Driver/Clerk

Background

Forests cover only 385,000 ha, or about 13% of Moldova's territory, (far below the European average of 30%). Furthermore, these are primarily concentrated in the central region (60% of the forest estate), with lower coverage in the northern 26% and southern regions 14%. Around 40% of forests need ecological restoration, making sustainable forest management essential for rural livelihoods. Climate change amplifies existing gender inequalities, as women are more dependent on natural resources for household management, caregiving, and food provision. In the past 10 years, the Government of Moldova has made concerted efforts to increase forest cover to 15%, with an aim to increase economic and environmental benefits to rural communities in general and reduce land degradation in particular. 

According to scientific research, the current forest area is obviously insufficient to meet the ecological and socioeconomic needs of the RoM. In order to ensure a stable ecological balance and a more pronounced influence on the climatic and hydrological regime of the territory and to increase productivity of agricultural land, it is necessary that forests occupy at least 15% of the territory. This would play an extremely important role in watershed protection, while at the same time providing a number of direct and indirect economic and environmental benefits to rural communities: fuelwood, non-wood products, ravine stabilization, landscape beautification and other benefits. Dispersion and fragmentation of forest resources, their uneven distribution in the country is a negative factor in exerting beneficial eco-protective influences on the environment, creating comfortable living conditions for the population, and providing wood and non-wood products. 

The current state of pastures in the Republic of Moldova is generally unsatisfactory, as they are heavily impacted by excessive, unregulated grazing throughout the year and completely lack a management system. Poor management practices have allowed harmful plant species (shrubs and weeds) to invade the pastures, largely replacing valuable plant species. Currently, the effects of pasture degradation are evident in both biodiversity structure and productivity potential. The yields from these pastures are low in both quantity and quality, averaging around 1-3 tons of dry matter per hectare, which supports a grazing load of 0.2 - 0.5 livestock units per hectare. Sustainable pasture management is essential and cannot be achieved without organized land management and pastoral planning (management plans) that incorporate both the enhancement and appropriate utilization of grass cover, as well as the necessary infrastructure and equipment for modern, sustainable use.

The climate change risks are affecting primarily the rural poor and especially women. Rural population is increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts  especially women and women-led households, who are not able to provide resources and services needed to ensure water, food, and energy supply for their families.  Rural poor have limited knowledge regarding sustainable agricultural and forestry practices that would increase adaptation and resilience capacities of communities and ecosystems. Women are at higher risk of poverty, 26.3% of women are in absolute poverty, while men at 23.6% and the highest rate of absolute poverty is registered in households with three and more children (36.9%).  Women are more at risk of poverty including from: (i) lower employment of women, especially mothers with pre-school children, limiting career advancement, (ii) substantially lower assets and productive ownership accentuating financial deprivation, (iii) accentuating impact of climate change consequences on the women entrepreneurships.  

The project's ultimate outcome is to increase climate resilience and gender equality in rural Moldova through the sustainable management of forest, pasture, and agricultural resources, coupled with the economic empowerment of women. The project will tackle the development challenges in rural Moldova by implementing a multifaceted approach. It will enhance climate resilience and gender equality through sustainable forest and pasture management, fostering community-based enterprises that engage women. Targeted training will empower rural women with skills in climate-smart agriculture, leadership, and business development. The project will also address barriers to education and finance, ensuring equitable access for women. By promoting inclusive governance and strengthening sex-disaggregated data collection, it will support evidence-based decision-making and policy development. These solutions are designed to build robust, resilient communities and address gender disparities in economic and environmental sectors.

The project intends to achieve the ultimate outcome trough three intermediary outcomes:  

1.    By the end of 2029, target regions will benefit from healthier and more resilient ecosystems through the implementation of sustainable forest and pasture management practices. Both women and men will be actively engaged in these practices, supported by the establishment of community-based forest enterprises, afforestation and reforestation initiatives and training programs in climate-smart agriculture and environmental stewardship. This will contribute to increased biodiversity and improved ecosystem services.

2.    By the end of 2029, rural women in selected districts will implement economic and income generated activities in climate responsive agri and forest businesses. They will benefit from participation in community-based forest enterprises and improved roles in natural resource management. This will be supported through targeted business development assistance, financial literacy programs, and leadership training, addressing systemic barriers and promoting equitable access to economic resources and decision-making processes.

3.    By the end of 2029, local public authorities (LPAs), education institutions and communities will have developed and implemented inclusive governance frameworks that promote sustainable forest and pasture management. By the end of 2029, local public authorities (LPAs) and communities will have developed and implemented inclusive governance frameworks that promote sustainable forest and pasture management. This will be achieved through collaborative policy development that ensures women’s meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Additionally, specialized educational institutions will play a critical role by offering gender-sensitive, climate-smart curricula and capacity-building programs that support both community members and policymakers in integrating sustainability and gender equality into local governance and management practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

1. Car driving and maintenance:

• Ensure proper day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle through timely minor repairs, arrangements for other related repairs, timely changes of oil, check of tires, brakes, car washing, etc.;
• Ensures cost-savings through proper use of vehicle through accurate maintenance of daily vehicle logs, preparation of monthly summary of fuel consumption and report to Project Manager;
• Provide reliable and safe driving services by:
  a)    driving Project vehicles for the transport of UNDP and Programme staff and visitors;
  b)    delivery / collection of mail, documents, cargo, pouch and other items;
  c)    meeting official personnel and visitors at the airport including visa and customs formalities arrangement when required;
• Ensure safe and timely driving for field trips in- or out-side the country;
• Ensures availability of all the required documents/supplies including vehicle insurance, vehicle logs, office directory, map of the city/country, first aid kit, necessary spare parts in the assigned vehicle;
• Ensure that all relevant UNDP rules and regulations are met if involved in an accident.
   

2. Clerical duties:

• Provide support to the Project Associates in performing registry-related duties, such as photocopying    and archiving correspondence/project files;
• Distribute the project correspondence/material, mails and project documents;
• Provide logistical support to Project Associates to the organization and preparation of workshops, meetings and events, travel and accommodation arrangements for project personnel/consultants;
• Assist Project Associates in obtaining quotations for vehicle repairs/servicing;
• Be responsible for the office security;
• Maintenance of files and records relevant to the project;
• Perform minor renovation works in the project office;
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Direct supervisor: Project Manager 

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager and under overall supervision of the relevant UNDP CO Programme staff, the incumbent assists in the effective and efficient management of the project through a range of actions, including driving and administrative support management. The employee applies and promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Competencies

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 Competencies:

Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers’ needs.
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests.
• Ability to participate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management - Resource Management:    

• Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity

Administration & Operations - Registry & Correspondence Management:

• Ability to collect, register, maintain and deliver mail and UNDP pouch; ability to manage archives

Administration & Operations - Events Management (including retreats, trainings and meetings):

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

Administration & Operations - Documents and Records Management:

• Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving

Security Services - Safety Management (including Air, Road, Fire):

• Knowledge of air, road, and fire safety programmes/systems and ability to assess and identify mitigation measures
   

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Education

• Secondary Education with a valid driver’s license is required.

Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant work experience in short and long road driving with safe driving records.

Required skills

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of driving rules and regulations and skills in minor vehicle repair.
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of protocol.
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of security issues.
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Desired skills

• Experience in administrative work, preferably in an international organization is desired.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job. 
• Focuses on result for the client.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of views.

Language

• Fluency in Romanian and English is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Russian, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

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.

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