Programme Assistant (SHS) (Brasilia, Brazil) contract Full Time

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Brasilia

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff  (Service Contract)

Level :  SC-6

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 18-DEZ-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Only candidates who are entitled to work in Brazil may apply to this position

Under the authority of the Director and Representative of UNESCO in Brazil, the overall supervision of the Social and Human Sciences (SHS) Programme Coordinator, the technical guidance of the SHS Programme Officer and Criança Esperança Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Programme Officers, the incumbent will provide mainly technical, operational, financial and administrative support in the execution and implementation of project activities under SHS sector. To this end, the incumbent shall:

• Support all phases of project implementation: identification of needs, proposing actions, technical and financial monitoring;
• Support the identification, evaluation, systematization and dissemination of experiences, initiatives and best practices in the field of SHS;
• Participate and prepare documents for meetings involving discussions on the project development; participate and prepare documents for use in discussions, meetings, workshops, seminars, briefing sessions, missions and other events related to the projects;
• Provide support to the management of projects’ activities and expenses; ensure the accuracy of administrative data related to the projects;
• Assist the projects on budget control and administration; propose and adopt budgetary and financial indicators to provide inputs for the management of the programmatic activities; elaborate financial and budgetary reports, graphs, charts and tables;

• Analyze the rendering of accounts of the Implementation Partnership Agreements from the projects supported by the Programme; Review and verify documentation related to the rendering of accounts for various projects;
• Assist in the logistics of events regarding financial resources and administrative procedures (price quotations, suppliers, etc.) for seminars, meetings, workshops, etc.;
• Follow up all administrative and financial issues linked with the implementation of the projects; summarize information reflecting current and future obligations;
• Assist in the preparation of terms of reference and follow-up the implementation of contracts or sub-contracts related to the projects;
• Act as a liaison among UNESCO and its contractors and donors;
• Prepare reports, correspondence and documents as requested;
• Arrange travel, meetings and take notes as directed;
• Maintain and keep current registers, control plans and files updated;
• Follow-up and contribute to the proper execution of projects in the educational area as well as in the other areas of the UNESCO mandate, as necessary;
• Perform other duties as required by the supervisors.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Communication, International Relations, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five to Six years of previous experience in managing technical cooperation projects’ activities and expenditures.
• Experience in supporting technical or managerial professionals at the national or international level is also required.

SKILLS / COMPETENCIES

• Strong sense of ethics, initiative, accountability, discretion and maturity of judgement;
• Pro-activeness and ability to work under pressure; accuracy and sense of confidentiality; ability and flexibility to manage workload;
• Team and service-oriented, autonomy, emphasis on quality, efficiency and results;
• Good IT skills (Microsoft package), including experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.). Experience in handling of web-based management systems;
• Ability to maintain accurate files and records; good organization skills;
• Good interpersonal skills with ability to maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment: with people of different national and cultural background. Gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Excellent capacity to collect, synthesize and analyze information from various sources, to prepare draft reports and to write documents in a clear and concise manner;
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background. Gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

LANGUAGES

• The position requires proficiency in Portuguese and English.

EDUCATION

• Specialized training or courses in the fields related to this position.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in financial reporting and account analysis is desirable.
• Experience with technical cooperation project, particularly within UN agencies or similar international settings is desirable.
• Experience in international organizations as well as knowledge of UNESCO or other UN agencies will be an asset.

SKILLS / COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of UN rules and practices, procedures, protocols;
• Knowledge of SAP or similar ERP system.

LANGUAGES

• Working knowledge of Spanish or French will be an asset.

This assignment is of full-time nature (Monday to Thursday: 8h30 to 12h30 / 14h to 18h; Friday: 8h30 to 14h). 

For this position, the monthly remuneration, which will be paid in local currency, will be BRL 10.554,60.

The initial contract is intended until the end of 2025 and shall be linked to a project-funding source, which is expected to be renewed. Any contract renewal shall be dependent upon budgetary availability and satisfactory services. Further information regarding contractual modality as well as the applicable benefits package will be provided for short-listed candidates only.