UN Women: Programme Assistant, NPSA5, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

In Uzbekistan, in line with its global Strategic Plan 2026-2029, UN Women works towards the overarching goal that “women and girls, including those at greatest risk of being left behind, fully exercise their human rights, enjoy a life free from violence and discrimination, and lead, influence, and benefit from sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development towards the advancement of gender equality in Uzbekistan.” UN Women operates in four thematic areas: (i) governance and participation in public life; (ii) women’s economic empowerment; (iii) ending violence against women and girls; and (iv) women, peace and security, humanitarian action, and disaster risk reduction. In line with its coordination mandate, UN Women promotes coherence and coordination across the UN system to enhance accountability and results for gender equality and women’s empowerment, including through joint programming and advocacy, as well as standardized tools, guidance, and services to strengthen the capacities of the UN system.

Within the framework of the “Women’s Economic Empowerment in Uzbekistan” (WEE) project, the intervention will contribute to the achievement of the goals set out in the New Uzbekistan Development Strategy 2022–2026, the “Uzbekistan–2030” Strategy, and the Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality in Uzbekistan 2020–2030, developed in alignment with the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men” (LRU No. 562). The proposed Action contributes to several strategic objectives, including: (i) ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men in employment, the creation of decent jobs, the development of women’s entrepreneurship, and expanded access of women to credit from commercial banks; (ii) promoting improved health literacy in family planning and strengthened reproductive health, as well as healthy lifestyles; and (iii) strengthening families and shared responsibility among family members.

The overall objective (impact) of the Project is to create an inclusive economic environment in which women can participate equally in the economy and labour force of Uzbekistan, free from the constraints of gender stereotypes and harmful social norms. This entails addressing deep-rooted gender biases that limit women’s opportunities and potential. By promoting gender equality in the workplace, enhancing access to education and vocational training, supporting women’s entrepreneurship, and strengthening family planning and care-related services, the Project aims to enable women to secure decent work and grow their businesses, thereby increasing their economic independence and contributing to the country’s economic growth and social development.

The Programme Assistant will work under direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, Women’s Economic Empowerment in Uzbekistan (WEE) and provide support to the members of the Programme Team in the development and implementation of effective programmes consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Programme Assistant provides programme, financial, administrative and logistical assistance to the team for the smooth programme implementation.

Scope of Work:

1. Provide administrative and logistical support to the formulation and management of programmes

• Assist the Programme Analyst in day-to-day support of planning, monitoring and implementation of the project on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Uzbekistan;
• Provide administrative support in the preparation of programme/project work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements, including tracking the delivery of funds;
• Provide administrative support to the team on routine delivery and reporting of programme/project supported activities and finances;
• Provide administrative support for the audit of programmes/projects and support implementation of audit recommendations;
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including reports, proposals, presentations and progress updates.
• Provide administrative support to conferences, trainings, workshops, retreats; procurement of equipment and services, and support follow-up actions to close the events’ commitments administratively and financially; etc.
• Provide administrative support to maintenance of premises and common services, as needed;
• Maintain filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials, as necessary.

2. Provide administrative support to the financial management of the Programme Unit

• Create projects in Quantum system, prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of a project;
• Provide administrative support in monitoring and preparation of budget and the finances of programmes/projects, and in the preparation of FACE forms;
• Prepare non-PO vouchers for development projects;
• Process payment for consultants, as delegated;
• Create requisitions in Quantum system for development projects; register good receipts in Quantum system.

3. Provide administrative support to the Programme Unit

• Undertake all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements for the organization of meetings, workshops, events, and missions;
• Arrange travel and hotel reservations, prepare travel authorizations, process requests for visas and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), identity cards and other documents;
• Draft minutes in meetings, as delegated;
• Assemble briefing materials and prepare powerpoint and other presentations, in collaboration with the Programme team; and
• Organize and coordinate filing of documents; maintain mailing lists.
• Perform other related duties, as required;
• Perform other tasks and assignments as necessary.

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Act as a liaison between the project team, and stakeholders to facilitate seamless communication and alignment.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure project activities align with organizational goals.
• Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and summaries to communicate project progress and achievements.
• Document meeting outcomes, decisions, and action items for effective follow-up and alignment with project goals.

5. Research and Analysis

• Supports research to inform activities of the team.
• Analyze trends and provide insights to optimize strategies and implementation techniques.

6. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Provide administrative support to the organization of training for the office staff and partners on programme and operations related issues.

7. Provide administrative support to resource mobilization:

1. Organize, compile, and process documentation and information from donors, and programme team as inputs to various databases and documents.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

1. Knowledge of programme management;
2. Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats;
3. Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence and reports information and workflow;
4. Good financial and budgeting skills;
5. Good IT skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Completion of secondary education is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration is desirable.

Experience:

• At least 5 years with secondary education or 2 years with Bachelors degree of progressively responsible experience in administrative or programme management/support is required.

• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages is required.

• Experience in the use of ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

• Experience in civil society organizations and understanding of civil society landscape is an asset.

• Proved knowledge of gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable development is an asset.

• Previous experience in the United Nations is an asset.

• Experience in supporting teams in complex environments is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.

• Fluency in Uzbek is required.

• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.