UNDP Jobs - 48711- Project Assistant (Turkish Nationals Only)

Project Assistant (Turkish Nationals Only) - Support for the preparation of the Turkey's First Biennial Report (FBR) to UNFCCC

Location :

Ankara, Turkey, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

25-Aug-2014

Application Deadline :

17-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-2

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Maximum 18 months, based on the satisfactory performance and availability of funding

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

This project is addressing one of the main issues identified in the UNDCS Outcome 3: Strengthened policy formulation and implementation capacity for the protection of the environment and cultural heritage in line with sustainable development principles, taking into consideration climate change, including disaster management, with a special focus on gender perspective and UNDP Country Program Document (2010 - 2014), through Outcome 3: Strengthening policy formulation and implementation capacity for the protection of the environment, and cultural heritage in line with sustainable development principles and taking into consideration climate change and disaster management; Enhanced climate-resilient, pro-poor and gender-sensitive policies, institutions and programs are mainstreamed, developed and implemented at the national and local levels for strengthened sustainable development (CP Output 3.1) National capacity for environmental efficiency and monitoring enhanced through improved data collection and information systems (CP Output 3.2) Strengthening capacities for National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan development and implementation with gender differentiated impacts (CP Output 3.4).

The overall strategy of Turkey, as a developing country, is to make its contribution to the global efforts in combating climate change while taking into account her national capacity and special circumstances. Turkey takes actively part in the negotiations for the post-2020 regime with a proper status that should reflect her socio-economic development level. In this framework, Turkey by being a party to Kyoto Protocol shell position herself to take part of the global action to combat climate change.

The outcome of the project is to assist the Republic of Turkey in implementation of obligations under UNFCCC by preparation of First Biennial Report (FBR) as well as to strengthen its technical and institutional capacities to help the government fulfill its commitments to the Convention.

Completion of the First NC enhanced the capacity of institutions, raised professional level of experts and decision makers, and improved the management and organization of work connected with the climate change. The preparation of the Fifth NC further strengthened these capacities and also provided opportunities for additional analysis and capacity building for Turkey in perspective of the post 2020 climate regime. Furthermore, technical, political, legislative, economic and institutional analysis of the relevant sectors completed and will provide the baseline information to develop Turkey’s climate change road map for post 2020. The preparation of the First Biennial Report will further strengthen national capacities for technical reporting in line with BR guidelines, initiate the preparation of several NAMA concepts and enhance national capacities in MRV and sectoral assessments as well.

The project will provide links between climate change studies through the BR process to the wider national development agenda. The analysis will also combine necessary institutional framework in order to ensure consistency and sustainability of national communication process. To ensure stakeholders involvement and endorsement, the project will be implemented through multi-stakeholder consultations. This project is also aimed to cover the gaps that are identified during the UNFCCC In-Country Review of the National Communication.

The proposed project will consist of 7 components: 1. National circumstances reviewed and updated, institutional arrangements relevant to the preparation of the national communications and BR and level of support received to enable the preparation of the BR described; 2. National GHG Inventory for 2012 is reviewed and elaborated in line with BR requirements; 3. Mitigation actions and their effects, including associated methodologies and assumptions, and progress of implementation are described as per the guidelines; 4. Financial, technology and capacity building needs and support received described; 5. Domestic Measurement, Reporting and Verification arrangements are supported; 6. Compilation, consolidation of information in tabular format and Publication of the First Biennial Report; 7. Monitoring, reporting, and preparing of financial audits. In addition, public awareness activities and stakeholder consultations will be cross-cutting along the overall course of this exercise therefore, the preparation oof the First Biennial Report is expected to enhance general awareness and knowledge on reporting requirements of UNFCCC for Turkey and help in to taking into account in the process of national planning and policy.

In addition, public awareness activities and stakeholder consultations will be cross-cutting along the overall course of this exercise therefore, the preparation of the FBR is expected to enhance general awareness and knowledge on climate change-related issues in Turkey and help into taking them into account in the process of national planning and policy.

The FBR is planned to be submitted to UNFCCC in April 2015, since the initiation of the project coincide with the summer holidays, these will bring some barriers to communicate and establish timely collaboration with the experts within the Ministries.

Project Objective: The objective of the project is to assist the Republic of Turkey in implementation of obligations under UNFCCC by preparation of First Biennial Report.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

The Project Assistant (PA) should assist the Project Manager in carrying out his/her administrative functions for the efficient and timely organization of the activities referred in the project document and the associated work plan. The PA will also be tasked to assist the experts who cannot speak Turkish to interact with the Project’s stakeholders who are not fluent in English. S/he will maintain high standards of service delivery, including adherence to deadline, quick response time, accuracy and completeness of information, sensitivity to client needs.

For more details, please refer to the Terms of References located here.

Competencies

The selected candidate should have:

Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve operational problems.
Capacity to work independently and as part of a team.
Talent teamwork-cooperation skills and presentable.
Organized and pays attention to detail.
Flexibility and willingness to learn.
Working in multicultural environment.
Adaptability.
Excellent computer skills, especially in Excel sheet, in both English and Turkish.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Previous experience in working with UNDP projects is an asset.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Promotes vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
Knowledge of UNDP rules and regulations on procurement, human resources and finance is an asset.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Treats all people without favouritism.

Required Skills and Experience

General Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

University degree in related fields

Assets

Masters or higher education in environmental engineering, management, environmental politics, environmental sciences, business administration, economics.

Professional Experience and Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

2 years of working experience

Assets

More than 2 years of experience is an asset
Experience in environment
Experience under NGO’s, government, international organizations, private sector or academia

Specific Experience and Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Experience on administrative office work (organizing meetings, workshops, seminars, drafting letters, preparing payments etc).
Experience on budgeting or payments or general project finance or accounting.

Assets

Experience in working with UN organizations and MoEU, MoEF
Experience in GEF project implementation.
Experience in procurement.

Notes:

Internships (paid/unpaid) are not considered professional experience.
Obligatory military service is not considered professional experience.
Professional experience gained in an international setting is considered international experience.
Experience gained prior to completion of undergraduate studies is not considered professional experience.
Documents that demonstrate participation to project cycle management are not considered an internationally recognized project management certificate.

Other Considerations:

Deliverables and Reporting

The Project Assistant will work under the direct supervision of Project Manager and also provide information and support as needed to the UNDP Climate Change and Environment Programme Manager. S/he will be responsible of producing all necessary deliverables required by the Project Manager. S/he will maintain high standards of service delivery, including adherence to deadline, quick response time, accuracy and completeness of information, sensitivity to client needs.

Services and Facilities Provided by UNDP and MOEU

Ministry of Environment and Urbanism will provide to the PA with an office space, access to the Internet and a local telephone line in Ankara.

Payment

The SC holder shall be paid in TL on a monthly basis. The amount to be paid to PA shall be gross and inclusive of all associated costs such as social security, pension and income tax etc.

The Non UN Salary Scale for the position is: SB-4

Evaluation

Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications listed in the Terms of Reference will be short-listed and called for an interview.

Application Information

Interested candidates should submit the following application documents:

A cover letter stating an expression of interest with a possible starting date for the entire duration of the contract;
Most updated CV;
Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Applicants should submit their CVs and the UN Personal History Form P11 through jobs.undp.org no later than 17 August 2014 18:00 pm local time.

No hardcopy or fax applications will be accepted.
No phone inquiries will be accepted.
Short listed candidates will be contacted only.