Job Description

The Position:

The Programme Associate position is located in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (EECARO), Istanbul, and has a direct reporting line to the Regional Programme Specialist on Population and Development (CISPop Programme Manager), and a dotted reporting line to the Regional Programme Analyst. The Programme Associate provides support for the successful implementation of the CISPop “Better Data for Better Policies Programme".

The Programme Associate is responsible for effectively delivering programme, administrative, logistical, research, and operational tasks, adhering to UNFPA policies and procedures. S/he also supports coordination with the programme partners, including implementing partners, contributing to the smooth operation of the CISPop Programme.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme Support Team, Communications Specialist, as well as country offices in CIS countries, to ensure effective and efficient programme and operational support of the regional CISPop Programme. The Programme Associate also works in close collaboration with the International Operations Manager (IOM) and their team to ensure timely support on programme and operational matters.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA 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 strategic plan 2026-2029 focuses on accelerating 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.

Job Purpose:

The Programme Associate contributes to the development and implementation of UNFPA’s Regional CISPop by providing programmatic and administrative support. The Programme Associate is instrumental in facilitating programme implementation by using appropriate mechanisms and systems and ensuring compliance with established procedures. As appropriate and under the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Specialist on Population and Development (CISPop Programme Manager), the Programme Associate also contributes to research, financial management, and operational and procedural guidance and support.

You would be responsible for:

• Programme implementation and coordination support:
• Liaise with implementing partners, vendors, and government counterparts to ensure timely submission of deliverables and financial reports.
• Monitor the implementation status of activities, providing timely updates to the DemRes/PD Programme team in EECARO.
• Support the compilation and formatting of reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support periodic programme meetings, year-end review meetings, and Steering Committee meetings, including ensuring proper follow-up on action points as required across the RO team
• Administrative and logistical support:
• Organize and manage travel arrangements, DSA payments, and travel claims for project staff, partners, participants, and consultants.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for meetings, workshops, study tours, and field missions.
• Draft routine correspondence, meeting minutes, and documentation in support of programme activities.
• Support the CISPop Programme Manager in developing ToRs and monitor consultant deliverables and payments
• Prepare and circulate the Chart of Accounts authorization letters for programme-related activities.
• Programme financial and operational support:
• Perform supplier /buyer role or REQ Creator role for assigned programme areas (depending on the team structure and distribution of tasks) in the ERP for projects, register of goods receipt
• Undertake routine procurement activities as assigned by the supervisor(s), ensuring compliance with UNFPA procurement procedures.
• Support internal and external audit processes, spot checks, and micro assessments
• Contribute to HACT assurance activities regarding CISPop implementation
• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of annual and quarterly budgets and expenditure reports.
• Monitor partner financial reporting (FACE forms), ensuring documentation is complete, and expenditures align with approved budgets.
• Generating financial and programmatic reports using the relevant tools for the regional programme as required.
• Acts as a back-up on selected functions for CISPop Programme Manager and other Programme Support team members during their absence.
• Maintain the programme filing, archiving, document organization, and e-archiving systems, as well as uploading to the EECARO microsite and maintaining the relevant sections.
• Carries out any other duties as may be required by the supervisor to ensure the smooth implementation of the CISPop Programme

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Completion of secondary education with additional coursework in public administration, finance or economics. Bachelor's degree is preferable.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Six years of relevant experience in programme planning, monitoring and data management in national and international organizations, in the private or public sector
• Previous experience in the UN is an asset
• Proficiency in current office software applications with good basic knowledge of finances and mastery of a series of financial and spreadsheet software
• Good knowledge of ERP system
• Good writing and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required
• Working knowledge of the Russian language is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

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

Functional Competencies:

• Managing documents, correspondence and reports
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Managing information and workflow
• Planning, organizing and multi-tasking
• Managing financial processes
• Providing procurement services
• Job knowledge / technical expertise
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
• Internal and external communication for resource mobilization

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• <Managerial Requirements>

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.