated within the Programme Unit and plays a key supporting role in facilitating the smooth and efficient execution of programme activities, providing essential administrative, logistical, and operational assistance to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the UNICEF Chile country programme. The incumbent reports directly to the Programme Associate (G6).

The Programme Assistant provides support to the Programme Section by performing a variety of procedural, administrative, and operational tasks. These activities are essential to the effective planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of the country programme, ensuring compliance with UNICEF’s established rules, regulations, and standards.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Contract processing support

• Collects and organizes basic documentation required for contracts with consultants, vendors, and external partners, according to established checklists and procedures.
• Completes standard forms based on defined guidelines, verifying the accuracy of the information provided.
• Uploads basic contract-related documents and terms of reference (TORs) into VISION, adhering to predefined instructions.
• Regularly updates vendor, consultant, and partner rosters using standardized formats and databases.

2. Invoice reception and initial processing

• Receives and reviews invoices from consultants, vendors, and partners, verifying basic required documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Prepares documentation and submits invoices to the supervisor for approval, subsequently processing them in administrative systems following set procedures.

3. Maintenance of basic administrative records

• Maintains organized physical and/or electronic filing systems related to project/programme implementation and financial expenditures.
• Periodically updates tracking documents, ensuring accuracy of basic data including dates, amounts, and activity details.

4. Support in the administration of supplies and office equipment

• Assists in tracking office supply inventories, reporting stock levels and replenishment needs according to established procedures.
• Regularly checks the basic functionality of office equipment and reports any issues promptly to the supervisor or designated focal point.

5. Team calendar and meeting organization

• Regularly updates the team’s calendar, scheduling appointments and meetings upon request.
• Assists in the logistical coordination of meetings, booking rooms according to instructions, and ensuring basic room setup and equipment preparation.
• Takes simple meeting notes as requested and shares draft minutes with supervisor for review, maintaining organized records of correspondence and documentation.

6. Travel arrangement assistance

• Supports staff by collecting and organizing basic information needed for travel arrangements.

7. Record keeping for programme planning

• Supports the compilation and organization of basic data related to programme planning and monitoring, using established templates and tools.
• Regularly updates planning documents and records following specific instructions provided by the supervisor.

8. Data entry in administrative systems

• Performs basic routine transactions in VISION, accurately entering programme-related data, activities, and budget codes as defined in the Annual Work Plans.

9. Logistical support for capacity development activities

• Assists in basic logistical arrangements for meetings, training sessions, and conferences, confirming availability of rooms, equipment, and catering through previously identified vendors.
• Contact participants using predefined communications to confirm attendance and schedules.
• Prepares basic supporting materials for participants, such as printed agendas, attendance lists, and predefined reference documents.

Impact of Results

The incumbent’s accurate and timely execution of routine administrative and logistical tasks, following established standard procedures, contributes directly to the smooth and effective functioning of the unit. By reliably verifying and maintaining basic data, records, and documentation, the Programme Assistant ensures that colleagues can effectively focus on the implementation and delivery of programme activities. The quality and consistency of this administrative support positively impact the overall efficiency of programme operations and facilitate the achievement of planned results.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

  Completion of secondary education is required.

  Additional technical training or university-level courses in administration, management, social sciences, or related fields relevant to UNICEF’s programme areas is an asset.

• Work Experience:

  A minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative, clerical, or programme support roles is required.

  Demonstrated experience in organizing meetings, workshops, managing correspondence, and maintaining records is essential.

  Experience in financial tracking and using administrative systems, ideally within an international or UN context, is considered a strong asset.

  Proven proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with knowledge of SharePoint or similar platforms.

  Familiarity with UNICEF systems (VISION, etc) or other UN agency administrative systems is advantageous.

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may be considered to compensate for three (3) years of experience in case the candidate lacks the required experience.
  
  
• A master’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may be considered to compensate for an additional two (2) years (in addition to the three years from above, totaling 5 years).
  
  
• Skills: 
  • Thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative policies and procedures.
  • Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
  • Sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
  • Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
  • Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint
  • Office management skills.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish is required. Knowledge of English is highly desirable and considered an asset.

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

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:

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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. 

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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.