Project Associate

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in 177 countries and territories. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP is committed to helping the country through strengthened national and local capacities to carry out political, economic and social reforms and promote development. In the programmatic period 2021-2025, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework will guide the work of authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the United Nations (UN). Commitment to work together and achieve priorities in BiH is expressed by: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), future accession to the European Union, the Joint Socio-Economic Reforms (Reform Agenda) 2019-2022, and the human rights commitments of BiH, including other agreed international and regional development goals, and treaty obligations and conventions.

As part of the UNDP BiH’s Good Governance’s portfolio, The Economic Governance for Growth Project seeks to contribute to economic growth and entrepreneurship development, improving economic governance and fostering the growth of market-oriented capabilities for a knowledge-based economy.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Sector Leader (in role of Project Manager) and direct supervision of Project Officer, the Project Associate will provide support services ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. Project Associate will be responsible for technical and logistical assistance to Project Manager and Project Officers while implementing activities under the second phase of the Economic Governance for Growth (EGG) Project.

The incumbent will be based in UNDP BiH office in Sarajevo.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall technical, administrative, and logistical support to Project activities with following expected results

Assist the Project Manager and Project Officers in the implementation of technical and operational activities for the preparation of the outputs;
Review technical and support information on relevant studies, projects and initiatives that may contribute to the Project activities;
Participate in the planning, organizing and execution of Project activities;
Organize and coordinate seminars, training activities, workshops, site visits and other exchange and facilitation events for stakeholders;
Organize and coordinate information exchanges both internationally and between participating institutions;
Compile and prepare the documentation necessary for the procurement of services, good and supplies under the project;
Maintain the Project’s files and supporting documentation for payments;
Draft routine official correspondence and assists in the preparation of various reports.

2. Support to the Project teams in implementation of Project business processes with following expected results

Assist the Project Manager and Project Officers in the selection process of the consultants to be hired by the Project according to the rules and procedures established by UNDP;
Perform the procurement of services, goods and supplies authorized by the Project Manager;
Supports periodic and ad-hoc financial reporting to UNDP and other parties;
Perform regulary monitoring of expenditures and commitments against project budget and relevant plans, and provides finance-related data to support project implementation and planning;
Assists team members, experts, and consultants, in liaison with UNDP Operations, on financial and other operational matters.
Prepare the payment requests as authorized by the Project Manager;
Organize translation and interpretation services in accordance with business processes.

3. Support to Business Process Quality Assurance with following expected results:

Facilitate that business processes followed by the projects are in line with the UNDP rules and regulations, policies, and internal control framework;
Assist in timely reporting and participate in the drafting of the administrative, technical and financial reports;
Assist the Project Manager in monitoring of disbursements in accordance with the Project Budget and Disbursement Plan;
Performs any other duty as requested by the supervisor.

4. Support to the Projects teams in effective mainstreaming of gender equality with following expected results:

Provide effective support in mainstreaming gender equality in the projects implementation and makes sure that knowledge on gender equality is incorporated in the project’s knowledge management activities and products;
Provide effective support to the Project Manager in incorporating gender equality in all the areas of implementation of projects components, in the organization of the project evaluations and audits;
Ensure that all collected data related to the project are gender and age disaggregated and evaluated from the gender point of view.

Competencies
Core
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

People Management – N/A

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition
Technical Competencies Financial Planning and Budgeting Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting
Technical Competencies Financial Reporting and Analysis Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring
Technical Competencies Data Analysis Ability to extract, analyse and visualize procurement data to dorm meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making
Technical Competencies Recruitment and Selection Knowledge of recruiting issues, procedures, and principles and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations to secure quality candidates
Cross-Functional Competencies Integration within the UN Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
Cross-Functional Competencies Communication Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
Cross-Functional Competencies Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

• Secondary education

• University degree in public administration, business, economics, engineering, or related field will be given due consideration.
Min. years of relevant work experience • Minimum 6 years (with Secondary education) or 3 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant administrative and/or project support work experience.
Required skills • Familiarity and prior experience with UNDP procedures would be an asset.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
Required Language(s) Fluency in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian language.