United Nation Job; Unicef Programme Assistant Job Vacancies

UNICEF was created in December 1946 by the United Nations to provide assistance to European children facing famine and disease after the Second World War. The organisation soon started to expand

its programme to other continents and in 1952, UNICEF Executive Board approved aid for Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time. In 1953, UNICEF’s mandate was extended to become the UN development agency for children. That same year, in October, the first basic agreement was signed to establish UNICEF presence in Nigeria and subsequently an office was opened in Lagos.

Post Title: Programme Assistant, GS 5

Vacancy Number: VN-NGR-07-2011 

Contract Type: Fixed Term 

Duration: Up to 31 December 2012 

Location: Abuja 

UNICEF Nigeria seeks the services of a Programme Assistant who will under the close supervision and technical guidance of the WASH Specialist; carry out support functions pertaining to programme activities of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) section, Abuja.

The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the following duties:

1. Arrange for review, recording and administrative processing of government requests for assistance in ProMs and follow-up of process. Track and ensure timely processing and retirement of Direct Cash Transfers to partners, verify accuracy of computation, authenticity and completeness of documents and that they meet the acceptable accounting standards. Liaise with finance section and counterparts to resolve bottlenecks. Perform ProMs operations such as drafting Cash Requisitions, Payment Requests, Travel Authorisations and Supply Requisitions. 

2. Maintain, log, file and update records in prescribed format for subsequent use. Monitor programme supplies; assist in reviewing a variety of records. Prepare periodic reports required for programme management and monitoring. 

3. Process and examine information and data in accordance with instructions received, making necessary abstracts, computations. 

4. Maintain and keep current registers and control plans on the status of projects at the formulation, implementation and operational stages. Prepare background material, working papers and tables for briefing and review sessions 

5. Collect, register and maintain information on programme activities by reviewing reports & contribute to the preparation of status, progress and other variety of records. 

6. Summarize information reflecting current obligations and future programme and/or budgetary implications. Participate in the preparation/dissemination of Annual Work Plans and office work-plan, quarterly work-plans and achievement report. Draft relevant sections (implementation status) of donor, annual and other reports required in the WASH section. 

7. May be required to carry out specific operational/control tasks for programme/project implementation. 

8. Assist in the preparation of training and workshop materials. Draft allocation and release letters for supply items and participate in monitoring supplies and cash assistance. Perform other duties, as required. Responsible for making logistics and travel arrangements for the section events.

Minimum qualification & competencies:

• Completion of secondary education. 

• Five years of office experience in administrative or accounting or financial duties, of which at least one year is in support of programme activities. 

• Computer literacy with database management skills, and the ability to effectively use standard office software tools and other office technology to produce reports, create documentation, exchange and archive e-mail, and maintain electronic filing systems. 

• Ability to extract and format data, keep records and process information quickly and accurately. 

• Very good knowledge of English. Knowledge of one or other UN working languages, an asset. 

• Good communication skills 

• Excellent time management, planning and organising skills. 

• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with people in an international and multicultural environment is desirable. 

• Strong drive for result. 

• Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.

If you are interested in the position and meet the requirements, please forward your application in a sealed envelope marked ‘confidential’ quoting the vacancy number and addressed to:

The Human Resources Manager, 

UNICEF, UN House, 

Plot 617/618, Central Area District, 

P.M.B 2851, 

Garki Abuja 

by close of business on Thursday, 04 August 2011.

Applications will be considered only if accompanied by a completed UN Personal History Form (which can be downloaded from by clicking here); your curriculum vitae with your current detailed contact information to include a telephone number & email address and a one-page summary statement that describes how your experience and qualification relate to the job description above. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

UNICEF, a smoke-free environment, is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.

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