UNDP Jobs - 44059- Project Associate - Integrated Approach to Managem

Project Associate - Integrated Approach to Management of Forests in Turkey

Location :

Ankara, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

17-Mar-2014

Application Deadline :

28-Feb-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

5 Years

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 Country Programme Document (CPD) for Turkey (2011-2015) is largely based on the Government’s Ninth Development Plan (2007-2013), which outlines Turkey’s long-term national development objectives directed at enhancing quality of life through an inclusive development process, and aligned to the new United Nations Development Cooperation Strategy (UNDCS) 2011-2015 for Turkey. Anchored around the current UNDAF mid-term review, two national MDG reports, an ongoing Assessment of Development Results (ADR) 2009 and thematic outcome evaluations, the new country programme strategy is built on the Corporate UNDP Strategic Plan (2006-2010) and the RBEC Rolling strategy (2010-2012) and developed in close consultations with the Government and the key development partners in Turkey.

Within this scope, the project will contribute to the Government’s efforts to create a bio-geographically representative national system of protected areas, as codified in the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2008). It will likewise help Turkey meet the protected area targets laid out in the Global Strategic Plan on Biodiversity 2011-2020. The project also advances the country’s commitments under the Gift to the Earth declaration, whereby the Government pledged to extend PAs in nine identified forest landscapes, currently under-represented within the PA estate, five of which are within the Mediterranean forest directorates covered under this project.

Please click here for detailed Terms of References.

Duties and Responsibilities

The key functions (KF) of the project associate will include the following:

Coordinate the project experts and ensure that their results are delivered on time
Prepare GEF quarterly project progress reports, as well as any other reports requested by the OGM and UNDP
Overall, provide all necessary support related to the implementation of the project to the UNDP ESD Program Manager and SFM Project Manager
Provide general administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the PMU
Develop (with inputs from the relevant project staff) all contractual reports, follow up on comments of the project partners, and finalizing the reports,
Assist UNDP Programme Support Associate to develop the yearly procurement plans. Initiate procurement processes by developing or facilitating development of tender documents in terms of administrative requirements. Support relevant UNDP units during the procurement process, which include, but not limited to, following the proper running of the procurement modality, assistance of the evaluation committee during the evaluation of bids, development of procurement-related reports (technical evaluation report, bid opening report, final evaluation report etc.)
Provide assistance to ensure that project-level resource schedules are aligned to the annual procurement plan
Review the specific terms of reference in terms of administrative aspects for Programme Support Associate (PSA) endorsement,
Prepare contracts (IC, RLA, SC, Institutional Contracts etc) for PSA clearance.
Brief the contractors (consultants and institutions) on administrative matters,
Monitor delivery of inputs of the contractors,
Inform the ESD PM and PSA on contract delivery and contract expiry/amendment/termination periods.
Facilitate organization of project events (such as seminars, workshops, conferences etc.) in terms of administrative and logistical support
Provide logistical support to the project staff and project consultants, inter alia, for travel arrangements both within and without Turkey,
During the visits of foreign experts, manage their visa support, transportation, hotel accommodation etc
Support project experts during implementation and monitoring of site-based joint activities with local stakeholders.
Work with the project experts in designing and organizing training, communication and other activities/meetings to be implemented in the project sites.
Communicate and exchange information with partners and stakeholders at the project sites.
File and archive all relevant correspondence and documents (tender dossiers, proposals, evaluation reports etc.).
Monitor the use of non-expendable equipment (record keeping, drawing up regular inventories).
Support to UNDP and GDF in administrative assistance and co-ordination on activities related to climate change, biodiversity, disaster risk management and sustainable forest management topics.
Support to UNDP and GDF in providing administrative assistance and co-ordination for capacity building activities on carbon-focused forestry activities and sustainable forest management.
Assisting ESD Program Manager and SFM Project Manager for co-ordination among consultants to be hired.
Perform any other administrative duties within the legal framework of UNDP and GDF as requested by the respective supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s and Government of Turkey’s values and ethical standards,
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP, GDF and partner organizations,
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Good knowledge of project cycle management,
Demonstrates strong management skills,
Promotes team work, contributes towards building team consensus,
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the beneficiaries and responds positively to feedback,
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Good teamwork and managerial skills,
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills both in Turkish and English,
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities,
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting,
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects,
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery,
Good knowledge of the Results Management,
Good ICT skills, knowledge of ERP systems,
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change,
Experience in forestry, disaster risk management, climate change, biodiversity.

Required Skills and Experience

General Qualifications:

University degree in Engineering, Communication, Public Relations, Management, Humanities & Letters or Environmental Sciences or related fields.
Minimum 3 (three) years of experience in the area of project management and/or programme assistance at medium and small scale projects.
Excellent both spoken and written English and Turkish language skills.
Good computer skills in common word processing (MS Word), spreadsheet (MS Excel), and accounting software.

Professional Experience and Qualifications:

Minimum 3 years of experience in international working environment.
Solid experience of planning and reporting on foreign funded projects.
Good secretarial skills and good organizational capacity.

Specific Experience and Qualifications:

Professional experience in working with government personnel.
Good communication skills and experience in working with senior government personnel.

Assets:

Masters or higher degree in related fields is an asset.
Graduation form Forest Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Natural Sciences.
Trainings on forestry, climate change, disaster risk management and biodiversity
More than 5 (five) years of professional experience
More than 2 years experience in the planning and implementation of projects funded or executed by international organizations.
Good experience on organizing international events, missions and/or conferences.
Knowledge in current administrative and legislative procedures of the Turkish Government.
Experience in biodiversity, sustainable forest management, or climate change and risk management projects.
Experience in design and implementation of capacity building activities such as trainings, workshops and meetings.
Experience in providing logistical support to both UNDP and Governmental staff.
Proven experience in the preparation of speeches and presentations
Experience in GEF project implementation.
Familiarity with UNDP Administrative Procedures and System.
Experience in handling integrated web-based management systems ie ATLAS, SAP, etc.