Kazakhstan is the largest GHG emitter in Central Asia with annual emissions of 243 MtCO2e. The transport sector is its fastest growing source of CO2 emissions projected to increase from 9 MtCO2/yr in 2008 up to 22 MtCO2/yr in 2012 and 36 MtCO2/yr in 2020 (data source TNC of RK to UNFCCC, 2005). A significant share of transport emissions is associated with ground transportation in the former capital city of Almaty, the largest and most densely populated city in the country with a population of 1.6 million.  Its population is expected to exceed the 2 million threshold in the next 3 to 5 years. 

In Almaty, there are currently more than 500,000 vehicles registered. According to local authorities, there is an average of another 200,000 vehicles that enter the city from outlying Almaty Oblasts during working hours.  Based on motor vehicle growth trends of other cities of Europe and Central Asia, further increases in private car ownership are expected in Almaty.  The viable alternative to private cars should be public transport. 
The objective of the project is to reduce the growth of the transport-related greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Almaty, while simultaneously improving urban environmental conditions by 1) improving the management of public transportation and air quality in Almaty; 2) building capacity in Almaty to holistically plan and implement improvements in the efficiency and quality of public transport; 3) building capacity to holistically plan and implement integrated traffic management measures in Almaty City; and 4) implementing a demonstration project that raises awareness and increases knowledge of sustainable transport.

A continuation of the “business-as-usual” growth of the transport sector without interventions will be counter to Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of “ensuring environmental sustainability” (MDG-7) and to develop global partnerships to achieve development.  CAST has been designed to contribute to the outcomes and outputs of UNDP Kazakhstan Country Program (CP) and the 2010-2015 UNDAF . Specifically, CAST aligns with Kazakhstan’s UNDAF Outcome 2: Environmental Sustainability, Agency Outcome 2: Government, industries and civil society take steps to mitigate climate change impacts through energy efficiency measures, and Output 2.3: Government and energy consumers are better equipped with knowledge, policies and pilot cases on energy efficiency measures in sectors with high CO2 emission levels.

The project will support achievement of GEF-4 Strategic objective-CC 5: Promoting Sustainable Innovative Systems for Urban Transport with a particular emphasis on “non-technology” options, such as planning, traffic management and modal shift to low-GHG intensive transport modes.  The global objectives of CAST will be to facilitate GHG reductions through these modal transport shifts.  As a consequence, urban mobility will improve through the use of efficient transport modes of lower carbon intensity and increased fuel efficiency of a modernized bus fleet.

The National Project Assistant will provide support to the Project Manager (PM) in implementation of everyday activities under the Project and will work under direct supervision of Project Manager. The Assistant will be responsible for all administrative (contractual, organizational and logistics) issues and the issues related to procurement (procurement of services and goods, payments, accounting, cash management and others).

The duties and responsibility of the Assistant will include:

1. Procurement:
• Development of a plan and monitoring of procurements for every year according to UNDP format;
• Collection and systematization of the information on potential suppliers of services/goods;
• Ensuring tender selection of the supplier of services/goods in accordance with UNDP requirements and procedures;
• Preparation of motivations on the selected supplier of services/goods for consideration by the UNDP procurement committee;

2. Financial management of the project:
• Preparation of budget revisions of the project as minimum once a year;
• Preparation of documents for payment in accordance with SOP; create non-PO vouchers in Atlas
• Monitoring of project expenditures in accordance with the work plan and UNDP procedures;
• As necessary,  preparation of cash advance requests and securing of reporting in accordance with UNDP procedures;

3. Administrative support:
• Preparation of travel requests for the employees of the Project, Executive Partner and UNDP in accordance with UNDP specified order and format;
• Solution of organizational issues on reservation and acquisition of tickets and others; Securing visa support, arrangement of transport and accommodation in a hotel and etc. during the visits of foreign experts;
• Support in preparation of short-term contracts in accordance with UNDP requirements and procedures and exercising control over observance of contract terms and periods;
• Assistance to PM in keeping close contacts with the Executive Partner, UNDP, the project partners and other organizations by means of direct contacts, collection of information and proposals, registration of incoming and outgoing correspondence, preparation of draft letters and organization of meetings;
• Keeping the catalogue of archive data, inclusion of all data on contracts, reports and etc. into it, revision and updating of them in an established format for subsequent use;
• Development of a catalogue of materials on monitoring of the project and project activities (correspondence, reports, budget and financial expenses) in accordance with UNDP requirements;
• Organization of the process on preparation and logistics of workshops, working meetings, delegations, field expeditions and etc.;
• As required, preparation of basic materials to use during presentations, workshops and briefings;
• Keeping an inventory list on provision separate expert with project equipment and their responsibility for it and monitoring of the equipment use;
• Securing regular record keeping on use of the office vehicle;
• Preparation of unofficial translations and as required, acting as an interpreter.

The key results have an impact on the success development of the project. Accurate presentation of information, thoroughly and fully documented work strengthens the capacity of the project and facilitates subsequent action by the supervisor.

Corporate Requirements:
• Good command of spoken and written English. 
• Good knowledge of computer and organizational technology.
• Knowledge of UNDP requirements and procedures.
• Developed analytical abilities.
• Good interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to conduct paperwork.
• Ability to work in a team.

Education:
- At least Bachelor degree in any discipline (in the field of accounting, financial management or business administration etc.)

Work Experience:
- At least 2 years of relevant work experience in administrative and/or financial support of office operating within international or foreign projects or organizations.
-  Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel and 
 PowerPoint)Knowledge of UNDP procurement and administrative procedures will be an added advantage

Language requirements:
- Fluent spoken and written Russian, good English;
- Knowledge of Kazakh is preferred