Field Assistant

Remuneration Level:     USD 1,232

From cities to remote desert, across the nation’s entire territory, water management plays a defining role in all aspects of life in Turkmenistan.  Water management encompasses a wide range of natural and human-managed features, including rivers, other water sources, dams, 15 reservoirs, irrigation networks, interdistrict and interfarm canals, drainage collectors, and a far-flung complex of built structures for diverting and pumping water.

The current water management system of Turkmenistan serves its essential purpose of supplying water to end-users. But Turkmen officials and scientists note deficiencies.  Distribution of water is inequitable over the hydrographic network, with shortages at the ends of canals in water-stressed years. Both within watersheds and in parts of the system that interconnect among various sources, disagreements emerge about management solutions for lack of a sufficiently clear and rational legal framework.  Deficiencies in the legal and policy framework also lead to gaps among various levels of government agencies and resource management water users.  Greater clarification and integration are needed.

As problems of water management, energy consumption, land degradation (salinization), and agricultural productivity are all closely intertwined in Turkmenistan, so too are potential solutions.  To support government’s efforts, UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Economy launched a project “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Sustainable Water Management in Turkmenistan” financed by Global Environment Facility.The project will address these problems through integrated activities, with a goal toward achieving multiple benefits in different areas.  Thus improved water management will lead not only to greater water availability, but also to significant energy savings, avoided GHG emissions, and reduced salinization.  Application of new renewable-energy solutions in water management will lead not only to avoided GHG emissions, but also to greater water availability in remote populated areas.  This integrated approach will be practically applied and technically proven first at specific sites in the Akhal velayat, then replicated across the country through region-specific planning and outreach, as well as supporting policies and investment at the national level.

For more detailed information about this project as well as other UNDP Turkmenistan environmental projects please visit: www.tm.undp.org

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Field Assistant’s (FA) main focus will be to support the project manager in the delivery of the project, including the efficient management of the project office. A key focus will be on supporting activities implemented within the pilot demonstration projects under Components 1 and 2. Component 1 will introduce new technologies in irrigated agriculture and pumping for energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable land management (SLM). Component 2 will scale-up investment in new and expanded efficient water-management infrastructure.

In addition, the Field Assistant will support where necessary Component 3 (local and region-specific planning and educational outreach for IWRM and SLM among farmers and water-sector designers and managers), as well as assist with planned activities within the Component 4 (development and support to implementation of policy reform for IWRM).

Summary of key functions:

• Overall project management support
• Logistical services
• Running project activities in project pilot sites

Specific Responsibilities:

1.      Overall project management support:

• Manage the day-to-day administrative operations of the project office;

• Ensure that project complies with UNDP and client administrative requirements;

• Support the PM in planning and monitoring of detailed investment plans and reports for each pilot area, including financial reporting;

• Maintain the project document filing system;

• Support preparation of project documents, presentations and reports;

• Assist in the preparation of external project communications;

• Support the PM in planning and hands-on daily monitoring procurement processes in each project pilot site as part of investment plans;

• Arrange purchases using canvassing method for simple support services and goods including driving, translation/interpretation, maintenance, catering, suppliers, stationary, simple equipment (may include small scale purchase of office equipment and the like not exceeding 5,000 USD threshold) and raise micro-purchasing related e-requisitions making sure correct use of chart of accounts;

• Support translation of key project documents;

• Prepare administrative reports and related documentation as required;

• Assist in organization and documentation for meetings, seminars and other project events in the pilot sites and velayats;

• Make necessary arrangements for registration of projects, publications and other printing materials;

• Assist in customs clearance procedures by preparation of a package of necessary documents;

• Support dissemination of project information among project board memberrs;

• Provide support to project staff in the efficient delivery of their obligations;

• Undertake any other duties as may be assigned to the FA by the PM;

2.      Logistical services:

•  Assist in travel arrangements of project personnel at the field level by preparation of Travel Authorizations with proper supporting documents, ticket purchasing, arranging the accommodation and transportation, etc.;

• Assist project personnel and national/ international consultants to arrange travel within and outside Turkmenistan; more specifically support in development of itinerary, ticket booking/purchasing, arrangement of hotel reservation/apartment, transportation, translation/interpretation services and visa-related arrangements;

• When necessary raise travel related e-requisitions making sure correct use of chart of accounts;

• In coordination with Project Manager draft and compile necessary documentation such as agenda, compilation of list of participants for seminars, workshops, trainings, and other project related events in pilot regions and in the project office as well;

• Make logistical arrangements for seminars, workshops, trainings and other project related events outside of Ashgabat, including venue reservation, arrangements of meals, translation/interpretation services, and required equipment, office supplies, arrangement of printing handouts materials;

    3.      Running project activities in project pilot sites:

• Schedule and prepare project visits to pilot sites;

• Support planning and delivery of events in the project pilot areas;

• Provide clerical support to the PM and project experts, local coordinators in preparing technical specifications for project investments;

• Assist the PM, PIU and local coordinators in identification of potential suppliers of goods and services in pilot areas;

• Support monitoring of implementation of project activities in project pilot sites and during velayat trips;

• Ensure transparency of financial reporting against locally disbursed funds;

• Coordinate and schedule project activities with local project focal points;

• Ensure clear photographic and documentary evidence of project activities implemented;

• Assist in preparation of communications related to project achievements;

• Support the work of National and International experts in the regions as required;

• Effective listening, verbal and writing communication skills;
• Ability to work in and with diverse team;
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy;
• Ability to work under time constraints;
• Ability to undertake regular travel to regions;
• Time management skills.

Education:

• Secondary Education. University Degree will be an asset;

Experience:

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in provision of specialized services; in particular, administrative implementation experience, preferably with development projects in international organizations;

Languages:

• Fluency in Russian and Turkmen languages; good knowledge of English language.

Other skills:

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and other electronic applications;
• Knowledge and practical experience in Internet based platform is a strong asset.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

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UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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