UN WOMEN Jobs - 56875- Markets for Change / M4C Project Associate (Open t

Markets for Change / M4C Project Associate (Open to Fiji Nationals Only)

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Suva, FIJI

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

11-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One (1) year

Languages Required :

English

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

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. In doing so, UN Member States took an historic step in accelerating the Organization’s goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

In support of this goal, UN Women works in the following thematic areas:

Expanding women’s voice, leadership and participation;
Enhancing women’s economic empowerment;
Ending violence against women and girls;
Strengthening implementation of the women, peace and security agenda; and
Making gender equality priorities central to national and local planning and budgeting.

The Markets for Change - Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Project (hereinafter referred to as the M4C PROJECT) is a six year initiative aimed at ensuring that marketplaces in rural and urban areas in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are safe, inclusive and non-discriminatory environments, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The M4C Project aims to promote the gender, social and economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors. Through the creation of representative groups in marketplaces, a focus on economic security, the strengthening of local government institutions, procedures and development approach, and the design and building of gender-responsive infrastructure, market vendors will be able to influence decision-making on market management and resource allocation, supporting the economic and social empowerment of market vendors, and the advancement of women market vendors. In Fiji, a total of ten markets will be reached over the course of the Project. Evidence to date underlines support by local government and market management.

M4C Project will use a multi-sectoral approach to build on previous work done by UN Women, and other UN agencies and partners, to strengthen the present network of market vendors, empower women market vendors and create an enabling environment for their growth. M4C will also support gender-responsive infrastructure regarding market extensions and refurbishment. For the M4C Project in Fiji, UN Women will act as the Implementing Agent and UNDP will be a Responsible Party for the delivery of Outcome 2 of the project as part of the programming for Women’s Economic Empowerment.

Under the overall guidance of the Women Economic Empowerment Regional Specialist and the direct supervision of the Fiji Project Manager, the Project Associate will be responsible for providing administrative, finance and operations support for the Fiji M4C project. She/he will support the coordination and liaison between the Fiji MCO, Solomon Island and Vanuatu M4C projects on operations and administration. The Project Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations.

The Project Associate will work in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects staff in the COs (Solomon Island and Vanuatu) and Fiji MCO staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support to management of the M4C Project;
Administrative, secretarial, financial and operational support to the M4C Project;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the M4C Project.

Provides effective support to management of the M4C Project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Support the Project in the financial management of the project;
Assist provide guidance to the M4C Project on routine implementation and tracking of financial resource;
Assist provide necessary required information to any audit requirement of the project and support implementation of audit recommendations;
Organize, compile and process information from donors, the Fiji Multi Country- Office, and project team, as inputs to various databases and documents;
Support the Project team in the tracking and reporting on mobilized resources.

Provides administrative, secretarial, financial and operational support to the M4C Project focusing on achievement of the following results:

Preparation of non-PO vouchers for M4C Project;
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
Timely corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers;
Creation of requisitions in ATLAS and budget check for requisition, registration of goods receipt in ATLAS, preparation of budget and upload of supporting document, processing payment request and preparation of ATLAS reports;
Assist in checking the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for the Project, including payment execution and monitoring payment status;
Preparation and handling the routine correspondence related to general administration, procurement, financial and personnel matters; faxes, memoranda and reports in accordance with UN Women rules and procedures;
Administrative and logistic support to organization of conferences, training workshops, retreats, missions related to M4C project activities;
Ensure all supporting documents on financial transactions are secured and properly filed;
Liaise with Field Office focal point in following up on FACE forms;
Develop an efficient filing system to keep all relevant information related to M4C;
Support the drafting of minutes, invitation letters and preparation of document for meeting and its distribution for M4C Fiji.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the M4C Project focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide support in creating knowledge hub for M4C Project;
Provide support to the facilitation / organizing of trainings for the projects staff on M4C Project;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in M4C Project;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Use UN Women MCO share point as repository site by uploading all critical documents and correspondence related to M4C projects;
Maintain copies of mission reports and prepare tracking sheet for follow up actions and document repository;
Maintain record of M4C narrative and financial reports, audits, monitoring plans, minutes, agreements, etc.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the efficiency of the Project and success in implementation of project strategies. Accurate analysis, data entry and presentation of information ensure proper project implementation. This also includes facilitating progress on effective country level M4C project inception. The post also increases the substantive contributions and visibility of UN Women in the national and local discourse on gender, livelihoods and poverty reduction.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:

Support the preparation of information for advocacy

Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:

Contributing to results through provision of information

Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Maintaining information and databases

Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives;
Maintains databases of donor information;
Tracks and reports on mobilized resources.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

Implementing processes and uses products

Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches;
Responds positively to new approaches.

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations):

Providing information for resource mobilization strategies

Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors;
Maintains database of project files;
Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Basic research and analysis

Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UN Women’s Goals:

Research and analysis

Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UN Women’s goals for a variety of audiences.

Client Orientation:

Maintains effective client relationships

Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
Responds to client needs promptly.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Creating synergies through self-control;
Managing conflict;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Work Experience:

6 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme/project working experience is required at the national or international level;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

Fluency in English is required;
Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.