Programme Management Assistant

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, setting the agenda and advocating for the global environment. Its Ecosystems Division provides technical assistance and advisory services to partners, strengthening environmental management capacity in developing countries. This Programme Management Assistant role is located in the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit, Biodiversity and Land Branch, within the Ecosystems Division in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, reporting to the Task Manager, West Africa region.

Job Purpose

The Programme Management Assistant supports the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes and projects within UNEP's Ecosystems Division, specifically the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit. This role is crucial for ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of environmental policy and capacity-building initiatives. The incumbent researches, compiles, analyzes, and presents programme data, assists with budget proposals, and meticulously tracks expenditures and obligations. A key contribution involves coordinating programme/project planning and preparation, ensuring adherence to guidelines, and facilitating necessary approvals. The position serves as a focal point for implementation activities, requiring extensive liaison with diverse organizational units to resolve issues and expedite processes. By maintaining comprehensive records, drafting reports, and providing administrative support, the Assistant directly contributes to robust programme administration, informed decision-making, and the overall success of UNEP's efforts to strengthen environmental management and promote sustainable development globally.

Responsibilities

The Programme Management Assistant provides comprehensive support for programme and project administration. This includes assisting with planning and implementation activities, researching, compiling, analyzing, and presenting programme-related data. The role involves coordinating project planning and preparation, and supporting the development and analysis of budget proposals, ensuring adherence to guidelines and financial authorizations. The incumbent monitors and evaluates programmes, categorizing, tracking, and analyzing data on accounting records, outputs, and resource utilization. This involves conducting periodic status reviews, identifying issues, initiating follow-up actions, preparing revised budget estimates, and reporting on expenditures. Furthermore, the Assistant collaborates with programme managers on performance reporting, ensuring data completeness and accuracy, and drafts programme summaries. The role serves as a focal point for coordinating and expediting implementation activities, liaising with various units to prepare terms of reference, obtain clearances, and resolve issues. Administrative duties include maintaining electronic and paper files, updating databases, generating reports, drafting correspondence, and providing general team support. The Assistant also aids in data collection, analysis, and preparation of presentations for knowledge management and decision-making, and assists with visualizations and updating information materials.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in programmatic, administrative, or technical support is required. This requirement is reduced to five years for candidates with a first-level university degree. Essential experience includes programme/project monitoring and evaluation. Desirable experience includes using an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, working with an international organization, and one or more years in data analytics.

Skills

Professionalism: Knowledge of programme/project administration, implementation, evaluation, technical cooperation, programming, and budgeting. Ability to analyze data, resolve issues, and apply good judgment. Planning & Organizing: Goal setting, prioritizing, resource allocation, risk foresight, and efficient time management. Client Orientation: Understanding client needs, building partnerships, and ensuring timely service delivery.

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