Background

The “Empowering Youth for a Peaceful, Prosperous, and Sustainable Future in Kosovo” (EYPPSFK) project, funded by the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund, is an 18-month joint initiative implemented by UNDP-UNV, UNICEF and UN Women, under the strategic guidance of the UN Development Coordinator in Kosovo, that will directly engage positive influencers of a shared future, namely young women and men from communities divided by perpetuation of conflict dynamics, who have been under-represented in leadership to work together on issues of shared interest and concern and become more active changemakers who will catalyze peace and trust-building efforts in Kosovo. 

Building upon the success of existing youth-led initiatives in Kosovo supported by United Nations and its partners, this project is also an effort to catalyze the United Nations trust-building framework for Kosovo. In doing so, the project will focus on establishing and consolidating a “habit” of cooperation, providing empirical challenge to divisive narratives. The project is time-sensitive, targeting the rising dissatisfaction, frustration and anxiety that results from stalled political process and a noted increase in community-level distrust in public institutions in both majority and non-majority communities. Moreover, the project is innovative and human-centered because it focuses on direct community mobilization and facilitated cooperation between people and institutions. Its modular design allows for easy scale-up, and where appropriate replication across different geographical target areas. Finally, the project will be catalytic, because it results in the participants themselves being empowered as advocates for positive change, embedded at community level.

The project theory of change is that if young women and men can be brought together to work jointly on issues of shared concern and implement their efforts in cooperation with the institutions of service delivery, and if their capacity and influence to be more active changemakers, in particular that of young women, can be enhanced, then persistent prejudices between communities and mistrust between communities and the institutions will be challenged and diminished by empirical observation, and those young women and men will become effective advocates for a shared future. 

The outcome of this project will be that the influence of conflict narratives and prejudice has decreased through improved social cohesion resulting from local populations working together and with local institutions on contemporary issues of shared interest to jointly develop solutions for a common future.

The joint project will implement activities under three core outputs: 

Output 1: Young women and men from communities polarized in the current political environment have established the practice of jointly addressing issues of shared interest and concern. 

Output 2: Trust in public institutions/service providers and confidence in gaining employment opportunities has improved through direct engagement based on responsive, transparent and participatory interaction.

Output 3: Leadership capacity and influence of women and young girls to engage in peacebuilding has been increased.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Joint Project Coordinator of the EYPPSFK joint project, and in close cooperation with the participating UN Agencies, the Joint Project Associate will execute duties and responsibilities outlined below:

Execution and compliance of administrative, logistics and finance activities in line with the UN rules, regulations, policies and strategies is ensured:

• Support the overall implementation of the joint project in the area of administrative, logistics and finance in line with the principles of MPTF-administered joint projects of UN entities;
• Managing the project logistics and administrative duties, ensuring effective use of resources and compliance with UNDP rules and procedures;
• Assist the Joint Project Coordinator in the preparation of project work plans and periodic project reports by providing substantial inputs.
• Assist with the preparation of the procurement plan; update the inventory list; assist in purchase of the project equipment.
• Prepare project financial statements and manage project budgets, monitor expenditures against established allocations, prepare budget revisions where necessary;
• Preparation of payment requests for project expenses, timely and accurate entry in web-based management systems, timely financial projections and accounts closure;
• Properly control the supporting documents for payments of beneficiaries and operational expenditures; 
• In cooperation with the Joint Project Coordinator, lead the procurement processes and preparation of the necessary documents for the joint project purposes; 
• Maintain and file records, documents and work plans for the monitoring of the joint project implementation; 
• Assist with organizing events and arranging meetings and missions; coordinate travel arrangements and other logistical tasks for the successful delivery of the joint project; 
• Jointly with the project personnel, undertake project visits, monitor activities and ensure compliance with UNDP rules and procedures, UNDGs guidance note on joint programmes, and the PBF guidelines; 
• Compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, background information and documentation for meetings, events, and missions;
• Collect data and consolidate joint periodic reports for participating UN agencies to be further submitted to the project board, donors and other purposes as necessary.
• Prepare requests for contracts for project-related personnel, including short-term consultants and experts, in compliance with applicable rules and procedures; provide for approval to respective unit with necessary information and on a timely manner.

Impact of Results 

• The results of the work of the Joint Project Associate have a direct impact on the implementation of the joint project and the achievement of results. Specifically, the results have an impact on the planning, implementation, and coordination of project activities and resources (human, financial, material assets, etc.) in order to meet expected results.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of project’s implementation
• Ability to maintain information and files in order, or at more advanced level, develop and implement data management
• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Documents and tracks innovative strategies, best practices and new approaches related to the work position
• Responds to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate manner
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines

Core Competencies:

• Committed to professionalism, impartiality, accountability, ethics and integrity
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, ethnicity, and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Demonstrates substantial experience in gender equality. Actively promotes gender equality in all activities
• Demonstrating sound judgment, understanding of sensitivity of subject-matter, and adheres to confidentiality where required
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education with specialized/specific trainings in business administration/management required. University Degree in Business or Public Administration is an asset. 

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in project administration, finance or procurement-related post; 
• Proven ability to provide administrative and financial services, and oversee and manage budgets for complex projects with diverse range of partners;
• Experience with UN financial systems a distinct advantage;
• Experience and proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in both oral and written English. Fluency in oral written Albanian and/or Serbian is required.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the "Apply now" button;
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box;
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11);
• System will only allow one attachment. All docs (P11, academic qualifications/diploma) should be included as one attachment;
• Without the completed and signed P11, your application may not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at this link: http://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/operations/jobs/