UNDP Jobs - 48828- Project Assistant - (Open to Filipino Ntionals on

Project Assistant - (Open to Filipino Ntionals only)

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SC-6

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

one year

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

Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), one of the strongest typhoons on record in the world, hit the Visayas (Central Philippines) on 8 November 2013 with a force equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. Rainfall rates reached 30 mm per hour, wind speeds clocked upwards of 315 km/h and massive storm surges went up to 5-6 meters high along a coastal areas. Over a 16 hour period, the “super typhoon,” swept through six provinces in the central Philippines, knocking out power, telecommunications, and water supplies. Along the eastern coast of Samar, Eastern Samar and Leyte, extensive damage was caused by powerful storm surges that were akin to a tsunami. Entire villages were swpet away by the sea, claiming thousands of lives and causing heavy infrastructure damage in highly populated areas. On the western coast and mainland areas of Samar and Leyte, severe winds flattened vast areas of farmlands planted with coconut and banana trees. Strong winds also caused damage, although to a lesser extent, along the coasts of Cebu, Panay and Coron.

Close to a year has passed since Typhoon Yolanda left a wide swath of destruction and death. Many areas have cleared of typhoon debris but the people have yet to recover from the destructive impact of the typhoon. There is a widespread clamor for the provision of shelter and livelihoods. There is a need to rebuild or replace public infrastructure, and local governments are yet to become fully operational.

With funding assistance from the European Union, UNDP will embark on a three-year project titled “Recovery and Resilience in Selected Typhoon Yolanda-Affected Communities in the Visayas” to contribute to the ongoing recovery process in 15 affected municipalities. A Project Assistant will be engaged by UNDP to provide project support services in its Manila Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Team Leader for Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit, the Project Assistant will carry out the following tasks:

Provide administrative support to the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit, including for procurement, finance, travel and other administrative processes;
Process travel requests of UNDP staff and field staff (e.g. facilitate travel authorization and security clearances, process DSA, coordinate issuance of air tickets, facilitate vehicle rental);
Ensure the timely processing of payments to suppliers, vendors and other service providers;
Support procurement processes through preparation of procurement requests, canvassing/gathering of quotations and monitoring of delivery;
Ensure systematic filing and maintenance of office records such as incoming and outgoing communications and project records.
Prepare office correspondence and reports as necessary;
Perform secretarial and office support functions such as support to preparations for meetings and workshops;
Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate competencies

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional and technical competencies

Resourcefulness and ability to deliver under pressure;
High tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability.
Possess a comprehensive set of competencies in business administration, accounting and finance;
Results-oriented;
Teamwork;
Knowledge of common office software such as email, MS Office, Internet, etc;
Accuracy and eye for detail;
Good communication (oral and written) skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences and other related fields.

Experience:

3 years of relevant experience in administration or programme support service;
Previous work experience in the UN and other international organizations, an advantage;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Language requirements:

Fluency in the English and national language.

Application:

The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work experience. Interested applicants are requested to complete the UN Personal History Form (P.11), available in our website http://www.ph.undp.org on or before 15 August 2014. Kindly note that only completed P.11 forms will be reviewed. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Please note that we will contact only the short-listed candidates.