UNOCHA Ukraine·Apr 14, 2026

Programme Assistant

Under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Support monitoring, analysis, and reporting on humanitarian developments, needs, response gaps, an...

On-siteNationalSpecialist UCoS from Apr202617. Partnerships for the goals
On-site

Ukraine

Kharkiv

Duration

230 days

Extendable

Positions

1 Available

Deadline

Apr 28, 2026

13 days left

🎯

Sustainable Development Goal

17. Partnerships for the goals

General Information

Description of assignment title

Programme Assistant

Assignment country

Ukraine

Expected start date

May 15, 2026

Sustainable Development Goal

17. Partnerships for the goals

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Host entity

UNOCHA Ukraine

Type

onsite

Duration

230 days
(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments

1

Duty stations

Kharkiv

Assignment Details

Mission and Objectives

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Ukraine. OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

Context

The position is located in the in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Ukraine. OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Support monitoring, analysis, and reporting on humanitarian developments, needs, response gaps, and operational constraints, particularly in conflict-affected areas. - Research, compile, verify, and analyze information from multiple sources to contribute to OCHA information products (e.g. situation reports, briefings, updates, presentations, and donor reports) in coordination with relevant units. - Assist in humanitarian coordination processes, including support to the sub-national coordination group, thematic working group meetings, including providing secretariat and administrative support in meetings and events, including minutes taking, etc. - Support information management functions, including maintaining contact lists, service mapping, referral pathways, and ensuring proper documentation and data tracking. - Assist in monitoring programme implementation, including follow-up on referrals and partner responses. - Assist in compiling, collating, verifying and triangulating of data/info for the drafting of OCHA regular information products in English, Ukrainian/Russian in collaboration with Public Information/Reporting Unit. - Participate in field missions, inter-agency assessments, and monitoring visits, and support the identification of priority needs and vulnerable groups. - Support the organization of meetings, events, and field missions, including preparation of agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions. - Promote volunteerism and community engagement, including outreach to local volunteer groups and civil society, and support visibility through field stories and contributions to UNV platforms. - Contribute to knowledge-sharing and reporting on volunteerism, including participation in UNV initiatives (e.g. International Volunteer Day) and submission of relevant content. - Perform any other related duties as required in support of OCHA’s operational priorities.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Assignment Requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Language Requirements
UkrainianRequired
Fluent
EnglishRequired
Fluent
RussianPreferred
Fluent
Required education level

Master's degree

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Communication, Crisis and emergency response

Driving license

-

Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to OCHA Ukraine; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to OCHA Ukraine procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and OCHA Ukraine in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards OCHA Ukraine mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Skills and experience
- A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience programme support, information management, or administrative/office support is required. - Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting, including the ability to compile, verify, and synthesize information from multiple sources, is desirable. - Experience supporting coordination mechanisms, meetings, or working groups (including agenda preparation, note-taking, and follow-up) is an asset. - Proficiency in standard office software (e.g. MS Office/365), including data handling and document preparation, is required; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. - Experience in humanitarian or development contexts, particularly in emergency or conflict-affected settings, is desirable. - Prior experience with the United Nations Common System or other international organizations is an advantage.

Additional Information

Living conditions and remarks
As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves. Entitlements of National UN Volunteer Specialist >> USD 1690 The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy, with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract. Allowances: - Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of USD 1690 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”. - USD 350 entry lump sum, one-time payment. - USD 120 exit lump sum for each month served, paid on completion of contract Medical and life insurance: - Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the Commencement of Service. - Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum. Leave entitlements: - Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment. - Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. - Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. - Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.
Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity without distinction.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to vaccination requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), in line with the applicable host entity policy.

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