Project Associate

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^[1] 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.^[2] 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%).^[3] 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.^[4]

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 Project Associate in close cooperation with the project team, under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, will ensure the efficient administration of the Project assigned, as well as support the Project Managers in Project implementation and reporting. 

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Project Associate during the assignment will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Assist in efficient delivery of the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Undertake administrative, logistical, travel, procurement, financial and asset management tasks in full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and policies;
• Provide support to procure goods and services required by the project, in liaison with the relevant staff and units of UNDP Country Office;
• Provide administrative support in arranging project related meetings when needed;
• Participate in the preparation of work plans, operation plans and procurement plans and periodical reviews thereof;
• Provide support in quality control of the project activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery;
• Maintain an appropriate filing system and documenting the implementation to enable further operational and financial closure of the project;
• Provide support in regular monitoring and data collection of the project activities in accordance with work plan and procurement plan;
• Provide general secretarial and administrative assistance to the project in close liaison with UNDP teams and other UN agencies.

Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapt processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Full compliance with respective UNDP and donor rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; 
• Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system;
• Personal initiative to perform daily work timely, efficiently, and in compliance with established rules and plans;
• Keep abreast of UNDP rules and regulations in the area of responsibility and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning; 
• Provide regular updates to the Project Manager and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately.

Provide financial support to the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assist the project team in drafting project progress reports with financial data;
• Assist project management in performing budget cycle: planning, preparation, revisions, and budget execution;
• Provide assistance to partner agencies involved in Project activities, performing and monitoring financial aspects to ensure compliance with budgeted costs in line with established policies and procedures; 
• Monitor project expenditures, ensuring that no expenditure is incurred before it has been authorized;
• Perform preparatory work for mandatory and general budget revisions, annual physical inventory, auditing; and assist external evaluators in fulfilling their mission;
• Ensure that all project financial activities are carried out on schedule and within budget to achieve the project outputs;
• Perform all other financial related duties, upon request.
• Ensure timely submission of financial reports to the UNDP Country Office to verify the accuracy of such reports for the national partner or donor;
• Perform all other financial related duties, upon request.

Provide operations support to the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure that UNDP procurement rules are followed during procurement activities that are carried out by the project and maintain responsibility for the inventory of the project assets;
• Organization of procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their preliminary evaluation, note-to-files and justifications in cooperation with the UNDP Operations Unit;
• Coordination of surveys, DSA, travel agencies, organization of common services and other administrative surveys; 
• Prepare and timely submit travel documents in accordance with UNDP requirements;
• Support with protocol matters, registration of staff, coordination with national partners on space and other administrative matters;
• Compile, organize and file information and documents for reference and use by team members;
• Preparation of documents set for vendor creation;
• Ensure proper control of the supporting documents for payments;
• Prepare and timely submit payment requests with proper support documentation to the UNDP Country Office; 
• Provide financial monitoring over project commitments and expenditures and assist the Programme Manager in assuring proper project delivery;
• Keep regular contact with project experts and consultants to inform them about the project details and changes; 
• Control the usage and proper accounting of non-expendable equipment (record keeping, drawing up regular inventories), inventories and materials;  
• Provide necessary administrative, financial and logistical support to the project events, including among other workshops, seminars, working meetings and visits of national and international delegations (visa support, transportation, hotel accommodation etc.); 
• Keep files of project documents and expert reports and ensure general circulation of documents for knowledge management and sharing; 
• Act on telephone inquiries, fax, post and e-mail transmissions, and co-ordinate appointments;
• Provide translation of documents for/to English/Russian/Romanian as required;
• Draft project correspondence and documents; finalize correspondence of administrative and financial nature; edit reports and other documents for correctness of form and content as required;
• Assist in collection, preparation and submission of support documents for NPSA contracts extensions.

Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building 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;
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

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 will execute the duties and responsibilities outlined above under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager.

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 & Technical Competencies

• Operations Management:    
  • Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee the organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
• 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.
• 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.
• Budget Management:     
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
• Procurement Management:    
  • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source. 
• Documents and Records Management:   
  • Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, Economics, or related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with University Degree) of relevant experience in administrative work, accounting/finance, economics, or in development assistance.

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 of web-based management systems.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in providing effective logistical support;
• Experience in project or financial administration; 
• Proven experience in a similar position in UNDP or other UN Agencies; 
• Experience in development assistance or related work for a development organization, consulting company, or NGO.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required. 
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian or Gagauzian, or 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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