Programme Assistant

OVERVIEW
**Parent Sector**: CULTURE
**Duty Station**: NEW DELHI REGIONAL OFFICE
**Job Family**: CULTURE
**Type of contract**: SERVICE CONTRACT
**Level**: SC 6 - LEVEL 2
**Duration of contract**: ONE YEAR INCLUDING THREE MONTHS PROBATION
**Recruitment open to**: LOCAL NATIONAL STAFF
**Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time)**: 21 JULY 2025
**UNESCO Core Values**: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the general authority and direct supervision of the Chief of Culture, New Delhi the incumbent will be responsible for the overall administrative function of the culture sector for the Regular and Extra-Budgetary Programme of UNESCO Office for the South Asian region.
In addition to the regular programme of UNESCO South Asia Regional Office, there are few extra-budgetary projects, which are being implemented across few states in India. He/She will assume, tasks of the progamme assistant and will adhere to the laid down administrative processes for smooth operations of the activities of the Office, within the specified timeline. The incumbent will ensure smooth functioning of the administrative requirements and support the sector in achieving the desirable outcomes of the programmes and projects. Long Description
**Sector Administrative Planning and Reporting**:
Support the Culture Sector in preparing and updating activity plans and trackers.
Facilitate coordination between intra and inter sectoral in day-to-day activities.
Support the CLT sector in maintaining data and information of CLT sector.
Assist the sector in providing records and information for reporting.
Long Description
**Finance and Procurement Accountabilities**:
Assist and inform the supervisor on the financial status using management information systems and reporting.
Verify and process payments of vendors and contractors.
Assist the sector on basic financial procedures, payment requirements, banking and currency provisions.
Keep track of budget levels and alert the supervisor and concerned managers to avoid potential shortfalls in funds (validating information and identifying any errors or irregularities).
Assist in preparing, estimating, and finalizing procurement plans for the sector.
Carry out preliminary analysis of budgets and request budget revisions, if required, cross-check the consistency of budgetary figures.
Identify any other anomalies, alert the supervisor, and undertake transactions/actions to correct errors/omissions.
Ensure adequate reporting of the projects/programmes regularly in line with UNESCO’ s established practices.
Short Description
**Contract Management**:
Support the Culture Sector preparing the Terms of Reference (ToR) for consultants/contactors and follow the UNESCO procedures for final contract approval.
Ensure the process of contract management is followed as per the standard procedures of UNESCO.
Prepare the final contract for the Culture Sector, as per the financial rules and regulations of UNESCO.
**Travel Management**:
Support the Culture Sector in the preparation and updating of travel plans; make travel arrangements; prepare required travel requisitions and monitor the budget; prepare materials for mission travel; arrange hotel accommodations and other related logistics following UNESCO's policies, procedures, and rules.
Support the Culture Sector to coordinate with Administrative Department in finalizing travel request and settle travel claims as per the set process of UNESCO.
Perform any task requested either by the Programme Specialist or Director of the Office.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Academic
A minimum of high school degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in finance, administration, economics, social sciences, culture or related area.
Languages
Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.
Long Description
Skills and Knowledge
Good interpersonal and communication skills; strong service orientation and ability to deal efficiently with partners at different levels.
Ability to analyze, interpret financial data, and monitor budgets.
Good organizational and coordination skills; ability to take initiatives, establish priorities and monitor own work plans.
Ability to manage heavy workloads and meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work.
Ability to work as part of a team, and provide efficient, quality and timely support and capacity to work efficiently with complex and sensitive situations.
Sense of integrity and confidentiality.
**IT Skills**:
Good knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and database packages.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's d