Project Assistant

Background

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. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

The “Amplifying Blue Economy Growth through Enhanced Blue Carbon and Financing Profiling” project addresses the critical challenge of mitigating climate change and fostering sustainable development through the conservation and utilization of blue carbon ecosystems in ASEAN countries and Timor- Leste. These ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses, and peatlands, are powerful carbon sinks but are rapidly degrading due to urbanization, pollution, and climate change. Despite their potential to sequester carbon 35 times faster than tropical rainforests and support biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal resilience, their full potential remains underutilised.
Key barriers include limited technical expertise to measure the carbon content in seagrass and mangrove ecosystems, insufficient financial mechanisms, and gaps in policy integration regarding blue carbon and blue financing within each country. Coastal communities, particularly women and marginalized groups, are among the most affected by ecosystem degradation, as they face challenges to their livelihoods and increased vulnerability to disasters. Timely and effective intervention is

essential to support ASEAN in achieving its climate targets, including the ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The project tackles these challenges by enhancing technical capacities, developing financing instruments, and integrating blue carbon strategies into national and regional frameworks, unlocking economic, environmental, and social benefits while promoting poverty reduction and inclusive development. Actively addressing climate change impacts in the blue sector will also enhance the overall security of the region, including from potential climate related security threats such as resources scarcity, and climate induced displacements
The objectives of this project are: 1) to support ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste in developing Blue Carbon Profiles in the 11 countries by utilizing technologies that can measure carbon stock in seagrass beds and peatlands, contributing to the enhancement of their NDCs; 2) to develop 11 Blue Finance Profiles for ASEAN and Timor Leste, setting a foundation for a regional carbon market and fostering the growth of the blue economy in the region; and 3) to build a network of experts, including at least 30% of women experts, to encourage collaboration and facilitate knowledge-sharing among universities and/or research institutions in the region, while also showcasing project progress in Japan, including at the World Expo in Osaka during 2025.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

a.    Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:
•     Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific project and related topics or issues.
•     Implement project standard operating procedures in line with the government and UNDP’s regulations;
•      Reviews project documents for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval.

b.    Support to the effective reporting on progress of project implementation
•    Support the administration in preparing annual and quarterly work plans as well as project board meetings, audit, operational and financial closure of a project.
•    Support to the preparation of quarterly project reports, in line with the monitoring and reporting guidelines and presents it to the project assurance team on a timely manner;
•    To provide administrative support for preparation of results oriented progress reports

c.    Provides administrative support to the Project Management Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:
•    Support the focal point for Administrative and office coordination of project implementation activities to process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, security compliance, etc.
•    Provision of general office assistance such as response to simple information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; establishment of filling system and maintenance files/records; organization of meetings, workshops; routine administrative tasks, including maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing, etc.
•    Effective implementation of operations policies for gender sensitive approach at the project level

d.    Support strategic partnerships, communication and support to the implementation of resource mobilization
•    Support in updating contact lists of the relevant public and development partners private sector, civil society and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the project;
•    In coordination with UNDP’s Communication unit and other relevant counterpart communications department, support documentation of the project activities as a tool to communicate results, deepen stakeholder knowledge and buy-in to the project, and resource mobilization for the project.

e.    Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:
•    Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff.
•    Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice
•    Effective contribution to learning and knowledge sharing in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming.

f.    The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that:
•    Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
•    Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
•    Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
•    Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
•    Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
•    Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.
 

Institutional Arrangement

This position is under supervision of National Project Coordinator and overall guidance from the ASEAN Blue Carbon Project Team. S/he will support the Project Associate in the implementation of the activities in level of Project Management Unit (PMU).
 

Competencies

Core
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

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements : Bachelor degree in accounting, finance management, business or public administration, and relevant social science would be preferable High school degree with additional 5 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Bachelor degree
 

Min. years of relevant work experience
•    Minimum 5 years of for candidate with high school degree or minimum 2 years for candidate with bachelor degree of relevant project/administrative experience ; preferably in the field of development
•    Relevant experience in administrative/ financial/ procurement/asset management and project activities would be necessary
•    Knowledge of and experience in supporting administration of environmental projects will be highly desirable.
•    Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).
 

Required skills

•    Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN;
•    Demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and beliefs which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of different opinions and views;
•    Good inter-personal and communications skills.
•    Up-to-date computer skills required, knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
•    Ability to work in a team
 

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

•    Fully computer literate (MS Office), experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc)
•    Full time availability for project management support duties is essential;
•    Experience work with Government and UN/UNDP procedures would be desirable.
•    Experience    in    collecting,    analyzing,    and    summarizing administration report
•    Experience in managing online meeting platforms, documentation of paperwork database, photos, and archiving system.
 

Required Language(s)    
•    Good in written and spoken English is required;
•    Fluency in written and spoken Bahasa Indonesia is required.

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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