Culture Programme Assistant (SB‐2 SC5 Min)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : [[Culture Sector]]

Duty Station: [[Almaty]]

Job Family: [[Culture]]

Type of contract : [[Non Staff]]

Level : [[Level 2]]

Duration of contract : [[1 year]] with the 3 months’ probation period and the possibility of extension

Recruitment open to : [[Internal and external candidates]]

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : [[27-SEP-2024]]

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

(Only candidates who are entitled to work in Kazakhstan may apply to this position)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall supervision and functional authority of the Director of UNESCO Almaty Office and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer for Culture, the incumbent shall act as a Culture Programme Assistant, in particular contributing to the implementation of Regular Programmes activities, Participation Programme activities, Government Contribution activities in Kazakhstan and the activities to implement regional activities in Central Asia.

The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the Programme Specialists, in particular, the incumbent shall perform the following key functions and responsibilities:

Long Description

1. Contribute to the coordination of activities through:

• Supporting and assisting to strengthening national capacities and regional networking to implement programmes on culture in cluster countries;
• Supporting the attainment of quality programme outputs in line with UNESCO Culture Expected Results and administrative rules;
• Contributing to drafting   work plans, concept notes, assuring regular monitoring of the implementation;
• Daily liaising with national partners and other stakeholders;
• Assisting in identifying project implementation partners and service providers;
• Drafting terms of reference for the local contracts, assuring that UNESCO rules of procurement are respected;
• Following up on the implementation of the contracts, assessing the quality of services provided, undertaking corrective actions when necessary and requesting disbursement of funds.

Long Description

2. Contribute toensuring the administration, monitoring and evaluation of activities implementation by:

• Participating in daily monitoring and regular evaluation of the programme activities, reporting on the progress achieved and making updates as requested;
• Organizing and contributing to regularly conducting meetings, preparing minutes of meetings and action plans with clear responsibilities and timeframe;
• Drafting reports on activities for UNESCO and the donor as required;
• Assisting in preparing all administrative and financial information pertaining to the culture activities and programmes;
• Prepare a variety of administrative documentation; initiate administrative procedures and ensure follow-up; monitor requests for payments against contractual obligations, and provide information on payment status and remaining obligations to supervisor;
• Assisting in fostering exchanges of information and lessons learned, actions to improve delivery of services and to achieve the programmatic objectives.

Long Description

3. Support in representation and coordination with partners by:

• Contributing to ensuring project alignment with countries’ sectoral priorities;
• Assisting in identifying relevant institutions and ensuring their engagement in activities;
• Maintaining regular relations with the national counterparts and the key stakeholders (Ministries, regional and local authorities, etc.).

4. Contribute to ensuring communication and visibility by:

• Raising awareness about culture programmes and activities in countries;
• Drafting and preparing technical briefs/status updates on the activities for wider dissemination (UNESCO and partners websites);
• Support in organizing programmes related events (seminars, trainings and workshops) and liaising with local and international partners and media, as needed;
• Drafting necessary press release and outreach materials, ensuring that the major events have necessary press coverage;
• Assisting in providing inputs for publications, presentations, briefings, speeches and missions, including outreach materials, as needed;
• Providing web content on major project’s achievements and milestones in project implementation for UNESCO's public information services.
• Undertake other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor for the successful programmes implementation. The contract holder undertakes to carry out the tasks with care and diligence and due attention to detail.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

•    Completed higher education degree preferably in culture, education, social sciences.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum 3 years of relevant professional work experience in the field of projects, programme support, coordination and management at the national, preferably in UN System.

•    Experience in working with Government partners, NGOs, youth organisations.

•    Experience in handling web-based management and monitoring systems.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

•   Ability to handle the administrative procedures of large Organizations, preferably UN/UNESCO and to interpret rules, manage priorities to meet tight deadlines. 
•   Proven excellent oral, written, analytical and communication skills both in English and Russian languages.
•   Ability to multi-task, prioritize to adjust work schedules and deliver timely results including ability to work under stress.
•   Ability to work in multi-cultural environment, and discretion, capacity to deal efficiently and tactfully with people of different cultural and social backgrounds
•   Good organizational and filing skills. 
•   Good computer and other IT skills including excellent skills in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).

LANGUAGES

•    Excellent knowledge of English and Russian (oral and written).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the UN System, or an international organization.
• Working experience with culture-related national and international projects as an asset

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of Kazakh.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

ASSESSMENT

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