UNDP Jobs - 59196- Programme Assistant (Inclusive Growth)

Programme Assistant (Inclusive Growth)

Location :

Suva, FIJI

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

14-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

28-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

GS-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

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

Over the next three years, the Pacific Centre will seek to implement a range of regional and country level initiatives that have been designed to achieve outcomes as set out in the UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Programme (2014-2017). In doing so the initiatives will be designed to specifically address challenges faced by the Pacific island countries. The Regional Programme is aligned with UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2014-2017), and in this regard aims to support the Plan’s overarching objective of helping countries to achieve simultaneously the eradication of poverty and the significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion. The Regional Programme contributes to 4 of the 7 outcomes in the Strategic Plan and a select number of Strategic Plan outputs under each outcome.

The Pacific Centre supports the work of the UNDP Country Offices in the Pacific and implements a range of regional and sub-regional initiatives. The Pacific Centre provides on request policy advisory; technical backstopping for programme design and implementation; and knowledge management support to UNDP Country Offices in the Pacific, namely the Samoa Multi-Country Office, Fiji Multi-Country Office and PNG Country Office, as well as to Pacific Island governments, intergovernmental agencies and civil society organisations.

Against this background, the work of the Centre is organized within the framework of the Regional Programme, and its four outcomes:

Outcome 1: Growth and development are inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded;
Outcome 2: Citizen Expectations for voice, development, the rule of law and accountability are met by stronger systems of democratic governance;
Outcome 3: Countries are able to reduce the likelihood of conflict and lower the risk of natural disasters, including from climate change;
Outcome 4: Development debates and actions at all levels prioritize poverty, inequality and exclusion, consistent with our engagement principles

Inclusive Growth projects Outcome 1: Focuses on strengthening national systems and institutions so that they are better able to implement structural transformation of productive capacities that are sustainable and employment and livelihood intensive. Provides support to aid coordination and management to be place in order to measure the effectiveness of development assistance. Ensuring donor funds are used in accordance with donor procedures and monitoring progress on the implementation of donor funded projects and programmes. Supports national capacities and regional partnerships for improved access to energy, including renewable energy. Promotes regional collaboration and sharing of experiences to strengthen legal and regulatory policies and institutions to encourage sustainable management of natural resources, including extractives. Focuses on promoting financial inclusion in the Pacific.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of Inclusive Growth Team Leader, the Programme Assistant will provide an administrative support role to the Inclusive growth team in the planning and management, evaluation and monitoring and reporting of initiatives/ activities under the Project. The Programme Assistant will promote a results-oriented approach to UNDP initiatives.

Assist in the administration and implementation of programme delivery through ATLAS, adapt processes and procedure. Support to results-based management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Logistical arrangements for conferences/workshops/Forums/meetings undertaken by the Programme Teams;
Creating information packages, letters of invitation relevant to upcoming events, liaison with Foreign Affairs for conference related activities;
Assist in processing of Staff/Workshop Participants Travel Claims in line with financial procedures;
Assist in logistical arrangements for visiting missions and in obtaining visas for staff and consultants traveling to the field;
Presentation of information on the status of financial resources as required;
Trouble shooting financial issues and following up on outstanding Purchase Orders, Vouchers and other payments;
Prepare acquittal reports for cash advances;
Presentation of information/ reports for identification of areas for support and interventions.The Programme Assistant will work in close collaboration with the Inclusive Growth team and other partners for Project-related issues and delivery.

Provide support and assistance to the Programme Team in management of the team initiatives in the design, planning and management, evaluation and monitoring and reporting of initiatives as well as other key result areas that may be assigned in future:

Assist in the collection, and presentation of researched information for preparation of project concepts, draft project documents, work plans, budgets, and proposals on implementation arrangements, MOUs and contracts;
Assist in initiation of a project, entering project into Atlas;
Assisting the Programme Managers to conducted budget revision as per the agreed unit work plan;
Undertake ATLAS GL entries correcting accounting data against project;
Assist in the follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation/review/comments of/on reports;
Assist in the preparation of Unit work plan and results reporting.

Support in creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy for Programme Team initiatives.

Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas;
Assist in the analysis of information on donors, preparation of donor’s profile and database, establishment of contacts with donor counterparts;
Assist in tracking and reporting on mobilized resources;
Provide support to donor reporting.

Participate in knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Dissemination of information on the Unit activities to UN agencies, donors, & development partners;
Coordination /liaison with I-Comms teams for printers on editing and layout work of programme reports before publishing;
Coordinate post-production work for publications;
Maintaining knowledge management database for programme;
Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme;
Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Liaison with other regional centres, UNDP country offices and development partners;
Enrolling and completion of online learning courses;
Participate in Programme workshops, training and capacity development activities.

Competencies

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 project implementation.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Maintaining information and databases;
Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Implementing processes and uses products;
Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Resource Mobilization

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 revision of project document.

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;
Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

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;
Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the project and with internal and external clients;
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;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education completion 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.

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.

Language:

Fluency in English.