Programme Assistant

Org. Setting and Reporting
- The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme is a major initiative aimed at sustainably increasing intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the European Union (EU). Funded by the EU and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this four-year program aims to improve market access for specific value chains and increase the export competitiveness of SMEs in these sectors. It also seeks to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance with quality standards, and promote added value and export diversification. By prioritizing women
- and youth-led businesses, ATCMA aims to promote economic inclusion and encourage sustainable business practices. The umbrella programme is structured around two intervention levels: 1) the Continental Component and 2) Sub-regional Components in five RECs: COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC. The current opening pertains to the ECOWAS sub-regional component of the ATCMA umbrella programme.
- Responsibilities
- Under the direct supervision of the ATCMA ECOWAS Programme Officer at ITC HQ and the general guidance of the Chief, Office for Africa, the Programme Assistant is responsible for the following duties: - Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work for, typically, a medium-size and complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval. - Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/project and related topics or issues. - Reviews project documents, especially cost plans/budgets, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval. - Reviews budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system. - Serves as focal point for administrative coordination of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc. - Compiles, summarizes and enters data on project delivery; drafts related status reports, identifying shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and brings to the attention of management. - Drafts correspondence on budget-related issues and prepares and updates periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc. - Provides general office assistance; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; sets up and maintains files/records; organizes meetings, workshops; handles routine administrative tasks, such as maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing, etc. - Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff. - Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. - Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. - Performs other duties as assigned.
- Competencies
- Education
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Job - Specific Qualification
- Not available.
- Work Experience
- Languages
- For the position advertised, fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
- Assessment
- Special Notice
- United Nations Considerations
- No Fee