Assistant Administrative Officer United Nations Development Programme Experience: 0 to 3 Years Colombo, Sri Lanka Apply By: 28-02-2025

Under the overall guidance of the UN RC in Sri Lanka and under the direct supervision of the SHRA and in collaboration with programme staff, the incumbent will support the integration of a human rights-based approach (HRBA) into UN programmes and activities, in particular the UNSDCF; support the strengthening of national institutions and capacities and strengthen the engagement with mechanisms through the execution of all administration and finance-related matters in relation to the team’s work under the Delegation of Authority in UMOJA.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This comprehensive framework outlines the responsibilities of the Human Rights Officer in advancing UN RCO’s SDG agenda and integration of a HRBA, ensuring alignment with organizational strategies and goals.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks and crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. The Human Rights Officer will play a crucial role in supporting a portfolio approach for all HRBA initiatives, driving comprehensive HRBA transformation within the UN RCO and UN programmes.

Contribute to the implementation of the Delegation of Authority in UMOJA. 

Operationalize the use of UMOJA in all finance, budget, admin and programme support processes.

Ensure adherence to UMOJA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline all finance, admin and programme support processes.

Supports the development and implementation of cost plans:

• Ensure adherence to UNDP and UN Secretariat rules, regulations, policies and strategies as applicable.
• Lead on all procurement processes including LVPOs.
• Initiate financial authorizations for expenditures.
• Supports the organization and implementation of activities.
• Organize conferences, travel, transportation and workshops.
• Coordinate travel, DSA, and other travel related issues.
• Assists in the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of budgets and cost plans
• Support audit preparations and implement management responses effectively.
• Prepare inputs for comprehensive reporting, including donor reports.
• Track resources utilized, undertakes periodic status reviews, identify issues and initiate requisite follow-up actions, report on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verify availability of funds; ensure necessary approval.
• Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues.
• Draft memos, letters, notes, justifications and any other communications.
• Prepare revised budget estimates.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in administration, business, finance or a related field is required, Or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelors degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national and/or international level in providing advisory services and hands-on experience in administration, finance, business development, or related fields.
• Experience in providing strategic guidance on administration, finance or programme support services is required.
• Experience in supporting the Delegation of Authority in UMOJA or another comparable enterprise resources planning software including SAP is desirable.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and office software packages, including but not limited to MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams) is required.
• Experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders including UN agencies, government partners, development partners, businesses and civil society is an asset.
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team environment, such as development agencies, international organizations, international private businesses is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English, and Tamil or Sinhala is required.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/24095