UNCDF Jobs - 50294- Project Assistant - UNCDF / Joint Programme on Loc

Project Assistant - UNCDF / Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year (with possibility of extension)

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 Programme is aligned to the programming frameworks of the Somaliland Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) 2008-12, the Somali Compact and the ongoing PFM reforms in Somalia spear headed by the World Bank and other development partners. The UN JPLG is also in line with the UNCDF Corporate Strategy and the Business Plan of the Local Development Finance Practice for 2014-2017.

The JPLG is envisaged to achieve as wide coverage in Somalia as resources and conditions allow with a comprehensive approach to assist local governments to be credible, professional service providers, increasing public investment in basic services, and strengthening civic awareness and participation in local decision-making and development.

The strategy pursued comprises:

Policy and legal frameworks for decentralization, local government, service provision and land management;
Institutionalizing local government systems, vertical and horizontal inter-government linkages and civic education initiatives;
Investment in public services and goods through testing a Local Development Fund model, direct service provision and promotion of public-private partnerships;
Processes and systems for housing, land and property disputes and resolution.

The overall programmatic scope of JPLG II remains largely unchanged, but places greater emphasis on promoting legislative reforms, institutionalizing innovations introduced during Phase I, expanding to more districts, especially in the Federal Government of Somalia region (South Central Somalia), and strengthening the management of the Programme. As before, JPLG II makes concerted efforts to address human rights, gender and women in local government, and good governance principles of transparency, accountability and civic participation.

In the framework of JPLG I UNCDF/JPLG plays a vital role in designing and implementing the Local Development Fund mechanism for Somalia, following its experiences with Local Development Programmes, Local Development funds and fiscal decentralization in Least Developed Countries. The LDF is perceived as a key mechanism to enhance sustainable and responsive social service delivery in Somalia, and provides a space for capacity building, piloting of systems and procedures, comprehensive planning at local level and accountability measures; ultimately leading to a formalized fiscal decentralization system in Somalia.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Officer, the Project Assistant provides administrative support to the JPLG, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work for the Local Governance project. The Project Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

S/he will have functional work relations with colleagues of the UNCDF team of the JPLG, UN colleagues, UNDP Country Office staff, UNCDF Regional Office, as well as with the national Government counterparts in Somalia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Implementation of operational strategies for UNCDF’s contribution to the JPLG while working closely with UNDP Human Resources, Client Services and Finance at the UNDP Support Service Centre and with the Support Services Unit at UNCDF Regional Office;
Accounting and administrative support for UNCDF’s contribution to the JPLG , under the guidance of the UNCDF CTA, in cooperation with the UNDP Finance Unit and in close cooperation with the project staff in the field;
Contribution to management of the UNCDFs contribution to the JPLG;
Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Ensures implementation of operational strategies for UNCDF’s contribution to the JPLG while focusing on achievement of the following results:

Assist project staff in the field with administrative matters;
Provide necessary administrative support related to the administration of UNCDF’s contribution to the JPLG including human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, performance appraisal, job classification reviews etc.;
Organize workshops and provide logistical support for project staff and key stakeholders as required.

Ensures accounting and administrative support for UNCDF’s contribution to the JPLG focusing on achievement of the following results:

Analyze and verify invoices for payments, raise payment requisitions and follow-up PO payments with Regional office, ensuring proper control and full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP/UNCDF rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
Prepare vouchers and follow-up on dispatch of payments;
Ensure existence of an adequate and retrievable filing system for all UNCDF / JPLG documents including soft and hard copies;
Attend UNCDF project team meetings, take minutes and distribute as appropriate and file agreements;
Ensure consistency in the application of UN/UNDP/UNCDF rules and procedures;
Manage UNCDF travel requests, travel payments including processing F10 claims and proper documentation of Back to Office Reports and follow-ups on actions required.

Provides effective support to management of the UNCDFs contribution to the JPLG focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Prepare projects/programmes budget revisions;
Provide inputs to the development of UNCDFs AWP activities and subsequent reviews;
Provide support to UNCDF and JPLG Audits/ Reviews/ Assessments as deemed necessary.

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in UNDP and UNCDF focusing on achievement of the following results:

Participate in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on finance organized by either UNCDF or UNDP;
Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the implementation of UNCDF’s contribution to the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG), through support to all administrative and operational aspects of the implementation.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, effective operations, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.

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;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Administration, Accounting and Finance;
University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political or Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible project administrative, financial and organizational management 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;
Proven experience using the PeopleSoft / Atlas Enterprise Resource System in financial management is a distinct advantage;
Work experience with UN organizations; experience in logistical support functions is desirable.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English.

Terms of Service

This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a Service Contract serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.