Rationale:

Kazakhstan is the largest GHG emitter in Central Asia with annual emissions of 243 MtCO2e. The transport sector is its fastest growing source of CO2 emissions projected to increase from 9 MtCO2/yr in 2008 up to 22 MtCO2/yr in 2012 and 36 MtCO2/yr in 2020 (data source TNC of RK to UNFCCC, 2005). A significant share of transport emissions is associated with ground transportation in the former capital city of Almaty, the largest and most densely populated city in the country with a population of 1.6 million.  Its population is expected to exceed the 2 million threshold in the next 3 to 5 years. 

In Almaty, there are currently more than 500,000 vehicles registered. According to local authorities, there is an average of another 200,000 vehicles that enter the city from outlying Almaty Oblasts during working hours.  Based on motor vehicle growth trends of other cities of Europe and Central Asia, further increases in private car ownership are expected in Almaty.  The viable alternative to private cars should be public transport. 
The objective of the project is to reduce the growth of the transport-related greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Almaty, while simultaneously improving urban environmental conditions by 1) improving the management of public transportation and air quality in Almaty; 2) building capacity in Almaty to holistically plan and implement improvements in the efficiency and quality of public transport; 3) building capacity to holistically plan and implement integrated traffic management measures in Almaty City; and 4) implementing a demonstration project that raises awareness and increases knowledge of sustainable transport.

The project will support achievement of GEF-4 Strategic objective-CC 5: Promoting Sustainable Innovative Systems for Urban Transport with a particular emphasis on “non-technology” options, such as planning, traffic management and modal shift to low-GHG intensive transport modes.  The global objectives of CAST will be to facilitate GHG reductions through these modal transport shifts.  As a consequence, urban mobility will improve through the use of efficient transport modes of lower carbon intensity and increased fuel efficiency of a modernized bus fleet.

FUNCTIONS
Summary of Key Functions:
The Project Assistant will provide support to the Project Manager (PM) in implementation of everyday activities under the Project and will work under direct supervision of Project Manager. The Assistant will be responsible for all administrative (contractual, organizational and logistics) issues and the issues related to procurement (procurement of services and goods, payments, accounting, cash management and others).

The duties and responsibility of the Assistant will include:

 

1. Procurement:
• Development of a plan and monitoring of procurements for every year according to UNDP format;
• Collection and systematization of the information on potential suppliers of services/goods;
• Ensuring tender selection of the supplier of services/goods in accordance with UNDP requirements and procedures;
• Preparation of motivations on the selected supplier of services/goods for consideration by the UNDP procurement committee;
• Support in preparation of short-term contracts in accordance with UNDP requirements and procedures and exercising control over observance of contract terms and periods;

2. Financial management of the project:
• Preparation of documents for payment in accordance with SOP; create non-PO vouchers in Atlas
• Preparation of budget revisions of the project as minimum once a year;
• Monitoring of project expenditures in accordance with the work plan and UNDP procedures;
• As necessary,  preparation of cash advance requests and securing of reporting in accordance with UNDP procedures;

 

3. Other support:
• Assistance to PM in keeping close contacts with the Executive Partner, UNDP, the project partners and other organizations by means of direct contacts, collection of information and proposals, registration of incoming and outgoing correspondence, preparation of draft letters;
• Keeping the catalogue of archive data, inclusion of all data on contracts, reports and etc. into it, revision and updating of them in an established format for subsequent use;
• Development of a catalogue of materials on monitoring of the project and project activities (correspondence, reports, budget and financial expenses) in accordance with UNDP requirements;
• Keeping an inventory list on provision separate expert with project equipment and their responsibility for it and monitoring of the equipment use;
• Preparation of unofficial translations and as required, acting as an interpreter. 

Impact of Results
The key results have an impact on the success development of the project. Accurate presentation of information, thoroughly and fully documented work strengthens the capacity of the project and facilitates subsequent action by the supervisor.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES
Knowledge Management and Learning
-Shares knowledge and experience
-Provides helpful feedback and advice to others in the office
-Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
Leadership and Self-Management
-Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
-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 different points of view
MANAGING CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS
-Edits, formats and provides inputs to correspondence, reports, documents and/or presentations using work processing, spreadsheets and databases meeting quality standards and requiring minimal correction
-Shows sound grasp of grammar, spelling and structure in the required language
-Ensures correspondence, reports and documents comply with established UN standards
-Ability to produce accurate and well documented records conforming to the required standard
OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, PLANNING, ORGANIZING AND MULTI-TASKING
-Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints
-Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations
-Ability to operate and maintain a variety of computerized business machines and office equipment in order to provide efficient delivery of service
-Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities
-Plans, coordinates and organises workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines
-Demonstrates ability to quickly shift from one task to another to meet multiple support needs
-Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to facilitate the provision of support
RESPONSIBILITIES
-coordination and reporting of any actions to Project Manager;
-provide on-time and quality performance of the requirements under ToR.;
-provide absolute fulfillment of the requirements stated in the Service Contract;

Education: 
• At least Bachelor degree in the field of accounting, financial management, international relations or business administration etc.)

Work Experience: 
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in administrative and/or financial support of office operating within international or foreign projects or organizations.
• Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel and 
• PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of UNDP procurement and administrative procedures will be an added advantage

Language requirements: 
• Fluent spoken and written Russian, good English;
• Knowledge of Kazakh is preferred