Background

Job Title: Project District Field Clerk

Type: SC-4

Project Title: UNDP/GEF Project (PIMS 4649): Reducing pressures on natural resources from competing land use in non-irrigated arid mountain, semi-desert and desert landscapes of Uzbekistan

Duration of the assignment: 6 months with possible extension (subject to satisfactory performance)

Work status (full time / part time): Part time

Duty station: Jizzakh Region (Zamin district)

Reports To:  Project Manager

The project is designed to support the improved, more sustainable and more resilient land use management of non- irrigated arid desert, steppe and mountain landscapes of Uzbekistan, which constitute the vast majority of its territory, and reduce competitive pressures between different land uses, particularly pasture use and forestry. It will facilitate the up-scaling of existing best practices for land management within two ecologically and socio-economically representative districts (Zaamin and Karakul) and provide a model for undertaking district level integrated land use planning. On the basis of experiences on the ground it will support the updating and refinement of relevant national policy, legislation and institutions and mechanisms for improved national coordination and planning for integrated land use management. An important part of these intentions of the project is broad activities of national consultants on the ground in the pilot districts.

In this context, the project needs to establish local offices in each of the pilot districts. One of such project office is active in Zamin district of Djizakh region and one in Karakul district of Bukhara region, created to support national consultants’ activities, to provide organization of the work in the project office by the khokimiyats of Zamin and Karakul districts and to represent the project interests and aims on the ground. For local managing of the project office in Karakul district, the project hires a Project District Field Clerk for this district.

The Project District Field Clerk will be locally recruited based on an open competitive process. He/She will be responsible for the representing the interests of the project in the project target district. The Project Field Clerk will report to the Project Manager. The whole work will be performed in tigh collaboration with National Technical Coordinator.

The project is designed to support the improved, more sustainable and more resilient land use management of non- irrigated arid desert, steppe and mountain landscapes of Uzbekistan, which constitute the vast majority of its territory, and reduce competitive pressures between different land uses, particularly pasture use and forestry. It will facilitate the up-scaling of existing best practices for land management within two ecologically and socio-economically representative districts (Zaamin and Karakul) and provide a model for undertaking district level integrated land use planning. On the basis of experiences on the ground it will support the updating and refinement of relevant national policy, legislation and institutions and mechanisms for improved national coordination and planning for integrated land use management. An important part of these intentions of the project is broad activities of national consultants on the ground in the pilot districts.

In this context, the project needs to establish local offices in each of the pilot districts. One of such project office is active in Zamin district of Djizakh region and one in Karakul district of Bukhara region, created to support national consultants’ activities, to provide organization of the work in the project office by the khokimiyats of Zamin and Karakul districts and to represent the project interests and aims on the ground. For local managing of the project office in Zamin district, the project hires a Project District Field Clerk for this district.

The Project District Field Clerk will be locally recruited based on an open competitive process. He/She will be responsible for the representing the interests of the project in the project target district. The Project Field Clerk will report to the Project Manager. The whole work will be performed in tigh collaboration with National Technical Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Liaison and coordination support with district authorities and other counterparts:

  • To ensure district level counterparts, particularly the district Khokimiyat, are kept up to date on project activities, specifically those in the target district but also the overall implementation;
  • To liaise and coordinate between project technical staff and local counterparts (district land use authorities, land users, local contractors);
  • To ensure that information or administrative questions involving stakeholders at target district level are dealt with in a timely manner;
  • To support the Project AFA regarding any administrative issues relating to target districts including recruitment, logistics, oversight of contractor services, etc.;
  • Contribute to the preparation and implementation of progress reports.

Logistical support for project technical team when in the field:

  • Provide logistical and organizational support to facilitate the implementation of practical activities by project technical staff in the field;
  • Provide logistical support to district level counterparts in regard to attending trainings, workshops or other project supported events both in the district and elsewhere;
  • A focal point for district stakeholders to contact the project and access relevant literature and advisory materials;
  • Support the establishment and day to day management of an information center located within the project office spaces or other location provided by district authorities / counterparts;
  • Provide direct support and advisory services to project district stakeholders in terms of accessing required information held by the information center or by the project elsewhere;
  • Collect, register and maintain all information on project activities at district level;

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
  • Demonstrates sound judgment, self-development and initiative-taking;
  • Managing conflict;
  • Learning and sharing knowledge;
  • Informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

Communications and Networking

  • Has excellent oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
  • Has excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports;
  • Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government.

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the team;
  • Focus on results 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.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities;
  • Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints.

 

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

  • Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
  • 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.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Secondary  education with specialized certification in relevant subject (agriculture, resource management, economics, finance. Public affairs, etc.).
  • At least 2 years of relevant work experience in the field of  public affairs logistics, finance, administration in collaboration with scientific and government agencies, work with international programs is an advantage; Excellent district level knowledge and networks will be asset.
  • A good working knowledge of Uzbek and Russian is essential. Knowledge of English skills is preferred.

 

Others:

  •  Excellent computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package.
  • Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Good analytical and writing skills.
  • Demonstrable ability to maintain effective communications with different stakeholders, and arrange stakeholder meetings and/or workshops.

 

Application Process:
All interested and qualified candidates are required to apply on-line through the UNDP website at www.undp.uz. The UNDP will only accept applications submitted on-line.

Please ensure that before making on-line application you have completed the UNDP Personal History Form (P11). The electronic version of the P11 can be downloaded from http://www.undp.uz (Vacancies Section). The completed (P11) further to be uploaded while applying on-line.

The deadline for submission of application is COB, 29 October 2014. Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (29 October 2014) will not be given consideration. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified.

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.undp.uz. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

The position is open for Uzbekistan citizens only