Project Associate

Background

The Umbrella Programme to Support National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) Update and the 7th National Reports is a GEF grant that has the objectives to provide technical and financial assistance to eligible countries in revising and updating their NBSAPs in order to align with the recently agreed upon Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and enable effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF) at the national level. In addition, this grant supports countries in preparing and submitting their 7th National Report on the implementation of the CBD and the KM GBF. 

It aims to foster cooperation and coordination among different sectors and stakeholders, including, and not limited to, governments, civil society organizations, private sector, academia, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), to ensure their effective participation in the NBSAP revision and implementation process. The ultimate goal is to support countries to take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss to put nature contribute to the achievement of the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

In addition, this Global Programme will also build upon existing work through the GEF EAS that is ongoing, as well as support to countries to develop biodiversity finance plans, through the recently approved “Umbrella Programme to Support Development of Biodiversity Finance Plans”. 

The Government of the Philippines, following its ratification to the Convention on Biological Diversity, is an eligible country to the Global Programme and is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through its Biodiversity Management Bureau, is leading its implementation to further the country efforts to update its Philippine Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (PBSAP) and to ensure its targets are revisited and are aligned to the KM GBF. It will also facilitate the development and submission of its 7^th National Report.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Associate will support the technical, administrative and financial requirements of the project. He/she will closely work with the government agency focal in ensuring that agency coordination, research work streams, capacity-building activities and, plan and report drafting are completed. The Project Associate will support the Technical Lead and Biodiversity Planning Specialist.

 Particularly, support will be for the following functions and provide effective support to project implementation and financial management.

Ensure implementation of operational strategies focusing on the achievement of results

• Ensure full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations in the implementation of project business processes and other operational matters;
• Establish appropriate project management and delivery targets and monitor the achievement of results;
• Devise appropriate solutions for operational constraints and assist the National Team in troubleshooting challenges to project implementation.
• Provide research support to the project to achieve project targets.
• Provide general administrative and logistical support to the project management for conducting project activities.

Ensure effective project budgeting and financial controls

• In cooperation with the Project Associate, assist in the preparation of project budget and other planning procedures, and in tracking expenditures;
• Ensure that financial transactions are properly monitored and resources are properly accounted for, including project assets;
• Prepare budget and delivery forecasts and financial reports and ensure the financial integrity of the project through appropriate controls and reporting structures.

Ensure efficient provision of procurement services and quality of project inputs

• Lead the preparation of procurement plans/strategies, Terms of Reference, specifications, etc. for the effective sourcing of project inputs to implementation;
• Conduct market research and other scoping activities to ensure competitive procurement and efficient use of resources, following value-for-money principles and in line with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Lead the management of project contracts and ensure the maintenance and timely receipting of goods and services, conduct regular project corporate and financial housekeeping (e.g. monitoring of contracts/purchase orders, follow-up to vendors/service providers, application of appropriate contract management modalities and actions, etc., monitoring of legal implications, risk management);
• Support project recruitment activities and ensure compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies.

Support for partnerships and coordination

• Support the Country Office in partnership building, including partners in the development of activity plans and budgets;
• Support the project in narrative and financial reporting processes and requirements.
• Liaise and maintain communication with stakeholders for successful implementation of project activities, including development of project communication materials.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate shall be directly supervised by the Programme Analyst, working closely with the Programme Associate, Climate Action Programme and Operations Teams and coordinating with the DENR-BMB. S/he will report at the UNDP premises in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 

CORE COMPETENCIES: 

Achieve Results

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Partnership management: Relationship Management

Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/ or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Finance: Budget Management

Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets

Administration and Operations: Events Management

Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Business Management: Project Management

Ability to plan, organize prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management: Communication

Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 

Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channel

Business Direction & Strategy: Business Acumen

Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. 

Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. 

Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization. 

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

Secondary Education is required. 

First level university degree (bachelor's degree) in Social Sciences, Science, Development Studies, Business Administration and/ or other related fields will be given due consideration but is not a requirement

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum of six (6) years (with secondary education) or three (3) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in administrative and technical support for programme/project development, implementation, and management, led by the Government of the Philippines, including in the areas of biodiversity, or related fields is required

Required skills 

Experience in providing technical support to project implementation

Experience in coordinating and working with stakeholders in the Philippines including but not limited to government agencies, private sector, NGOs, etc.

Excellent computer literacy and skills on MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, database systems, and overall report writing, is required

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

Knowledge of Philippine Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (PBSAP) review and updating would be an asset 

Previous work experience with a UN organization or other international organizations at local or international level on project implementation is desirable 

Previous work experience with DENR, especially its Biodiversity Management Bureau or its other bureaus and regional offices, on implementation of biodiversity projects is desirable.

Required Language(s):  Fluency in English and Filipino languages is required.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experiences, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

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