Programme Associate, Quality Assurance, Kampala

General

Description of assignment title

Programme Associate, Quality Assurance

Assignment country

Uganda

Duty stations

Kampala

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

12/01/2026

Expected end date

03/31/2027

Sustainable Development Goal

17. Partnerships for the goals

Host entity

UNICEF

Modality

Onsite

Type

National

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Advertisement end date

11/13/2026 12:00 AM

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

Context

UNICEF adopted the 2014 revised UNDG Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) as a tool to ensure that funds transferred to partners are utilized as intended.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Programme Specialist (Quality Assurance), the Programme Associate UNV (Quality Assurance) will support the Quality assurance unit by carrying out a range of quality assurance functions to help develop, implement and monitor their country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate UNV works in close collaboration and supervision of the Programme Specialist in assisting with review of systems, risks, application of policies and procedures and the capacity building of staff as well as counterparts within the area of internal control.

Task description

Under the supervision of the the Programme Specialist, Quality Assurance, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support in the implementation of Uganda office HACT Assurance plan which provides for a cost-effective assurance system to ensure funds entrusted to UNICEF by donors are utilized as intended, there is transparent processes and oversight of cash transfers and capacities of national partners is strengthened for the management and accountability of cash transferred.
• Regular monitoring of the status of actions defined to mitigate significant risks and update the Office Risk Profile and support the specialist in managing key risks and opportunities to facilitate the achievement of CO objectives and planned results.
• Support in the planning and the implementation of capacity building activities of national implementing partners to improve budgeting and financial management capacities of implementing partners. Ensure that inventory of training and capacity development needs of implementing partners is developed.
• Share with implementing partners and CO staff HACT related reports, especially reports of assurance activities, to ensure adequate awareness and follow-up of identified issues.
• Participate in the review of assurance activity reports of implementing partners for quality check and the review’s recording in the e-tools.
• Coordinate with external service providers for the finalization of assurance activities reports, including based on UNICEF feedback.
• Performance of compliance tests and report on the implementation of SOPs and Work Processes.
• Create general awareness and common understanding among staff of key strategic, programmatic, operational and financial risks.
• Manage e-Tools and support colleagues in updating information on e-Tools on partners and HACT assurance status tasks e.g. monitoring progress of Micro assessments, Financial Spot Checks and Financial Audit dashboards, follow up actions among others.
• Perform assigned quality assurance administrative activities e.g. procurement, finance, travel activities among others.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field such as finance, audit, business administration or any other degree aligned with the role.

A valid professional certification such as ACCA, CPA, or an equivalent credential is an added advantage.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience

• Financial Management, Audit Management, Risk Management and/or Programme Management – with hands on experience in planning, undertaking and reporting on financial management assurance activities related to HACT and/or similar grant management oversight systems used by donor and funding agencies’
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in children, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Logistics, procurement, commodities

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Living conditions in Kampala are good with access to shops, healthcare, restaurants, bars and malls. Housing is widely available with different price categories depending on the area where you want to life. Due to the heavy trafficking, it is recommended to live close to the office. Occasional field visits are expected once every quarter to support field office colleagues, and to follow up implementation of the program. Uganda is known for their natural diversity which allows for great options for travels inside the country. Kampala offers various activities including rock climbing, sailing, hiking, football, tennis, cinema, going out, etc.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.

Scam warning

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