UNDP Jobs - 50161- Project Associate

Project Associate

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

09-Oct-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

Community Forestry approach has been identified as one of the best models in the world for sustainable management of forest resources and livelihood improvement of the local communities. The community forest management approach recognizes that economic alternatives are necessary if communities are to stop unsustainable exploitation of forest resources. Furthermore, the approach recognizes that the communities are themselves in the best position to protect the forest from illegal or unsustainable practices.

With the financial assistance from the Government of Australia, UNDP supports Forest Department to implement Sri Lanka Community Forestry Programme since 2012. To ensure that the project work is efficiently coordinated, procurement documents are prepared and submitted in time and information from sub-national level is collected and compiled, services of a Programme Associate is envisioned in the Programme Design document.

This post will develop required documents and reports to implement and monitor the activities of the above program. It is envisaged that s/he will work closely with the relevant officials of the Forest Department and other key stakeholders under the guidance of the Project Director, Conservator of (Forests Social Forestry and Extension).

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support the development of a project operational structures under National Implementation Modality (NIM);
Support the Project Director and his staff to develop and implement progress monitoring mechanisms for the project;
Support the Project Director and his staff to implement the Operational Structures and Monitoring systems.

Support the development of a project operational structures under National Implementation Modality (NIM):

Ensure timely advance processing through the Treasury Operations for implementation of the project;
Establishment of a record keeping systems for the project in line with the best practices identified by Forest Department and UNDP;
Establishment and maintenance of a financial monitoring and reporting in line with the UNDP and Government procedures;
Support the government and UNDP auditing processes;
Any other technical assistance on administrative / finance operations related needs decided by the program, Forest Department, DFAT of Australian Government and UNDP.

Support the Project Director and his staff to develop and implement progress monitoring mechanisms for the project:

Develop monthly progress review reports as per the requirements of Forest Department, Treasury Ministry and DFAT of Australian Government;
Develop quarterly progress review reports based on the indicators identified by the monitoring and Evaluation Frame Work of the Program Design Document(PDD);
Prepare presentations and relevant reports for progress review meetings and Monitoring Missions;
Supervise the data quality and provide periodic inputs to databases necessary for progress monitoring and maintain updated data base ;
Assist the evaluation team to conduct mid-term and final evaluations as per the program evaluation plan;
Support the development of case studies and other knowledge products on participatory monitoring techniques that can be used as training aids.

Support the Project Director and his staff to implement the Operational Structures and Monitoring Systems:

Participate in steering committee meetings , progress review meetings and monitoring missions regularly and prepare relevant minutes;
Follow up actions for the steering committee decisions , progress review meetings and mission recommendations on day to day basis;
Update the project website regularly;
Asses the prepared management plans, report on necessary changes and monitoring the activities based on reported progress;
Ensure ATLAS- enterprise resource package of UNDP- related functions of the project are performed accurately and timely.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the effective and efficient achievement of results expected through the project.

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:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, and general administration;
Ability to work closely with the officials of the Forest Department.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Champions change management in dynamic situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education with certification in Forestry/Environment Science/ Environment Forestry;
Bachelor’s Degree on Forestry /Environment Science/ Environment equivalent in related field will be desirable.

Experience:

5 years of relevant 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;
Demonstrated capacity to undertake assigned responsibilities and work under pressure;
An excellent team player.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English together with knowledge of Tamil and/or Sinhala.

Open to Sri Lanka Nationals onlly.