Project Assistant - 2 vagas (Office-based)

UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) that defined UNDP Brazil priorities for the quadrennium between 2024 and 2027 is aligned with the Brazil Pluriannual Plan 2024-2027 and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 and is informed by the UNDP Strategic Plan, 2022-2025, through the application of its signature solutions and grounded in the UNDP regional vision of a three-lane road comprised of effective governance that simultaneously advances 
towards inclusion, resilience, and productivity. CPD recognizes that despite gains from earlier decades, inequalities and discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, geography, and age continue to be development challenges in Brazil. A fundamental shift in financing and action is needed to accelerate the current pace of development and achieve the 2030 Agenda. 

In light of the above and inspired by the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’, the UNDP 2024-2027 vision is to leverage sustainable development action by collaborating for structural changes in Brazil to make the society more inclusive, productive and resilient. UNDP will focus on reducing multidimensional vulnerabilities by accelerating human development capacities and capabilities. UNDP also acknowledges that strengthening women’s economic empowerment and leadership is pivotal to shifting social norms 
for gender equality—and it is an intersectional pursuit that involves addressing racial and gender prejudices that Afro-Brazilian women face. CPD defines 4 main results areas: i) economic transformation for sustainable development; ii) social inclusion for sustainable development, iii) environment and climate change for sustainable development; iv) governance and institutional capacities for sustainable development. These results areas generated through an organizational structure that includes 3 thematic cluster 
units:

• Socially Inclusive Development (People & Prosperity: poverty reduction, social policies, livelihoods, public-private partnerships, etc.).
• Environmentally Sustainable Development (Planet: environment, climate change, DRR, Montreal Protocol).
• Governance and Justice for Development (Peace: prevention of violence, justice, transparency, anti-corruption, human rights, local capacity development).

Given the imperative to support the country in the implementation of the SDGs and improve human development in the most excluded and vulnerable populations, UNDP Brazil has adopted a strategy to enhance CO presence at territorial level through establishment of an organizational unit dedicated to strengthening partnerships with Brazilian states and municipalities through 3 state level offices as well as other sub-national partnerships and initiatives.

Decentralized Cooperation and Territorial Development transversal support area aims at contributing to advance on inclusive governance and human development to achieve sustainable development –social, economic and environmental- in Brazilian States and Municipalities. The main objective is to leave no one behind at the sub-national level through the implementation of the SDGs at territorial level in line with national policies and plans and the UNDP Integrated Framework to Support Local Governance and Local Development (LGLD) as well as MAPS framework.

The Decentralized Cooperation and Territorial Development area will promote the coordination of integrated development initiatives within a given territory, taking into consideration the local political, social, cultural, geographic, economic, historic, and environmental complexities as well as opportunities to implement SDGs and accelerate their achievement. This will allow a more coherent cooperation at subnational level to be framed under a broader and integrated strategy aligned to the national level
through a territorial approach for development. AUNDP Brazil strategy for decentralized cooperation will further guide this function and its priorities (geographical and thematic).

To enable the implementation of projects under the Decentralized Cooperation and Territorial Development portfolio, the Project Assistant will provide – under the supervision of the Project Coordinator of the Bahia Office, and general guidance of the Territorial Development and Decentralized Cooperation Advisor - logistical and administrative support to DIM and NIM projects in the state of Bahia and other states, as assigned to him/her.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator of the Bahia State Project Office, and general guidance of the Territorial Development and Decentralized Cooperation Advisor, the Project Assistant will be responsible to support activitiesrelated to the implementation ofthe territorial development portfolio, especially the project portfolio of Bahia State office, in the modalities of direct execution and support to national execution, in particular (but not limited to) to the following activities:

1. Provide administrative and operational support in project implementation, including assistance in managing project financial resources, Human Resource Management, efficient procurement and logistics services, including drafting of Terms of Reference, participation in consultant selection panels; travel arrangements, logistical support for workshops and other meetings as assigned by the project manager, maintain up-to-date files and records of project documentation; 
2. Support planning, monitoring and evaluation activities, in coordination with the Project Manager, including daily follow-up with project partners and donors, to ensure smooth administrative and operational activities of the project; 
3. Carry out project-related transactions on the Quantum Platform, including drafting project reviews, as per the project assistant profile; 
4. Support the preparation and submission of progress reports, donor reports, project reviews, financial reports, audit reports and any other required project reports, organization of project reviews/tripartite meetings, also supporting the follow-up of project audit issues. 
5. Provide support in selection processes for signing Letters of Agreement, as well as perform activities related to monitoring LoAs;
6. Assist in HR processes related to recruitment and selection, including extensions and project extensions. 

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

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

Business Management / Results-based  Management:

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Business Management / Partnerships Management:

• Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Administration & Operations / Documents and records management:

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

Finance Budget / Management:

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

Finance / Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. 
• Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. 
• Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance. 

Procurement Contract / Management:

• Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Secondary education is required. 
• University Degree (bachelor´s degree) in Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, Economics or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Minimum years of relevant professional experience:

• Minimum of 4 years (with secondary education) or 1 year (with bachelor´s degree) of practical and relevant work experience in administration, support to the management and implementation of technical cooperation projects, with preference in Territorial Development and Decentralized Cooperation and/or local contexts.

Required Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Skills in utilizing management systems.
• Advanced knowledge of the Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Power Point.

Desired skills, in addition to the skills covered in the Skills section:

• Experience working in the public sector, especially in government entities; 
• Experience in the United Nations system; 
• Experience in monitoring activities related to contracts, projects and/or agreements; 
• Experience with methods of organization, recording information, producing reports and other project management documents; 
• Experience in working with Information Management and/or Business Intelligence (BI).

Required languages:

• Fluency in Portuguese is required.
• Basic English is desirable
   

Professional Certificates:

• CIPS Level 1 will be considered 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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