UNDP Jobs - 13075- Project Associate (National)

Project Associate (National)

Location :

Banda Aceh, INDONESIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Nov-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-6

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

UNDP Indonesia's mission is to be an agent for change in the human and social development of Indonesia. We aim to be a bridge between Indonesia and all donors as well as a trusted partner to all stakeholders. We work in four key areas of development: Democratic Governance, Regional Development and Poverty Reduction, Conflict Prevention and Recovery, and Environment and Climate Change. Besides the four priority areas, UNDP Indonesia is also engaged in crosscutting initiatives such as HIV/AIDS and gender equality.

I. Organizational Context

The Aceh Government Transformation Programme (AGTP) is a project implemented under the
Guidance and direct supervision of the Governor of Aceh. UNDP is the partner agency to this project. The project is executed through the “National Execution” modality agreed between UNDP and the Government of Indonesia, in which the Government of Indonesia is taking the lead in the implementation of the project. This project includes three main components, namely, first, the provision of Special Advisers to Governor NAD with a special role to provide policy support to the Governor, second, the provision of capacity building support and technical assistance for seven local provincial government agencies related to transition, and third, the enhancement of organizational capacity of BKPP (formerly known as Badan DIKLAT) in the context of building the capacity of government human resources in NAD.

Given that AGTP implementation is led by NAD government, thus the Governor of NAD is currently acting as the National Project Director, while also heading a Project Board to provide oversight for project implementation. A Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established at Aceh Governor’s Office to manage the project and coordinate for its implementation. The PMU is headed by a Project Manager, who provides leadership to three Project Officers (PO’s). The Project Officers act as the component managers for each of the three components under the AGTP project. For each component, the PO is supported by a project assistant to carry out programmatic, administrative and logistic tasks in various areas as demanded by the project.

In addition to the project assistants, the project requires a Project Associate to undertake specific tasks under the supervision of the Project Officer. These tasks demand analytical skills and also a certain degree of managerial competence and quality inputs, that are beyond the capacity of common project assistants. The specific tasks include the development of LOAs, project programmatic workplan in liaison with key component/output stakeholders, contract management in the context of overall M&E framework of the project, and also quality inputs in the day-to-day coaching to the component/output stakeholders. Therefore, while the project assistant undertakes managerial tasks, the Project Associate will then provide analytical and quality inputs to immediate project activities and processes at the output/component level. Hence, the Project Associate will be supervised by Project Officer (Component Manager) and s/he will ensure effective delivery of AGTP by managing data and information so as to support project implementation that is consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Although without supervisory authority, the Project Associate works closely with, and provides support to, clerical and support staff (i.e. project assistants) within the of the PMU. In broader terms, the Project Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and Projects’ staff within UNDP Field Office in Banda Aceh and specifically in AGTP as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Whereas the AGTP activities have been ongoing since the last quarter of 2007, the project is currently starting up a full fledge implementation following the signing of the AGTP project document between UNDP and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The presence of a project associate will help the PMU to accelerate project delivery and thus provide timely responses to the ongoing transition in Aceh.

Duties and Responsibilities

II. Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions

The Project Associate will provide support to the Project Management in the following areas:

Strategies and the implementation of the Aceh Government Transformation Programme (AGTP)
Management of the AGTP
Administrative support to the Programme Unit
Resource mobilization
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Supports the formulation of strategies and the implementation of the Aceh Government Transformation Programme (AGTP) focusing on achievement of the following results:

Presentation of background information for formulation of AGTP, draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.

2. Provides effective support to management of the AGTP focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Preparation of required budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, operational and financial close of a project.
Provision of guidance to the executing agency on routine implementation of projects.
Presentation of information for audit of projects supports implementation of audit recommendations.
Assist in designing and arranging the project management in managing LoAs and procurement for AGTP unit.
Assist in ensuring the implementing partner’s readiness to take up the responsibility in implement the LoA to meet with UNDP standard.
Assist the Project Officer in LoA implementation.

3. Provides administrative support to the Programme Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

Assist in the developing of the LoA with the implementing partners.
Review, analyze and comment on the no cost contract extended (Lo) with the implementing partner.
Review of AGTP Financial Reports, preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects.
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed.

4 . Supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

Track and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in ATLAS.
Support the implementing partner to ensure the recruitment process base on the LoA signed.

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the AGTP focusing on achievement of the following results:

Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

III. Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall implementation of the project and successful in implementation of programme strategies. Accurate analysis, data entry and presentation of information ensure proper programme implementation.

Competencies

IV. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Corporate Competencies :

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP-AGTP
Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time.Promotes a learning environment; facilitates the development of individual and team competencies
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies :

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Executes day-to-day tasks systematically & efficiently
Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource.
Is motivated & demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development & learn
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
Shares knowledge and experience
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness :

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals
Determines clients' needs & adapts UNDP products & services to meet them
Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situations
Pursues own personal and professional development
Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems
Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit

Management and Leadership :

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
Consistently approached work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

V. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences or in any related field.

Experience:

Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible 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 advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems. Familirization with Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 is preferable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Indonesian both oral and written are required, and an Acehnese would be an asset.

ALL APPLICANT MUST COMPLETE P11 FORM AND SUBMIT AS PART OF THEIR APPLICATION . Click here to down load the form P11

Female candidates are encouraged to apply

UNDP Indonesia reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Indonesia at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.