UNDP Jobs - 42051- Project Assistant, Planning Commission

Project Assistant, Planning Commission – UNDP Project, Strengthening Capacities for Decentralised Planning, (Open to Indian Nationals only)

Location :

New Delhi, Planning Commission, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Dec-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (renewable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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.

Background

The Government of India – UNDP project “Strengthening Capacities for Decentralised Planning” is being implemented by the Planning Commission in partnership with State governments. The project is envisaged in the context of the 12^th Five Year Plan goal of faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth. It is designed to strengthen capacities of government and other actors involved in development planning at local level for improving quality, effectiveness and outreach of development programmes.

A key outcome of the United Nations Development Action Framework (UNDAF) 2013-2017 is “to ensure that governance systems are more inclusive, accountable, decentralised and programme implementation more effective for the realization of rights of marginalized groups, especially women and children”. The UNDAF places emphasis on participation of all stakeholders, particularly those belonging to SCs, STs, other disadvantaged groups and women in the national development process. It also underscores the strategic importance of specialized knowledge, capacity development approaches and experience on issues relating to decentralization, strengthening local governments, local planning and community monitoring.

Directly contributing to the above-mentioned India UNDAF outcome, the project will focus on providing support to the States for strengthening Decentralized District Planning and implementation systems and processes as per the priorities areas identified by the States themselves. The project support will be catalytic in nature and leverage existing resources already available at the State levels. The project will strengthen the content of planning and help improve implementation in select districts/Blocks to better address MDGs and national priorities such as inclusive growth and improved delivery of basic services. Issues of gender and social inequalities will be focused upon. The process will be made more participatory and inclusive of the priorities of poor women and men, especially from SC/ST and minority communities. Further, the project will work towards greater integration of planning and implementation process across PRIs and line departments as well as vertically from village to district levels.

The project will be implemented at the national level and in identified States covered under the United Nations Development Action Framework (UNDAF).

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide Administrative Assistance as follows:

Assisting in organization of workshops, seminars, Project Steering Committee meetings and other events as would be required through project implementation;
Processing payments of vendors;
Making administrative and travel arrangements for project staff and other personnel for project visits and participation in national/international events as required;
Processing travel claims of staff and other personnel as necessary;
Assisting in preparation of legal documents for award of contracts for different project assignments as necessary;
Assisting in procurement of office materials;
Maintaining project assets/inventory and preparing reports as required;
Managing routine office and administration functions such as maintenance of project files, documents, correspondence and communications including compliance with Planning Commission’s systems and protocols.

Support Financial Management of the Project which includes:

Operating the UNDP Financial Accounting System (ATLAS) for preparation of vouchers for the project (including the processing of vendor creation and settling of travel claims), maintenance of the internal expenditure control system, creation of requisitions in the system, making budget checks in the system
Prepare monthly expenditure statement;
Prepare quarterly and annual expenditure reports and other financial reports for submission to the Planning Commission and UNDP;
Maintaining the internal expenditures control system,
Creating requisitions in the system and make budget checks in the system;
Conducting financial monitoring of contracts and bringing to notice of the Project Manager issues needing attention;
Collecting and collating relevant financial information from partners and preparing FACE forms (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures) for due approvals;
Preparing and presenting project information for project audits;
Facilitating the audit process in States.

Support the Project Manager in following up with project partners on financial and progress reports.

Liaise with UNDP Operations on project issues.

Prepare the CDR on quarterly basis and submit it for approval of Planning Commission.

Perform any other tasks assigned from time to time by the National Project Director or the Project Manager.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures:

Demonstrates good knowledge of accounting and in-depth understanding of accounting principles and its utility in work assignment;
Identifies new and better approaches to work process and incorporates same in own work;
Demonstrates ability to work independently and in team;
Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Intra-Internet, e-mail applications etc. Advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages,
Demonstrates ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks.
Ability to work independently to fulfill assigned tasks.

Database Management:

Uses information/databases/other management systems;
Provides inputs to the development of simple system components;
Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems;
Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Intra-Internet, e-mail applications etc. Knowledge of other applications such as Front Page, Publisher and some multimedia tools would be useful.

Communication Skills:

Good oral and written skills;
Good drafting skills;
Good interpersonal skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree;
Any additional certification in Accounting and Finance is an asset.

Experience:

At least 3 relevant years of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required at the national level; preferably in international organizations and/or Government institutions
Experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

Excellent command in spoken and written English;
Excellent command in spoken and written Hindi.