Project Assistant

Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RCO) is responsible for comprehensive support to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).  UNCT in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is comprised of ten UN Programmes and Specialized Agencies (FAO, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UNEP, WHO, ILO, IOM, UNESCO, UN Women, UNV), the Breton Woods Institutions (World Bank, IMF), and UNICTY.  Several regionally-based UN Agencies are operational in BiH through the implementation of the 2015-2019 United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for BiH (UNIDO, IFAD, and IAEA).

The coordination of the UNCT is facilitated through the RCO, whose main function is to support the UNCT through the coordinated and analytical assistance, identification of joint UN initiatives and to ensure the broad UN expertise is available to BiH counterparts in their efforts to advance development of BiH.  The RCO’s assistance is divided across four units:  UN coordination, disaster risk reduction, human rights, peace and development and UN communications.

Based on a request from the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Presidency, the “Dialogue for the Future ” joint initiative supported the building of networks and inter-community projects  around the country during 2014-2016, creating a space for cross-cutting dialogue, reconciliation and building of trust. Following the first phase, the BiH Presidency requested the UN Secretary-General for a subsequent round of DFF interventions in BiH, while also expanding to the Sub-Region (BiH, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia). The DFF 2 BiH Project 'Promoting Social Cohesion and Diversity in BiH' will be jointly implemented by UNICEF, UNDP and UNESCO for 18 months. The Sub-Regional initiative will involve national partners and UN in BiH, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia.

The initiative will continue to provide spaces for dialogue and continued interaction between different groups at the local and national levels, will support collective identification of issues that affect all citizens in BiH; and will contribute to enhanced interaction and collaboration between groups. The aim will be for the different groups to realize solving problems affecting them all requires working together, and building on the strengths of diversity.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the DFF II Project Manager, the Peace and Development Assistant will provide programme and analytical support for the benefit of the project. Additionally, the incumbent will also support the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in direct collaboration with the Peace and Development/Political Advisor, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.. The P&D Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN/UNDP rules and regulations.

Providing programmatic and analytical support (peacebuilding perspective) primarily to the DFF II project, as well as to the Peace and Development Adviser and the RCO focusing on achievement of the following results

• Provision of inputs to elaboration of project/programmatic and planning documents;
• Contributing to development of regular analytical reports on the political and peace and development related issues in the country and its potential project and programming impact;
• Supporting processes necessary for the implementation of the programme activities of the  DFF II Project;
• Conduct quality research, collection and preparation of relevant data and documents.

Providing support in monitoring and implementation of DFF programme activities, including other related initiatives:

• Support the project in tracking overall implementation of programme activities;
• Assist in preparing progress reports as and when called upon;
• Supporting relevant processes necessary for the implementation of the programme activities;
• Collecting information for monitoring and evaluation support of the  programme implementation;
• Supporting maintenance of the proper project records.

Providing operational and coordination support for the development and implementation of the Dialogue for the Future initiative:

• Support the day-to-day coordination duties within the project (BiH and multi-country);
• Assist and support the Peace and Development Advisor, RCO and joint DFF teams in preparation and implementation of the multi-country DFF programme;
• Prepare presentations and other background materials for the peacebuilding initative implementation, as needed;
• Assist in the planning and organization of DFF events, as requested and required;
• Explore additional complementary activities and opportunities for further expansion of the initiative.

Supporting the Peace and Development/Political Advisor and the Head of the RCO in administrative activities on the day-to-day basis, relevant for the DFF implementation:

• Assisting the coordination and organization of field visits, missions and conferences and other  logistics arrangements as required by the programme activities;
• Archiving all relevant documents related to work (project documents, reports etc.);
• Organisation of translation/interpretation services (both written and oral) as required;
• Preparation of the meetings and the follow-up Minutes and Reports, as required

Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Assist organization and delivery of Project knowledge management activities;
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in project(s);
• Assisting relevant knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Support colleagues within the project and RCO.

Support effective mainstreaming of gender equality in project/programme activities:

• Provides effective support to the Project team in incorporating gender equality in all the areas of implementation of Project components;
• Ensures that all the data, when collecting and compiling inputs related to the Project, are gender and age disaggregated and evaluated from the gender point of view;
• Ensures minimum 30% participation of the other gender in the preparation of meetings/consultations/trainings/commissions.

Advocacy/Advancing Policy-Oriented Agenda/Support the preparation of information for advocacy

• Identifies relevant information for advocating for a variety of audiences.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management/Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices.

Building Strategic Partnerships/Maintaining information and databases

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches/Implementing processes and uses products

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization/Providing information for resource mobilization strategies

• Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors;
• Maintains database of project files;
• Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise/Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work relating to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Establishing effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm and in control even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each employee;
• Informed and transparent decision making.
• Ability and willingness to travel within BiH

Education: 

• University degree or equivalent in social sciences, international relations, political sciences or related field;
• Secondary education with additional three years of experience may be accepted in lieu of University degree

Experience: 

• Two years of relevant administrative or project support experience at national or international level;
• Five years of relevant administrative or project support experience at national or international level, in case of secondary education;
• Excellent experience in desk research, collection and analysis of data;
• Experience in working with different stakeholders, such as the government institutions, civil society organizations, etc.;
• Prior work experience with the UN system is an advantage.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English and local languages of the duty station.

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.

Workforce diversity

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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