UNDP Jobs - 48374- Field Project Associate

Field Project Associate

Location :

Anuradhapura/Puttlam, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

08-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

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 Governance for Local Economic Development Programme (GLED)-Support to District Development Programme (SDDP) will serve as one of UNDP’s umbrella delivery programme for strengthening local governance capacities and improving socio-economic opportunities in identified vulnerable regions of the country in partnership with the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs.

The Project GLED/SDDP will comprise of 4 main outputs:

Vulnerable Groups enabled to engage in sustainable local economic development initiatives;
Local level governance institutions plan and manage service delivery with increased effectiveness and inclusiveness;
Policy makers and development partners have an increased knowledge on good practices and lessons learned on local economic development and local governance to policy decisions;
Vulnerable communities have increased skills and ability to participate in local governance activities.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Programme Manager (GLED/SDDP) and direct supervision of the Field Project Specialist (FPS), the Field Project Associate will be responsible for ensuring smooth implementation of the GLED/SDDP Programme. Overall, this will be achieved by providing support to the Governance Specialist by networking and mobilizing the community involvement in the project with the District and Divisional Governance machinery. The Field Project Associate will help promote a client-oriented, qualitative and results-based approach.

The incumbent will assist the Field Project Specialist and the Governance Specialist, to ensure consistent service delivery within the established UNDP rules and regulations. S/He will work in close liaison with the Team in the Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) of GLED/SDDP as needed, and other Field based project staff to build and maintain strong working relationships. S/He would also be required to maintain good rapport with project partners, including vendors and contractors in the respective area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support the preparation of the Project’s strategies and work-plans;
Support Project implementation and monitoring;
Support resource mobilization;
Support the Project’s institutional capacity building;
Support communication and knowledge management.

Supports formulation of programme strategies and the work plans focusing on achievement of the following results:

Collection, analysis and presentation of information for identification of areas for support and programme formulation/ implementation;
Facilitate Governance for Local Economic Development Programme (GLED/SDDP) stakeholder consultative processes and gather data feeding into the preparation of Project strategies and work-plans;
Analyze information and help to prepare relevant planning instruments and product;
Support the FPS on activities at the district level, including facilitating consultations with the Government Agent and relevant partners and with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of GLED/SDDP in the Country Office.

Support Project implementation and monitoring focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Assist the FPS in project implementation and monitor activities relating to Governance for Local Economic Development Programme;
Networking and mobilizing the community involvement in the project with the District and Divisional Governance machinery;
Coordinate the timely submission of progress reports by FPS and assist with data entry, and the preparation of charts, graphs, and periodic progress reports;
Support and facilitate external evaluations, advocacy and knowledge sharing fore, training programmes, audits, donor assessments and missions.

Support resource mobilization focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Assist in preparing Project proposals and budgets with information from the field;
Review agreements/proposals, track the use of project resources, follow-up on progress and assist FPS monitor expected results at the field levels.

Support the Project’s institutional capacity building focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Assist with synthesis of lessons learnt and creating a data base on same and best practices in programme;
Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Support communication and knowledge management in the Project Office focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Participation in the training for the Project staff on administration and Programme matters;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

Impact of Results

The key results achieved at the Project Office will support a consultative planning process for the GLED/SDDP project in the District and effective implementation of project work plans, in close consultation and collaboration with Government and other development partners. Accurate presentation of information strengthens the capacity of the office and enhances the image of the Project Office as an effective contributor to the development of the country.

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, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Substantial knowledge of Socio-Economic Development in the district/s and province;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Ability to contribute to the formulation of project work plans, assist in the implementation and monitoring, and facilitate evaluation of development projects;
Ability to assist the FPS to build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices inside and outside UNDP;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Pro-activeness and application of experience in the day-do-day work;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education preferably with specialized certification in Development studies, Accounting, Economics, HR or Finance.

Experience:

5 years of relevant administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
Experience building and maintaining partnerships with Government, other development partners and the private sector;
Experience working in the District or similar regions in Sri Lanka;
Demonstrated capacity to undertake assigned responsibilities and work under pressure;
An excellent team player.

Language:

Demonstrates strong oral and written English communication skills, along with Tamil and/or Sinhala;
Tri-lingual candidates will have an advantage.