UNDP Jobs - 108619- Project Associate - Development Finance (Jamaican

Project Associate - Development Finance (Jamaican Residents only)

Location :

Kingston, JAMAICA

Type of Contract :

NPSA (Short-Term)

Starting Date :

19-Sep-2022

Application Deadline :

31-Aug-22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NPSA-6

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 MONTHS

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 MONTHS

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the lead development agency of the United Nations, connecting countries to a vast network of global knowledge, experience, technical and financial resources. UNDP works with governments and citizens on nurturing their own solutions to global and national development challenges, while developing local capacity to address these issues. The UNDP multi-country office (MCO) in Jamaica also serves Bermuda, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands.

UNDP is expanding its portfolio to strengthen opportunities for SDG financing through public and private sector engagement and deployment of innovative financing instruments. To this end, the UNDP MCO has embarked on several Sustainable Finance & Innovation focused projects and initiatives In Jamaica, Bahamas and Bermuda.

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist, the Project Associate will support the implementation of these projects and initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Functions:

Effective and results-focused implementation of relevant project activities
Provides financial administration support to the management of the relevant projects and initiative
Support the capacity and partnership building initiatives

Effective and results focused day-day implementation of relevant project activities ensuring the achievement of the following results:

Provide technical support to the implementation of the Project related activities
Establish and maintain project documents which will include financial, programmatic, and monitoring information;
Support the execution of research related to investment and development financing opportunities;
Support the management and monitoring of project risks identified and submission of new risks to the project board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required, maintenance of project risk logs;
Support logistic arrangements for meetings, workshops, engagements with stakeholders;
Consult with technical teams, national partners and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate to support project implementation;
Support the development of strategic briefs based on regional and national dialogues;
Update the Project Management Module of the ERP system for projects;
Prepare briefs for meetings of senior management with Government counterparts and minutes of meetings as appropriate;
Support preparation of project and corporate reports including donor reports.

Provides financial and administrative support to the management of projects ensuring the following results:

Ensure timely support of logistical services for the programme, including organizing missions, travel arrangements, Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) Payments, hotel bookings, etc;
Support the sourcing of personnel, goods and services including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and follow up of all contractors’ work throughout the project implementation and closure phases;
Create requisitions in UNDP’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for development projects, register of goods receipt in the ERP system;
Conduct budget check for requisitions, Purchase Orders (POs) and vouchers;
Ensure proper control for payments and financial reports in keeping with UNDP rules and regulations;
Ensure that grant funds are distributed and expended in keeping with the Work Plans;
Support to spot checks, financial audits and financial closure of the project and ensure provision of requisite documentation.

Supports visibility and partnership building initiatives focusing on the following:

Support the UNDP MCO in building strategic partnerships specifically with UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bilateral & multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society;
Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Plan and coordinates events, including conferences, national dialogues, seminars, workshops, consultations, meetings, press briefings and other project activities

Competencies

Business Development	UNDP Representation	Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies
Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
	Resource Management	Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity
	Risk Management	Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risk
	Communication	Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
Finance	Development Finance Expertise	Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g., social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance etc.
Partnership Management	Private Sector Engagement	Ability to identify, conduct outreach and manage relationships with the private sector

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements	Secondary Education or University Degree in Business, Finance, Economics or related field is required.
Min. years of relevant work experience	At least 6 years with secondary education or minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible project/programme coordination/management experience at the national or international level is required. At least 2 years’ experience working with the private sector or in business development required.
Required skills	Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web- based management systems.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	At least two (2) years of relevant experience working with UN or other International Development Partners is a distinct advantage. At least one year of relevant experience supporting development financing initiatives is an asset.
Required Language(s)	Proficiency in English