Programme Assistant (Adolescents and Youth)

Tags: Human Rights Covid Covid-19 language un volunteers
  • Added Date: Thursday, 18 September 2025
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Mission and objectivesUNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA ethics In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. Thus, UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and commit to delivering excellence in programme results. UNFPA strategy in Lao PDR UNFPA is starting its 7th Country Programme in Lao PDR. In response to Lao's socio-economic context and, in line with its strategy on modes of engagement in lower-middle-income countries, UNFPA has prioritised upstream work, with a focus on stronger policy-advocacy and communication and networking to mobilise strategic partnerships. At the same time, innovative pilots and new initiatives are being supported to accelerate delivery on the three transformative results in this decade of action.

ContextUNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices . In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results. The Programme Assistant is part of the Adolescents and Youth team, led by the Programme Specialist, which provides integrated programme and technical support within a systems strengthening approach fundamental to UNFPA's overall strategy . The Programme Assistant also works in close collaboration with the Operations Manager (OM) and his/her team to ensure timely support to the Country Office on operational matters. You will report directly to the Programme Specialist. The Programme Assistant provides programme, administrative and financial support to the programme and technical team, especially to advice and support to COs in the region, and to support the management of the regional programme. The Programme Assistant also provides some data and research assistance.

Task Description1. Providing support and advice to the COs on operational and programme matters by applying UNFPA rules, regulations and procedures; • Assist the technical and programme team, in collaboration with the OM office for smooth running of programme and operational activities . • Undertake all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements required for the organization of technical workshops, inter-agency meetings, panel discussions, roundtables, missions, and other events organized by the programme and technical team; Assist the CO in coordinating the UNFPA technical network in the substantive area; Assist in the preparation and monitoring process of the Office Management Plan ; Assist in the preparation, implementation and monitoring process of the Country Office/Unit programme and budget; • Review incoming correspondence, collect and prepare necessary information for reply/action, and draft and finalize response; • Prepare first drafts of responses to inquiries received by the programme and technical team for action by supervising officers; • Support Travel in line with UNFPA policy and in collaboration with Travel Unit Prepare travel authorizations and make travel arrangements; 2 . Maintain effective work and information flow , document handling, preparation and processing in line with UNFPA policy and systems . • Contribute to maintaining the office filing system and assist in archiving; Maintain and update country, partners and project files, including project progress reports, work plans and budgets in compliance with guidelines for the country programme; • Prepare requisition request in ATLAS with input from the programme and technical team members ; utilize Atlas to produce monthly reports on the financial status of programmes or projects ; create vouchers and payments in Atlas, as needed; • Follow up on the submission of financial reports by Country Office and partners; Perform research including bibliographic and database searches; summarize information and draft contributions to Country Office reports, papers, technical notes, and publications; • Identify sources, and gather and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines , speeches and position papers ; • Assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations for the technical and programme team members; • Organize, compile and process information from donors, Regional Offices, programme countries, and country offices, as inputs to various databases and documents; and • Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Competencies and valuesValues: • Exemplifying integrity • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system • Embracing cultural diversity • Embracing change Functional Competencies: • Logistical support • Managing data • Managing documents, correspondence and reports • Managing information and workflow • Planning , organizing and multi-tasking • Managing financial processes • Job knowledge/technical expertise Core Competencies: • Achieving results • Being accountable • Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen • Thinking analytically and strategically • Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships • Communicating for impact

Living conditions and remarksAs this is a national UN Volunteer assignment , the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials . Other information lnclusivity statement United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person's race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, orother status. Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid - 19) in line with the applicable host entity's policy

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