Programme Assistant

United Nations Industrial Development Organisation; Bogotá ciudad; Presencial; COP 88.832.000 - 108.572.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Bogota, Colombia, seeks a Programme Assistant to support technical cooperation programmes and provide clerical and administrative assistance. The post is local recruitment and open to internal and external applicants; emphasis on accurate, timely processing and documentation in a multicultural UN environment.

Key responsibilities include coordinating schedules, drafting reports, handling correspondence, and ensuring efficient

Formación

• Minimum five (5) years of working experience providing support to managerial/professional staff.
• Experience in office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system.
• Experience/proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English is required.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

Responsabilidades

• Screen incoming correspondence, emails, calls and visitors; draft replies as needed.
• Maintain the supervisor's calendar, schedule meetings and manage invites.
• Draft, review and proofread routine and non-routine correspondence and briefs.
• Prepare background information, reports, and presentation materials.
• Monitor project budgets and expenditures related to office administration and TC matters.

Educación

Completed higher secondary education

First level university degree accepted with reduced requirement

Herramientas

Microsoft Office

Descripción del empleo

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Requisition ID:8103
Grade:G5
Country:Colombia
Duty Station:Bogota
Category:General Service/Admin. Support
Type of Job Posting:Internal and External
Employment Type:Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 100 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary:98 702 000 COP
Application Deadline:12-Oct-2026, 11:59 PM(Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
This post is for local recruitment only.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declaration adopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development inMember States. The relevance of this mission as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9 , which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO's relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the policymaking organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization.

The Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination Offices (GLO/RFO) coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO's services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates, upon guidance of GLO/FLS, the development of regional strategies, country programmes (including Programmes for Country Partnership - PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; the Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin American and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).

The Field Offices are responsible for representing UNIDO in their host country, countries/regions of coverage, as applicable and for maintaining close relations with all relevant stakeholders. They are responsible for identifying development priorities and donors’ technical and funding priorities in the host country, countries of /regions of coverage, and for supporting, and/or leading when requested, the formulation, implementation and monitoring of technical cooperation projects and programmes, including the Programmes for Country Partnership (PCPs) and the Country Programmes (CPs).

The Field Offices are also responsible for coordinating and reporting on UNIDO’s activities in their host country, countries/region of coverage, as applicable and for leading/contributing to the development, operationalization and promotion of regional and sub-regional strategies and policies to ensure the strategic and programmatic consistency of UNIDO’s work, including of its cooperation with and contributions to the United Nations Resident Coordinator Offices (UNRCs)/United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs)/Common Country Assessments (CCAs)/United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs). This position is located in UNIDO Sub-regional Office in Colombia, GLO/RFO/FLD/LAC/COL.

At the G5 level the incumbent is expected to perform independent and specialized processes focusing on consistent service delivery and support services within the organizational environment and team. His/her interventions result in process consistency.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the UNIDO Representative, the ProgrammeAssistant provides support in the development and administration of technical cooperation programmes and projects as well as clerical and administrative support and is responsible for the following key functions:

• Screen incoming correspondence, emails, telephone calls and visitors; draft replies for the supervisor's signature on non-technical, administrative and routine programme matters; provide relevant background information, monitor pending actions and ensure timely follow-up with internal and external counterparts.
• Maintain the supervisor's calendar and agenda, coordinate appointments and meetings, manage invitations and scheduling requests, and support the planning and organization of missions, events and other official engagements.
• Draft, review and proofread routine and non-routine correspondence, briefing notes, reports, presentations and other documentation related to administrative and technical cooperation (TC) activities, ensuring accuracy, high-quality language, appropriate format and compliance with the UNIDO Correspondence Manual and organizational standards.
• Conduct research and compile background information, statistical data and analytical inputs to support project identification, programme development, reporting requirements, strategic decision-making and the preparation of briefs, talking points and presentation materials.
• Analyse project information, financial data, budget implementation trends and performance indicators; prepare summaries and reports to support programme monitoring, results reporting and management decision-making.
• Monitor project budgets and expenditures on office administration and TC matters, review financial information, identify discrepancies or implementation issues, initiate or recommend corrective actions and budget revisions where required, and bring significant matters to the supervisor's attention.
• Support the implementation, monitoring and closure of TC projects, including budget revisions, obligation reviews, reallocations, re-phasing, extensions, completion processes, issuance of project allotment documents and other project-related administrative actions in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.
• Using SAP (PPM and related modules), initiate, process and follow up on administrative and project-related transactions, including recruitment of personnel and experts, procurement actions, contractual arrangements, payments, travel authorizations and claims, training activities and other programme support requirements.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness and integrity of administrative, financial and project-related data maintained in SAP and other corporate systems, and retrieve information required for planning, monitoring and reporting purposes.
• Perform and coordinate administrative support activities related to meetings, workshops, missions and events, including logistical arrangements, documentation, procurement requests, travel documentation, visa applications, expenditure authorizations and other related administrative requirements.
• Identify procedural, operational or administrative issues affecting programme delivery or office efficiency, analyse underlying causes and propose practical improvements to strengthen effectiveness, compliance and service delivery.
• Support engagement with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and other inter-agency coordination mechanisms by contributing to joint initiatives, reporting exercises, meetings and related follow-up actions.
• Maintain structured filing systems, databases, records and documentation in both electronic and hard-copy formats to ensure accessibility, audit readiness and preservation of institutional knowledge.
• Apply digital technologies and AI-enabled tools, where appropriate, to support information management, data analysis, reporting, document preparation and workflow monitoring.
• Carry out ad hoc programme, analytical, coordination, communication and administrative assignments, and perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Education: Completed higher secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent), is required. Formal administrative/secretarial/clerical training or equivalent, is desirable. A first level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in relevant fields is accepted with a reduced requirement for years of professional experience.

Technical and Functional Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of working experience in providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills to assist in the execution of project and programme development and implementation of work, is required. Candidates holding a relevant first‑level university degree or higher must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is required.
• Experience/proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet, is required.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.
• Experience in maintaining electronic and physical filing systems and archives, and in handling confidential information with accuracy and discretion, is required.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language and/or other languages spoken across Latin America is an asset.

Core Values, Behaviours and Functional Competence

Core Values

• Excellence – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance
• Integrity – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly
• Inclusion – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness
• Humility – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions
• Humanity – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development

Core Behaviors

• Connect & Collaborate - Build trust through communication and teamwork; Share knowledge and embrace diversity
• Analyse & Plan - Use data and evidence for decision-making; Plan proactively and prioritize effectively
• Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Take ownership and deliver quality outputs; Align work with UNIDO mission and objectives
• Learn and Develop - Continuously develop skills; Seek feedback and share knowledge
• Adapt and Innovate - Respond flexibly to change; Embrace innovation and new approaches

Functional Competence

• Continuously develop and maintain expertise
• Stay informed of industry trends and best practices
• Apply knowledge to improve results and decision-making
• Adopt new tools and technologies
• Take ownership of professional development

Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.