Project Associate

Background

 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP in Kazakhstan is guided by its Country Programme Document, which is in line with the strategic priorities of the Government of Kazakhstan, enshrined in the “Kazakhstan-2050” Strategy, Strategic Development Plan to 2025, and other key sectoral strategies and plans. UNDP supports Kazakhstan in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and sustaining its growth trajectory by diversifying economy, modernizing institutions, reducing inequalities and sustainably managing natural resources. To achieve these results, UNDP will support the implementation of a number of projects that will aim to attain outputs envisaged under the Country Programme Document. To enhance programme efficiency, Project Associate within UNDP will support project teams by providing essential financial, procurement, and administrative services to help achieve project goals. Key responsibilities include managing project finances and budgets, supporting procurement, organizing events, maintaining records, and offering additional administrative support as needed, in line with UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP).

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation. 
- Compile and summarize information and data for the formulation of project work plans, draft annual/quarterly 
budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and on other specific project related topics or issues. 
- Provide comprehensive support in all aspects of project implementation in accordance with the project 
documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners. Ensure quality 
of delivery by consultants, beneficiaries, and contracted companies; and communicate findings to the 
supervisor. 
- Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures (POPP) 
and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures(SOP). When necessary, provide guidance to project staff on business 
processes, administrative and other requirements and procedures.

- Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection and 
compilation. Prepare gender equality background materials for use in discussions, briefings, and 
correspondence.
- Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes 
organizing/coordinating project events and selecting appropriate venues, coordinating project procurement 
procedures, maintaining project records and files, recruiting project team members, and supporting contracting 
activities.
Support partnerships and resource mobilization. 
- Establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with the relevant UN Agencies, government institutions, NGOs, 
tertiary institutions, partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Provide support in updating the database of the 
relevant public and development partners, and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the project.
- Ensure regular communication and coordination with partners, project counterparts, stakeholders, and 
beneficiaries; and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback 
and insight.
- Support creation of high quality information and visibility of the project activities among the stakeholders; and 
ensure careful selection of communication tools and tailoring the messages to take into account the overall 
socio-political and development context in host countries.
- Undertake horizon scanning and explore opportunities for resource mobilization in consultation with direct 
supervisor. 
Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project
implementation.
- Support implementation of the project monitoring system in alignment with its Monitoring and Evaluation 
framework to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback, and elaboration of high-quality 
progress reports. 
- Collect, analyze and present information for monitoring and evaluation of project implementation against 
project targets as well as for audit purposes. Identify gaps in implementation and provide support in bridging 
those gaps in consultation with supervisor and partners.
- Assist in the organization of field and study visits, missions, workshops, roundtables, and conferences within the 
project.
- Assist in implementation of effective risk management for the project with a well-documented risk mitigation 
plan in place. Support monitoring of previously identified and emerging risks.
- Regularly monitor expenditures and commitments against the project budget and relevant plans, and provide 
finance-related information to support project implementation. When necessary, recommend corrective 
actions and draft various correspondence concerning finance, operations, and budgetary issues.
- Prepare and consolidate required project reports on a timely basis and in line with monitoring and reporting 
guidelines and donor requirements.
Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing relevant to the assigned project. 
- Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to 
other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or 
platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
- Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and 
regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the 
work of the assigned project.

 

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:  Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:  Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, 
confront discrimination 

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required. University Degree (Bachelor’s) in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required.

Required skills:

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Experience in preparation of financial reports and overviews is desired. Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools is desired. Knowledge of project management processes is desired. Knowledge of procurement procedures of national / international organizations is desired.
• Fluency in English and Kazakh and/or Russian is required.

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