Stretch Assignment: Programme Associate

Level: GS6 – we encourage staff at G5/G6 levels with the relevant experience to apply

Reports to: Chief Child Protection and Chief WASH, Programmes

Duration: 6-8 weeks

Modality: Fully remote, full-time or part-time, with a minimum commitment of 50%

Section: Child Protection / WASH

Location: Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Tentative (flexible) start date: 2 November 2026.

Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members at G-5, G-6 and G-7 levels currently working in UNICEF worldwide with relevant programme support experience.

Background

UNICEF Haiti is seeking one or two Programme Associates to provide temporary programme and administrative support, primarily to Child Protection and Wash, with cross-cutting support to other programme sections as needed. The Programme Associate will provide technical, operational and administrative assistance through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analysing and presenting technical information to ensure the application of HACT and related organizational rules, regulations and procedures in the CO. The assignment offers an opportunity to strengthen programme support skills and gain experience working across several programme sections in a complex humanitarian setting.

The assignment will help teams complete priority year-end closure actions while maintaining programme delivery, including for strategic humanitarian response project. The focus will be on Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) requests and liquidations, Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures (FACE) processing, budget and grant monitoring, implementing partnership processes and reporting.

A focused workplan will be agreed during the first week, with priorities, portfolios and deliverables proportionate to each colleague’s grade, experience and agreed time commitment. If two colleagues are selected, responsibilities will be clearly divided to ensure complementary support.

Purpose of the Position

Under the guidance of the Chief Child Protection, and Chief WASH, and in collaboration with Education and relevant Operations colleagues, the selected colleagues will contribute to the following areas.

1. Support year-end planning and prioritisation.
2. Support DCT liquidation and implementing partnership follow-up.
3. Strengthen budget and grant monitoring and reporting.
4. Support coordination documentation and handover.

Other related tasks may be agreed with the supervisor within the scope and duration of the assignment.

Supervision and feedback:

The Chief Child Protection, and Chief WASH, will jointly oversee the assignment, agree portfolio allocations and arbitrate competing requests, in consultation with the Education section.

Each selected colleague will have one designated primary supervisor from these two Chiefs, confirmed before the assignment begins. Programme and Operations focal points will provide day-to-day guidance on assigned tasks. The primary supervisor will agree a workplan, learning objectives and weekly check-ins with each colleague, in consultation with the releasing supervisor.

At the end of the assignment, the primary supervisor, with inputs from the sections supported, will provide brief written feedback on the work completed, skills developed and areas for further development. This feedback will be shared with the assignee and releasing supervisor.

Duration

This stretch assignment will be for a period of 6 to 8 weeks.

Key expected results

Expected outputs, Learning Objectives and Development Opportunities.

The final deliverables will be agreed during the first week and scaled to each colleague’s assigned portfolio and time commitment. They will include:

• An assignment workplan with agreed portfolio allocation, year-end priorities, deliverables, deadlines and learning objectives.
• An updated closure tracker covering assigned DCT/FACE, partnership, budget and grant actions, reviewed at least weekly.
• Completed support to agreed priority documentation and follow-up actions, with concise progress summaries and timely escalation of unresolved issues.
• A final status summary and handover package, accompanied by a debrief with the supervisor and relevant colleagues.

The assignment will provide an opportunity to develop:

• Practical skills in prioritising year-end actions, managing deadlines and tracking programme support workflows.
• Experience in DCT liquidation follow-up, FACE documentation and implementing partnership support across sectors.
• Skills in budget and grant analysis and preparation of clear financial and programme status updates.
• Experience in remote collaboration with programme, Operations and partner teams in a humanitarian context.

Learning will take place through agreed tasks, participation in relevant meetings, joint review of outputs and exchanges with experienced colleagues. The designated supervisor and programme focal points will provide regular guidance, coaching and feedback.

At the start of the assignment, each colleague and their supervisor will agree on achievable learning objectives, in consultation with the releasing supervisor. These will be reflected in the colleague’s development plan. A final debrief will review learning achievements and opportunities to apply the experience in their regular role.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience of Successful Candidate:

• Completion of secondary education is required. Relevant professional or university courses in administration, finance, programme management or a related field are desirable.
• Relevant programme or administrative support experience, commensurate with the candidate’s current G-5, G-6 or G-7 level, with practical experience in UNICEF programme processes.
• Hands-on experience in DCT/FACE follow-up, budget and grant monitoring, or implementing partnership administration is strongly desirable.
• Experience supporting year-end closure and familiarity with UNICEF financial and programme systems, including VISION/SAP, would be an asset.
• Ability to use Excel and shared digital tools to analyse financial and programme information, maintain accurate trackers and prepare concise reports.
• Ability to work collaboratively across locations, manage competing priorities and deliver agreed outputs within a short timeframe.
• Working proficiency in French is required. Working knowledge of English is desirable. Knowledge of Haitian Creole would be an asset.
• Experience supporting Child Protection, Education, WASH or humanitarian programmes would be an advantage.

The scope, complexity and level of responsibility will be tailored to the selected colleague’s grade and experience.

Competencies of Successful Candidate:

Selected colleagues are expected to demonstrate UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability, and the following competencies:

• Builds and maintains partnerships.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
• Drives to achieve results for impact.
• Innovates and embraces change.
• Thinks and acts strategically.
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.
• Works collaboratively with others.

Particular emphasis will be placed on accuracy, confidentiality, collaboration, adaptability and timely follow-up of agreed priorities.

Release and Funding Arrangements:

• The assignment is fully remote, on a full-time or part-time basis, with a minimum commitment of 50 per cent. Working hours and regular availability for meetings will be agreed to ensure sufficient overlap with the Haiti team.
• The receiving and releasing offices will confirm the time commitment, protected working hours, duration and release arrangements before the assignment begins. Deliverables will be proportionate to the agreed availability.
• Selected colleagues will remain on their existing posts while temporarily supporting UNICEF Haiti. Their existing status, post number, grade and remuneration will remain unchanged. Salary and emoluments will continue to be paid by the releasing office. Upon completion, colleagues will resume their regular duties with the releasing office.
• There is no vacant post associated with this stretch assignment and no Special Post Allowance is attached to the opportunity.
• The assignment does not include travel to Haiti.
• Selected colleagues must complete applicable UNICEF mandatory online courses and provide relevant certificates before starting. Required system access and remote working arrangements will be confirmed at the outset.

How to Apply

This opportunity is open to UNICEF staff at G-5 and G-6 levels with relevant programme support experience, holding a Fixed-Term, Permanent or Continuing appointment covering the full duration of the assignment.

If qualified and interested, you should obtain your supervisor’s agreement and send your application with your up-to-dated CV or e-recruitment profile and a cover letter no later than COB 29 October with the following:

• Your up-to-date CV or e-recruitment (TMS) profile
• Your two most recent PERs;
• A cover letter detailing your interest, qualifications and suitability;
• Copy of head of office agreement

Candidates should indicate their availability from 2 November 2026, preferred duration of six to eight weeks, proposed time commitment of 50–100 per cent, time zone and relevant programme support experience.

Timeframe

The assignment will begin on 2 November 2026 and last six to eight weeks. The exact duration and full-time or part-time arrangement will be confirmed with each selected colleague and the releasing office before the start.

During the first week, the supervisor and selected colleague will confirm programme priorities, learning objectives, deliverables and working arrangements. The final week will include completion of agreed outputs, handover and a debrief.