Programme Associate

Job Description

Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a âleave no one behindâ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Violent conflicts in many countries of the world and particularly in Africa have continued to increase both in complexities and numbers. The violence, which is mostly due to lack of good governance, political wrangling, inequality, citizensâ agitation for quality of life and inability to access essential services of life, has permeated socio-economic, political aspects of the country. It has resulted in political instability, wanton destruction of lives and property, mass displacement of the civil population and destruction of key development infrastructures. Often, citizens ventilate their displeasures through violent extremism, radicalization, and violent mass protests. Lack of good governance and political instability often result in weakened economy with attendant inability of the government to provide basic services and good welfare for the citizens. Low access to education, inadequate basic healthcare services, lack of essential infrastructure critical to the citizensâ well-being and progress, and high unemployment have often pushed many people to engage in criminal acts that exacerbate insecurity both to citizens and the economy. Such illicit acts include kidnappings, cattle rustlings, armed robbery, maritime crimes and piracy especially in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). 

Piracy and maritime crimes in GoG, especially in Nigeria waters, have been remarkable causing damages to government and private investments, as well as, hampering the international trades and businesses. The rate of piracy and criminalities in GoG has been increasing over the years and the worst globally. In 2020, it was reported that 27 of the worldâs 28 recorded kidnapping at sea incidents occurred in GoG. The report indicated that 623 seafarers were exposed to kidnapping in GoG region as compared to 8 seafarers that suffered a similar threat elsewhere within the period. The frequency of the attacks and violence is taking tolls on the operational capacities of the navies and the general economic well-being of the countries, as well as the coastal communities of the region. Piracy in GoG discourages foreign investments, weakens state control of coastal and offshore areas, slows development of blue economy, and emboldens illicit trades and illegal fishing. Piracy equally terrorizes the seafarer communities. The activities of the pirates remain a serious threat to trades and businesses of the coastal communities; retard the economies of the GoG countries particularly Nigeria; and hamper international trades and businesses along the corridor. 

Despite the strengthening of Nigeriaâs military and its persistent impressive performance in international assignments including global peace support missions (PSOs), it has been unable to convert and arrest the growing tendencies of illicit maritime crimes in GoG. Such maritime crimes include piracy, armed robbery, kidnappings and violent attacks on ships and crews. This makes GoG the most dangerous waters for seafarers. The realization of this, especially to international trades and businesses, made the Government of Japan through UNDP Nigeria to support the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) to gain capacity to run counter-piracy courses for relevant stakeholders in GoG countries.The current intervention will help to improve security in the coastal areas of GoG member states; assist MLAILPKC to cascade knowledge and expertise gained under the pilot anti-piracy project through administration of courses and seminars; and provide enabling institutional environment for effective conduct of counter-piracy courses. 

The need to have an efficient and effective administrative assistance to support the implementation of the Enhancing National Capacities for Counter-Violent Extremism, Anti-Piracy and Protection of Civilians Project is dire. The Programme Associate is required to possess the right skills and competences to provide administrative support services to complement UNDPâs capacity for the implementation of the Counter Piracy project in collaboration with the Martin Luther Agwai International and Peacekeeping Centre, Kaduna under the Governance, Peace and Security Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities
 The programme associate will be required to provide administrative support services toward implementation of the Japan funded Peace Support Operations Project. Specifically, the candidate will, among others, be required to perform the following tasks: Provides support tothe management of Japan funded project with support to the other CO programmes/projects focusing on the achievement of the following results: Prepares project annual work plan, draft project report and briefs. Support project budget revisions, determination of unutilized funds and financial closure of a project. Support of financial process of payment to vendors for the projects. Support organization of project trainings and workshops. Support MLAILPKC to prepare its financial documents, such as, ICE, Face Form, Request for Direct Payment and organise project events. Support collation of project documents, reports for NIM audit and supports implementation of audit recommendations.

2. Provides administrative support to the Governance, Peace and Security Unitâs programmes/projectsfocusing on the achievement of the following results:

Preparation of concept notes, Terms of Refence, draft project briefs/reports. Contribution to projectsâ formulation and projectsâ budgets/finance. Provision of support to project implementation, monitoring and reporting.  Revision of NIM/DIM projects Financial Reports; preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects. Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in QUANTUM. Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.  Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects and register of goos receipt in QUANTUM or any ORACLE application.

Reporting:

The programme shall work under the overall and direct supervision of the Team Lead, Governance, Peace 

 and Security Unit. 

Competencies Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies) 

Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management

Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

⢠Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 

⢠Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. 

⢠Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 

⢠Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management

Operations Management

⢠Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization's business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. 

⢠Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms

Business Management

Communication

â¢Â Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

 â¢Â Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management Project Management ⢠Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management UNDP Representation ⢠Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies Business Direction & Strategy

Negotiation and Influence

Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates 'win-win' situations.

Business Development

Integration within the UN

â¢Â Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. Education:

Secondary School Education.

A university degree with 03 years of relevant experience would be considered

Experience & Skills: 6 years of relevant experience or 3 years experience with Bachelorâs degree Project management,  Organizational skills (organization of trainings and workshops) Administrative support  Ability to use MS Word software/package is a must. Similar work experience in international organization or UNDP constitutes an added advantage.  Excellent computer skills, in particular masteryof all applications of the MS Office package. Proficiency in MicrosoftOffice and data analysis software. Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. **FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY Disclaimer Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications. Applicant information about UNDP rosters Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Non-discrimination UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. Scam warning The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.