Project Associate (NPSA6) - UNDP Moldova/ADA Emergency Support

Job Description

The FAO-UNDP Joint Project– Emergency support for agri-producers in the context of socio-economic and energy crisis - is expected to support Outcomes 2 and 3 of the Moldova 2030 SDGs Partnership Fund. 

Outcome 2. The people of Moldova, in particular the most vulnerable, have access to enhanced livelihood opportunities, decent work and productive employment, generated by sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth. 

Outcome 3. The people of Moldova, in particular the most vulnerable, benefit from enhanced environmental governance, energy security, sustainable management of natural resources, and climate and disaster resilient development. 

The Joint Project has the goal to improve  food security of the country, and to adresss regional impact of the current socio-economic crisis caused by the military conflict in Ukraine by supporting the most vulnerable small farmers (particularly women-led farms and young people) in rural areas of Moldova with inputs and improved capacities for resilient production. 

UNDP Moldova will provide tailored support to women groups - small agricultural producers in order to increase knowledge and skills for sustainable and resilient agriculture and forest practices and to explore alternative income generation activities in the respective sectors  with sustainable and green aspects mainstreamed. Also, women agri-producers will be supported in implementation of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies (biomass boilers in greenhouses, photovoltaic, among others). The Project duration is envisaged between October 2022- August 2024 with support from Austrian Development Agency.

Additional top-ups are however in the process to materialize from SDC and from the Japane Government through the Japan Suplimentary Budget financing instrument. The top ups will increase the total budget dedicated to the emergency support to agro-producrers in the area of energy efficiency and reneawables to up to approx. 1.8 mln USD. 

Scope of Work

Working under the overall guidance of the EECC Cluster Associate and Programme Analyst and the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Associate, in close coordination with the project team,  is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Administrative management

• Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans;
• Provide support to international consultants in the implementation of their tasks for the achievement of project results (communication, contracts, agenda, visas, accommodation, etc);
• Maintain records on all project personnel/national consultants and their respective status (contracts, ToRs, and attendance – if appropriate, etc.) in accordance with accepted policies and procedures; 
• Coordinate other support staff, the project driver, translators, and short-term consultants. 
• Prepare and issue contracts;
• Make pertinent logistical arrangements for the prompt and effective implementation of the programme activities; 
• Draft minutes of Project Board and other project related meetings; 
• Assume overall responsibility for administrative matters of a more general nature, such as registry and maintenance of project files and records;
• Prepare Travel Authorizations and F10 claims for Project staff and consultants;
• Arrange and coordinate translation services/Projects;
• Arrange external and internal meetings (including the meetings of the Project Board, Technical level, as well as other relevant meetings etc.).

Financial management

• Prepare requests for advance of funds and/or direct payments;
• Monitor budget expenditures and maintain a proper record of approved project budgets and their revisions;
• Prepare proposals for budget revisions;
• Prepare and submit expenditure and programme budget status reports;
• Respond to queries from the Government and UNDP with respect to financial aspects of the programme, liaise with UNDP-appointed and external auditors wherever required;
• Prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparations and audit;
• Advise and assist international advisors and national consultants on all aspects of allowances, travel claims and other financial matters and calculate payments due for claims and services;
• Assist the auditing performed by the project managers over the funds allocated to project. Ensure the compliance of allocated funds with the UNDP norms and regulations. 
• If necessary, travel for control and auditing purposes to the project. 
• Undertake other financial and administrative tasks on an ad hoc basis.

Procurement

• In accordance with the Work Plan arrange for procurement of equipment, supplies and services;
• Create and manage e-requisitions in Quantum;
• Prepare the procurement plans for the projects and monitoring of their implementation;
• Prepare the submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP);
• Ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UNDP procedures;
• Physically clear and ensure delivery of equipment and supplies procured for the various programme sites;
• Maintain the equipment and spare inventory including verification and transfer when required.

Other duties as assigned.

1. Assume full responsibility for and manage effectively and efficiently financial, physical / material assets, etc. in order to meet expected results. 
2. b) Apply UNDP programming tools utilization, and namely, introduce and control over the financial data in Quantum.    

Institutional Arrangement

Direct supervisor: Project Manager

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager and overall guidance of the Programme Analyst, the incumbent assists in the effective management of the project through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project 

Associate applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. 

Project Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex project-related issues and information delivery.

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:   LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:   LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:   LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:   LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:    LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:   LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:   LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Academic Education

• Secondary Education.
• Bachelor Degree in economics, finance, accounting, public administration or other related field would be desired.

Long-listed candidates may be required to undergo the UNDP Accountancy & Finance Test (AFT).

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• Minimum 6 years (with Secondary Education) or minimum 3 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of experience in administrative work, accounting/finance, economics, in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO experience is required.

Required skills

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Experience in providing effective administrative and logistical support.
• Experience in office maintenance and assets management.

Desired additional skills

• Experience in compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, reports.
• Previous experience in organization of procurement processes.
• Experience to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents. 
• Experience in maintenance of the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian Russian. 
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language is an asset.

Required Documents

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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Data de încheiere a postului vacant : 21 august 2023

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