Programme Assistant (G-5), Fixed Term - Cotonou

About the role

UNICEF is recruiting a Programme Assistant (G-5) on a fixed-term appointment in Cotonou, Benin, to support the administration of a country programme. Working under the close supervision of the supervisor, the post holder carries out procedural, administrative and operational tasks that help develop, implement and monitor the country programme in line with UNICEF rules and regulations.

Key responsibilities

• Process contracts for consultants, vendors and external partners: prepare and file documents, complete forms, upload TORs in VISION and arrange logistics
• Keep vendor lists, partner and consultant rosters up to date
• Collect and file invoices, then process them in VISION and Mycase
• Maintain records, documents and control plans for monitoring project implementation and financial expenditures
• Manage administrative supplies and office equipment, maintain the office calendar, take minutes and organize correspondence
• Provide travel assistance to staff and liaise with travel focal points on behalf of the organization
• Maintain a system tracking staff absences and keep records on programme planning and development
• Carry out transactions in VISION so that results, activities and coding match annual work plans, and amend them when section revisions occur
• Support capacity-building activities, meetings and conferences by arranging logistics with facilitators, caterers and hosts, coordinating costs with budget focal points and preparing background materials

Required profile

• Secondary education completed, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses; a Bachelor's degree may replace 3 years of related work experience, and a Master's degree may replace an additional 2 years
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible administrative or clerical work experience
• Fluency in French is required
• Desirable: knowledge of another UN official language or a local language, thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative policies, and relevant country-level experience in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts

Required skills

• MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint
• Strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills, confidentiality and office management skills
• Ability to work with people of different national and cultural backgrounds