Programme Assistant, DECI/SEC (Temporary)

UN Secretariat; Genf; On-site; CHF 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat, within the Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness Section (SEC), is seeking a Programme Assistant to support coordination and administration of complex program and project initiatives. The role involves monitoring proposals, reviewing documentation for compliance, and managing budget revisions.

The assistant serves as a liaison for personnel actions, travel, payments, and procurement; drafts status reports and briefing notes; and supports information sharing and knowledge

Qualifications

• Requires five years of experience in program or project administration.
• Three years' experience acceptable with a university degree.
• Fluency in English required; French desired.

Responsibilities

• Assists in coordinating program and project planning for complex initiatives.
• Monitors proposals and documentation for compliance.
• Compiles, summarizes, and presents program/project data.
• Reviews budgets and cost plans for compliance and consistency, and distributes approved documents.
• Manages budget revisions, verifies fund availability, and ensures proper system entry.
• Serves as a focal point for administrative coordination, liaising with personnel actions, travel, payments, and procurement.
• Compiles project delivery data, drafts status reports, and identifies delivery shortfalls or budget overruns.
• Drafts correspondence on budget matters and prepares periodic reports, briefing notes, and statistical summaries.
• Provides general office assistance, handles inquiries, manages correspondence and files, and organizes meetings and workshops.
• Offers guidance and training to junior staff.
• Assists in data collection, analysis, and preparation of presentations for information sharing and decision-making.
• Supports the creation and updating of information materials like web pages or brochures.

Skills

Professionalism

Communication

Teamwork

Ability to work with figures

Basic research

Information gathering

Good judgment

Data analysis

Modeling

Interpretation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

ERP system

Job description

Organizational context: The International Trade Centre (ITC) aims to transform trade and change lives by enabling trade-led economic development, particularly in the Global South. It empowers small businesses and strengthens ecosystems for sustainable impact. The Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness Section (SEC) within the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions (DECI) focuses on developing and disseminating sector-level expertise for market-driven solutions.

Job purpose: The Programme Assistant supports the coordination and administration of program and project initiatives within the Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness Section (SEC) of the International Trade Centre (ITC). This role involves monitoring project proposals, reviewing documentation for compliance, and managing budget revisions. The assistant acts as a liaison for administrative coordination, processing actions related to personnel, travel, payments, and procurement. They compile data on project delivery, draft status reports, and provide general office support, including managing correspondence, files, and organizing meetings. The position contributes to efficient program implementation and information management, supporting decision-making and knowledge sharing.

Responsibilities: Assists in coordinating program and project planning and preparation for complex initiatives, monitoring proposals and documentation. Compiles, summarizes, and presents program/project data. Reviews project documents, including cost plans and budgets, for compliance and consistency, and distributes approved documents. Manages budget revisions, verifies fund availability, and ensures proper system entry. Serves as a focal point for administrative coordination, liaising with various units for personnel actions, travel, payments, and procurement. Compiles project delivery data, drafts status reports, and identifies delivery shortfalls or budget overruns. Drafts correspondence on budget matters and prepares periodic reports, briefing notes, and statistical summaries. Provides general office assistance, handles inquiries, manages correspondence and files, and organizes meetings and workshops. Offers guidance and training to junior staff. Assists in data collection, analysis, and preparation of presentations for information sharing and decision-making. Supports the creation and updating of information materials like web pages or brochures.

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work experience: Requires five years of experience in program or project administration, technical cooperation, or a related field. Three years of experience is acceptable with a university degree. Experience within the UN common system and with an ERP system is desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, ability to work with figures, basic research, information gathering, good judgment, data analysis, modeling, and interpretation.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: French