Project Assistant

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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 Project Management Unit (PMU) is one of the core units of the Governance and Justice for Development Cluster of UNDP Brazil. The team is looking for two new Project Assistants to support the projects in its portfolio.

The Governance and Justice for Development Unit works in an integrated manner with other UNDP Units and is responsible for driving the Country Office’s project portfolio in its priority areas of activity. The responsibilities of the selected Project Assistants will encompass activities on projects directly implemented within this unit, especially those carried out in partnership with the Judiciary.

Specific context of the position: Under the supervision of the Senior Project Manager who leads the Project Management Unit (PMU), the person will be responsible for supporting the administrative, strategic, technical and operational activities to support the project portfolio, especially in projects on innovation, access to justice, digital transformation, promotion of human rights, among others.

This selection process seeks to hire a Project Assistant to work in Brasília-DF.

Duties and responsibilities

In this role, Project Assistants will be responsible for supporting the implementation of projects, ensuring the quality of results and contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of actions. This includes support in the execution of activities, technical and financial monitoring, development of monitoring strategies, interface with partners, among other activities in close coordination with Project Management.

Main Responsibilities:

Administrative and Operational Support
Support project implementation, including financial resource management, human resource processes, procurement and logistics services.
Prepare Terms of Reference, participate in consultant selection committees, organize travel and provide logistical support for workshops and meetings.
Maintain up-to-date files and records of project documentation.
Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
Assist in planning and monitoring activities, ensuring compliance with deadlines and established guidelines.
Monitor project partners and donors on a daily basis to ensure efficient implementation of administrative and operational activities.
Process and Transaction Management
Perform transactions in the Quantum system, including preparing project reviews, as per the job duties.
Reporting and Auditing
Support the preparation and submission of progress reports, donor reporting, project reviews, financial reports and audits.
Organize project review meetings and tripartite meetings, monitoring the implementation of recommendations and audits.
Management of Agreements and Selection Processes
Participate in selection and monitoring processes for Letters of Agreement (LoAs) and Responsible Party Agreements (RPAs); and
Participate in selection and monitoring processes for Individual Contracts (ICs).
Support for Human Resources Processes
Assist in conducting recruitment and selection processes, as well as contract extensions for projects and consultants.
The holder performs other functions within his/her functional profile that he/she considers necessary for the proper functioning of the project.

Institutional Arrangement

The contractor will be supervised by the UNDP Senior Project Manager.

Skills

Achieve results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to detail, delivers quality work on time

Innovative Thinking:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/acknowledged risks, pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Continuous learning:
LEVEL 1: Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with agility:
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, deals constructively with ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with determination:
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to act calmly in the face of adversity, confident

Engaging and Partnering:
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding toward others, forms positive relationships

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciating/respecting differences, aware of unconscious bias, confronting discrimination

Multifunctional and technical skills

Business Direction and Strategy - Strategic Thinking:
• Develop effective strategies and priority plans aligned with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on a systemic analysis of potential challenges, opportunities and risks; connect the big picture with the reality on the ground to create tangible and targeted solutions; learn from diverse sources to anticipate and respond effectively to current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Direction and Strategy - Systems Thinking:
• Ability to use objective analysis and problem judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within the whole of a process or system, and to consider how changing one element might impact other parts of the system.

Business Development - Human-Centered Design:
• Ability to develop solutions to problems involving the human perspective at all stages of the problem-solving process.

Business Management - Project Management:
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific objectives.

Business Management - Working with evidence and data:
• Ability to inspect, clean, transform and model data with the aim of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision making.

Agenda 2030: Peace - Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights:
• Effective Justice Sector Institutions.

Agenda 2030: Peace - Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights:
• Access to Justice.

Skills and Experience Required

Minimum education requirements:

• High School Diploma is required; or
• University Degree (Higher Education) in the areas of Administration, International Relations, Communication, Social Sciences, Humanities, Public Administration and Law or related areas will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement

Minimum years of relevant professional experience:

Minimum of 4 years (for complete secondary education) or 1 year (for higher education Bachelor's degree) of experience with administration activities, or support for project management in the areas of public or private management, consultancy, international cooperation, public policy management or information management.

Required skills:

• Knowledge of MS office.

Desired skills, in addition to the skills covered in the Skills section:

• Experience working in the public sector, mainly in federal government institutions;
• Experience in the United Nations System;
• Professional or academic experience in management and governance;
• Experience in contract and project monitoring activities;
• Experience in methods of organizing complex processes and projects;
• Professional or academic experience or interest in topics related to access to justice, digital innovation, human rights, rights of vulnerable populations, promotion of gender and race issues, and related areas.

Required languages:

• Fluency in Portuguese is required.
• Knowledge of English will be considered a differential, but is not a necessary requirement.

Desirable Professional Certificates
• N/A

Disclaimer

Important Candidate Information

All positions in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.

Candidate information on UNDP lists

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

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity in its workforce and encourages all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, cultural, religious and ethnic origins to apply. All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

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Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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