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Climate change presents the most profound global threat to humanity in this era. There is scientific evidence of warming in Zimbabwe. A set of climatic extremes show that the monthly highest daily maximum temperatures for most of the country are on the increase, by about 2oC per century and the percentage of days with low temperatures is decreasing at a rate of about 15 days/century. Droughts and floods have become common in Zimbabwe causing suffering of millions of people in particular women and children, posing a serious threat to agriculture and food security and reversing development gains. Zimbabwe is particularly vulnerable to climate variability and change as over 60% of its population lives in rural areas and is dependent on climate-sensitive livelihoods in particular rain-fed agriculture and livestock.
A comprehensive multi-stakeholder and well-coordinated national response is urgently required. It is against this background that a programme on “Strengthening national capacity for climate change in Zimbabwe” has been designed involving several Government line Ministries, UN agencies, donors and civil society and private sector. The overall aim of this programme is to strengthen national capacity for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Zimbabwe.
A Programme Assistant to assume an advisory and supportive role to the National Programme Coordinator- Climate Change based at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management is required to assist with daily administration of the programme. The Programme Assistant will be recruited locally according to procedures for such positions by Government and UNDP and will serve as member of the programme secretariat As such s/He will be responsible for all the preparatory work leading to each meeting including the completion of draft agenda and the preparation and the circulation of all the documentation. S/He will also be responsible for finalizing the draft record of the meeting in good time, circulating it for comments and implementing any necessary adjustments.
Duties and Responsibilities
S/He will provide administrative, logistical and financial support to programme implementation in line with UN and Government rules and procedures. Specific duties and responsibilities of the Programme Assistant include:
Assist in preparing for Board meetings and prepare and circulate minutes and any other documentation necessary for the meetings
Compile background material, working papers and statistical data for briefing sessions
Arrange programme visits and prepare reports including travel administration functions
Assist in preparing for training sessions
Prepare payment requests to UNDP including adequate supporting documentation and follow up on status
Draft routine correspondence and follow up and respond to queries on programme matters
Support with procurement of goods and services including contracts administration
Maintain an asset register for programme equipment
Collect, maintain and update data relevant to the programme
Maintain a consultants’ database for the programme.
Maintain programme files for technical and financial records and keep information and reference material in a manner which allows easy reference and retrieval.
Provide programme information and data as requested by audit and evaluation missions
Support with preparation of workplans, progress reports including financial reports and obtaining necessary approvals and authorisations.
Performs as UNDP/MENRM liaison on administrative and finance issues for the Climate Change programme.
Competencies
Well-organized, tidy methodological in his/her approach to office environment.
Good judgement in balancing the need to follow orders and take initiatives
Ability to deal with multiple stakeholders
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Required Skills and Experience
Secondary Education preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance or a University degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable.
5 years or more of relevant administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level.
Experience in office management, equipment, usage of computers and office software packages (E-mail/Internet, MS Word, Excel, Publisher etc; ) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages and in handling of web- based management systems.
Knowledge and experience of Government and UNDP project administration procedures will be an asset.
Experience in Climate Change programming will be an added advantage.
