UNDP Jobs - 56076- Project Associate – UNDP/Joint Programme on Local

Project Associate – UNDP/Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (Open to Somali Nationals Only)

Location :

Mogadishu, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

18-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-7

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year (with possibility of extension)

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 five UN agencies (UNDP, UN-Habitat, UNCDF, ILO and UNICEF) of the UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG) phase II 2013-2017, supports Local Governments, State and Federal governments, as well as civil society and private sector to promote improvements in local governance quality; which will contribute to peace consolidation, development and equitable service delivery for the citizens of Somalia. JPLG II builds on the successes of the first phase (2008-2012) of the joint programme and seeks to support Somalia to expand decentralized service delivery through 1) strengthening policy and legislative frameworks; 2) developing capacity of local government and; 3) improving decentralized service delivery. JPLG II is in line with the New Deal development cooperation framework as well as the United Nations’ Integrated Strategic Framework for Somalia (2014). The joint programme also aligns its support to the Somali Compact, including the Special Arrangement for Somaliland, and has a special focus on the Somali Peace and State building Goals (PSG) 1, 4 and 5.

It is envisaged that JPLG II will achieve as wide coverage in Somalia as resources and conditions allow with a comprehensive approach to assist local governments to be credible, professional service providers, increasing public investment in basic services, and strengthening civic awareness and participation in local decision-making and development.

The strategy pursued will comprise:

policy and legal frameworks for decentralization, local government, service provision and land management,
institutionalizing local government systems, vertical and horizontal inter-government linkages and civic education initiatives,
investment in public services and goods through testing a Local Development Fund model, direct service provision and promotion of public-private partnerships; and
Processes and systems for housing, land and property disputes and resolution.

Throughout the Programme, strong emphasis is placed on gender and women in local government, human rights and local governance, and good governance principles of transparency, accountability and participation.

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager for Local Governance and in close coordination with other JPLG staff the Project Associate will provide financial, administrative and programming services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work for JPLG and UNDP. He/she works in close collaboration with the UNDP operations and programme and JPLG project staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP project implementation. The incumbent promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support implementation of operational strategies;
Support to effective procurement, budgeting, financial and assets management;
Effective and efficient project management support;
Effective administrative and financial control in the project;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Ensures implementation of operational strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance of administrative activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
Ensure strong linkages between project and program;
Support Project Managers and programme team on UNDP procedures to follow in terms of budgeting, contracting modalities with implementing partners;
Actively participate in the preparation of work plans and operation plans as well as procurement plans for projects, Monitor progress and advise on timely corrective actions for proper operational project delivery;
Liaise with counterparts in the preparation of contracts such as letters of agreement (LOA) including activities, work plans, budget and schedule of payments and submit draft of agreements to Project Managers for approval; ensure that such agreements are up to date and that activities are not undertaken beyond contractual period;
Provide support in quality control of project activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery of project through a client-satisfaction approach;
Maintain an appropriate filing system documenting the implementation of approved work-plan activities;
Monitoring of achievements of outcomes and outputs as per LOA and supporting counterpart through supervision and training in ensuring timely and proper financial and narrative reporting in collaboration with the Program Specialist;
Provide support in regular monitoring and data collection of project activities and provide weekly work-plan and progress reports to the Project managers;
Produce timely implementation and monitoring reports as required by the project /programme.

Ensure effective procurement, Budgeting and Financial and Assets management, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Assist in the preparation of project activities budgets based on approved work plans;
Provide logistic and admin support to the project and staff;
Raise requisitions and be the financial focal point utilizing ATLAS (UN financial management system) for the project;
Provision of inputs to preparation of procurement plans for the project;
Preparation of inventory reports and keep up to date the office filing system;
Review financial reports submitted by counterparts and liaise with counterparts to ensure the transparent and accountable use of funds provided in the framework of LOAs;
Collect, maintain and update data relevant to the project areas being supported, maintain work plan information for the programme;
Support coordination of activities implemented in all regions and promote information sharing between the regions and different components of the Program;
Support the counterparts and UNDP programme Staff on operational issues, and complying with UNDP rules and procedures under Letter of Agreements;
Coordination of assets management in the project, timely preparation and submission of periodic projects inventory reports, coordination of physical verification of inventory items.

Provides support to timely and quality reporting to Project Manager’s activities, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Ensure that donor and other kinds of reporting are done in a timely manner and within the UNDP rules and regulations or according to the criteria set out in partnership documents with donors;
Ensure proper reporting to Project manager on implementation, the achievement of outputs as well as, contribute to reporting on progress towards outcomes and impact;
Prepare presentations to development partners and Project managers as required;
Support production of bi-weekly progress reports, issues and constraints against work plan and as required to be submitted to the programme team;
Liaise with the Program Specialist and Programme Officers to provide regular project updates for the sub-office as required, especially as related to relevant outcomes in UNSAS.

Ensures effective administrative and financial control in the office, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support and guides project staff in the field, implementing partners and consultants on UNDP administrative and NEX reporting requirements, clearance procedures for finance, procurement, recruitment, travel, and related issues;
Prepare budget and budget revisions as required; Update and initiate processing of project and financial entries in ATLAS;
Reconciles the records of payments with activities and prepare new disbursements to the Project Manager;
Review of data integrity in the database, control project; analysis of results and initiation of corrective actions when necessary;
Proper inventory control; supervision of proper issuance of inventory items and supplies;
Review of travel authorizations, documentation, payments;
Assistance in the preparation of budget, audit and other reports;
Provision of researched information, reports for audit exercises.

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the programme team and CO, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project for organizational sharing and learning;
Supports capacity-building of national counterparts; and
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the programme/CO.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the Project and of the Governance Programme Unit and success in implementation of project and programme strategies. Accurate analysis, appropriate and efficient management of tasks, as well as sensitivity to a diverse cultural environment will impact on the results.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to administer and execute financial processes and transactions;
Ability to train support staff;
Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting;
Ability to participate effectively in team-based information sharing environment;
Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time;
High client service orientation and initiative to solve problem, excellent analytical and communication skills;
Ensures high quality and accuracy of work;
Executes processes and transactions with a results-oriented approach;
Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions;
Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve operational problems;
Ability to perform work of confidential nature and handle a large volume of work;
Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations;
Strong IT skills and knowledge of web based systems;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Completion of Secondary Education. Certification in finance/accounts and project management course is a requirement;
University Degree in Business Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related fields will be an advantage but not a requirement.

Experience:

4 years of finance, administrative, programme/project or research experience is required;
Experience in the usage of computer software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), and web based management systems.

Language:

Fluency in English and Somali with good written and oral skills.

Other:

Terms of Service : This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a Service Contract serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.