The Position:
Under the supervision of the Head of Office, and guidance of the Population Dynamics (PD) Programme Analyst, the Programme Assistant provides programme support in the implementation of programme activities. This includes supporting the planning, management and monitoring of programme activities, facilitating regular field missions, and managing relevant contractual matters.
The Programme Assistant supports the planning and implementation of UNFPA-supported activities by providing and managing data inputs, providing logistical and administrative support, monitoring project implementation and following up on recommendations.
S/he is responsible for establishing and maintaining good working relationships with related government officials, civil society representatives, and all other related partners. The main areas of responsibility of the Programme Assistant will be programme support, administrative, financial and logistical work within the UNFPA Office in Serbia.
Job Purpose:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the United Nations' sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA expands the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives, aiming to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA provides data for evidence-based policy-making, as well as addresses challenges related to demographic changes, supports youth-oriented policies and programs, and supports programs promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Guided by the 1994 Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), UNFPA partners with governments, civil society and other agencies to advance its mission.
UNFPA is actively working, as a member of the UN Country Team in Serbia, towards advancing the country’s development priorities with a specific focus on the 2030 Agenda and the country's EU accession reform processes, through the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
In 2021, UNFPA initiated the implementation of the new Country Programme Document for Serbia 2021-2025. Within its unique mandate, UNFPA continues activities for addressing the sexual and reproductive health of the population, especially those related to achieving three UNFPA transformative results. UNFPA also intensifies activities and advocacy efforts related to the needs and capacities of youth and vulnerable populations, particularly related to evidence-based policymaking that takes into account population trends at all levels.
The programme is focused on youth, poor women from urban and rural areas, women with disabilities, Roma, and older people (over 65 years old). It is implemented at the national and local levels in order to achieve the greater impact and improve health, well-being, social equity and the human potential of the people. Planned activities require introducing and managing new partnerships and expanding the existing ones.
The UNFPA Country Programme Document (CPD) 2021-2025 in Serbia requests strengthening the current office structure to achieve staff skill sets necessary for its effective implementation, especially in the new areas related to youth and population dynamics. The operations and programme activities related to the population dynamics portfolio at the UNFPA CO Serbia have grown extensively during the last two years. The workload will continue to grow during 2023 mostly due to the implementation of the PRO-Local Governance for People and Nature (PRO LGPN) project and other activities within the PD portfolio, such as: i/validation of the existing data from 2019 on international migration estimation and population estimates production based on the 2022 Census data; ii/development of analyses, policy papers, and strategic documents, such as ex-post and ex-ante analyses for three strategies: Strategy on Ageing, Birth Promotion Strategy and Strategy for preserving reproductive health in Serbia; iii/domestication of the Demographic Resilience Programme in Serbia; and iv/ promotion of active and healthy ageing, and intergenerational exchange.
PRO-Local Governance for People and Nature (PRO LGPN) project is designed to contribute to the improvement of the well-being and quality of life of citizens through improved local governance, social inclusion and environmental protection in 99 cities and municipalities in two regions: Sumadija and Western Serbia and Southern and Eastern Serbia. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will implement the project, in partnership with UN agencies (UNICEF, UNFPA, UNEP), over the period of three years (1st January 2023 - 31st December 2026). UNFPA’s component within the PRO LGPN project is focused on building capacities of local governments and other relevant local public entities for implementing social policies and services, addressing the rights and needs of left behind groups, enhancing family-centred public service delivery and improving the quality of life of older persons and youth in Serbia.
In order to successfully implement all the above-mentioned activities, UNFPA is engaging a Programme Assistant on Service Contract to support the Country Office in its everyday work and in implementing the PRO LGPN project.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Professional level with a minimum of one year of experience in project assistance, preferably in international development organisations;
- Professional experience in working with issues pertaining to youth engagement and social protection;
- Work experience within the UN system is an asset;
- Experience in partnering with government institutions, international organisations, and CSOs;
- Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages.
Education:
- Completed Secondary Level Education required. First level university degree is desirable.
- Fluency in English and the local language is required.
Apply via the following link.