UNDP Jobs - 51921- Project Assistant, "Support to Kazakhstan to deliv

Project Assistant, "Support to Kazakhstan to deliver development assistance to countries in Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean through capacity building trainings to young professionals", UNDP (only for Kazakhstan citizens)

Location :

Astana, KAZAKHSTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-2

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English Russian

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

For many years Kazakhstan has been providing official development and humanitarian assistance, helping various countries in the Central Asian region and beyond. To promote peace and security, Kazakhstan has provided an estimated $100 million worth of humanitarian and development aid to other countries so far. To strengthen its role as an emerging donor, Kazakhstan wants to systematize and professionalize its efforts and align official development assistance with the priorities of its foreign policy. The country is working to create the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development. To do so Kazakhstan is working to expand the geographical and thematic dimensions, types and formats of technical assistance to the countries in need.

In particular, Kazakhstan, as a facilitator of knowledge exchange, may offer expertise in coal, oil and gas mining, urban sanitation, production of wheat, arid land irrigation, sustainable transport management, corporate planning and information technology.
For this end the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter, MFA) and UNDP in Kazakhstan agreed to partner and implement a joint project aimed at developing and implementing a Partnership Program to deliver capacity building and professional training to young professionals, postgraduates, and master’s degree students in a number of countries of Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean.
The project will provide support to the Government of Kazakhstan to design and implement a Partnership Program between governments, academic institutions, and corporations of Kazakhstan and countries in Africa, Oceania and the Caribbean. It is aimed at enhancing the development of important economic sectors in the recipient countries through improved capacity of professionals in these countries. The project will develop a comprehensive Partnership Program based on rapid needs assessments in the recipient countries and ensure access to the best available knowledge and practice within Kazakhstan’s institutions. The Program will be completed through a number of capacity building models like university courses, internships, short-term thematic trainings, field trainings, study etc. - all supported with relevant educational and training materials and recommended readings. This Program will seek to efficiently match the sectoral development targets, capacity needs, and educational gaps in recipient countries with available opportunities in Kazakhstan through improved professional training of individual nominees.

For implementation of this project UNDP hires a project team, with a Project Manager (PM) leading the team. The Project Assistant (PA) will provide administrative and other support for the Project Manager and other project staff, if any, and short-term consultants. PA will be under the direct supervision of the PM, as well as under the general oversight of the Head of the UNDP Strategic Support Unit.
The Project Assistant will work under direct supervision of the Project Manager providing support in the implementation of everyday activities of the Project team. The day-to-day responsibilities of the Assistant will concentrate on administrative, financial and operational issues within the realms of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibility of the Assistant will include:

Procurement:
- Development of a plan and monitoring of procurements for every year according to UNDP rules and procedures
- 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

Financial management of the project:
- Preparation of budget revisions of the project as minimum once a year
- Preparation of documents for payment in accordance with SOP; create non-PO vouchers in Atlas
- 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

Administrative support:
- Preparation of travel requests for the employees of the Project, Executive Partner and UNDP in accordance with UNDP specified order and format
- Solution of organizational issues on reservation and acquisition of tickets and others; Securing visa support, arrangement of transport and accommodation in a hotel and etc. for the trainees
- Support in preparation of short-term contracts in accordance with UNDP requirements and procedures and exercising control over observance of contract terms and periods
- Assistance to PM in keeping close contacts with the Implementing 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 and organization of meetings
- 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
- Organization of the process on preparation and logistics of workshops, working meetings, delegations, field expeditions and etc.
- As required, preparation of basic materials to use during presentations, workshops and briefings
- 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.
- Carry out other project-related tasks assigned by the direct supervisor

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the successful implementation 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.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrating ethics and integrity
- 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:

Development and Operational Effectiveness:
- Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to project management including screening and collecting of project documentation, entering project data in relevant online system, supporting revisions, filing, provision of information

Leadership and Self-Management:
- Ability to organize work efficiently and deal with a heavy workload
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Teamwork:
- Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and under time constraints

Communication:
- Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Bachelor degree in any discipline of the field of accounting, financial management or business administration, international relations, or any other relent field. Master’s degree would be an added advantage.

Work Experience:
- At least 3 years of relevant administrative and/or financial experience on a national or international level.
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- Previous experience in projects related to organization of the capacity building trainings and logistics related to travel organization for bigger groups would be an advantage.
- Experience in financial management, preferably of development projects and in liaising and cooperating with government officials, NGOs, media, academia would be an advantage.
- 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

!IMPORTANT INFORMATION

How to apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through this site by clicking "APPLY NOW" button. Please ensure that you upload your UN Personal History Form-P11 (on the 2nd page of the application by selecting "UPLOAD RESUME" option).

Incomplete applications will not be given consideration. Please note that only short-listed applications will be contacted.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.