Project Tech. Assistant

Accra

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Accra
Grade: Consultancy - SB-4 (SC8/SC9), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Administrative support
- Environment
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Resilience and Climate Change
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: Closed

Background

There is high agreement by all national and regional scale analyses of vulnerability by various sources including government commissioned reports and independent scholastic research10 that vulnerability especially to drought effects has geographical patterns and socioeconomic associations, with the three northern regions (Northern, Upper West and Upper East regions) the most vulnerable. Similarly, the adaptive capacity of these three northern regions is the lowest nationwide due to low socioeconomic development and heavy dependence of local economies and livelihoods on rain-fed systems such as agriculture and forestry. Decreasing annual rainfall and increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, due to climate change, are adversely affecting rural livelihoods in northern Ghana especially agricultural and pastoral practices. Such decreases in annual rainfall with erratic patterns are also expressed as drought and flooding posing enormous challenges to local communities to deal with such extreme events. The Government of Ghana (GoG), through the Adaptation Fund financed Program titled “Increased resilience to climate change in northern Ghana through the management of water resources and diversification of livelihoods” aims therefore at addressing climate change-induced decreases in the availability and increasing unpredictability of water resources, and the associated negative impacts of these trends on the livelihoods of rural communities.

The main objective of the programme is to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of rural livelihoods to climate impacts and risks on water resources in the northern region of Ghana. The objective will be achieved through key results centered on the improvement of water access and also increase institutional capacity and coordination for integrated water management to support other uses of water resources especially for the diversification of livelihoods by rural communities. This will be done so by delivering the following four complementary outcomes:

1. Outcome 1: Improved planning and management of water resources taking into account climate change impacts on surface and groundwater sources

2. Outcome 2: Climate resilient management of water resources by communities in Northern Ghana

3. Outcome 3:Enhanced diversification of livelihoods of communities in northern Ghana

The project is executed by the Ministry of Environment, Science, technology and Innovation of Ghana and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in close cooperation with sectoral ministries, NGOs and the private sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Technical services in areas related to community-based capacity building, livelihood assessment, and climate change adaptation and water resource management
Building strategic partnerships
Networking
Substantive technical innovation
Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Under direct supervision of the Project Coordination/Technical Officer, the Project Technical Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Assist in gathering knowledge and data from surveys in relation to scientific research based on the project objectives;
Assist in dissemination of project information reports to and responding to queries from concerned stakeholders;
Participate in site visits to understand the ground situation and prepare field reports,
Assist in the preparation and timely submission of quarterly, progress and annual project implementation review reports and other monitoring reports as may be required;
Assist the project team to conduct post-completion evaluation of the project.
Provide administrative support to the members of the PCU, Technical Working Groups and other consultants in the implementation of their tasks for the achievement of project results;
Maintain records on all project personnel and local consultants and their respective status in accordance with accepted policies and procedures;
Determine need for procurement and supply of office supplies, equipment and establish and maintain office files, logs, index, control index or other information concerning the work under the supervisor’s control, and maintain inventory for repair and maintenance services;;
Assist in prepare requests for advance of funds and/or direct payments and follow-up on timely disbursements, and submit expenditure and program budget status reports;
Assist in responding to queries from the GoG, stakeholders and UNDP with respect to implementation of the project programmes;
Perform as secretary to meetings with partners and stakeholders and to monitor follow up actions on decisions taken;
Prepare routine correspondence and memoranda for Project Director signature.

Competencies

Communicating information and ideas:

Communicating clearly and effectively. Seeking to understand the ideas of others. Facilitating and encouraging open communication. Creating an environment for open communication. Inspiring and persuading others.

Ethics and values:

Taking actions that are congruent with what he/she says. Reliably delivering on promises and honoring commitments made. Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN/UNDP in actions and decisions. Demonstrating an appreciation of differences in values and learning from cultural diversity. Moves from demonstrating sensitivity to encouraging full participation, to leveraging diversity.

Knowledge sharing/continuous learning:

Taking responsibility for self-learning and development. Actively seeking learning and career development opportunities. Promoting organizational learning and knowledge management. Building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Organizational awareness:

Understanding, building and using formal/ informal systems and contacts in a complex organizational and global environment to obtain results. Moves from an ability to use organizational services to assist others, to applying corporate thinking and applying judgment, to building support and finally, demonstrating political acumen.

Self-management and emotional intelligence:

Managing moods, responding effectively to stress, situations of ambiguity or crisis. Managing relationships with others to achieve mutual benefits. Building an emotionally intelligent organization.

Working in teams:

Working effectively with colleagues in ways that allow the achievement of shared objectives. Building teams both within existing organizational structures and outside of them. Creating team spirit and unity of purpose across the business unit.

Functional competencies:

Building strategic partnerships:

Establishing, maintaining, and utilizing a broad network of contacts. Building partnerships and strategic alliances. Leveraging the resources of national governments and other development partners.

Client orientation:

Understanding and meeting or exceeding client needs. Anticipating and addressing client needs and concerns. Developing innovative approaches to meeting client needs. Ensuring overall provision of quality services to clients.

Job knowledge and technical expertise:

Demonstrating and applying professional and/or technical expertise/knowledge of the post or discipline. Focusing on the knowledge and skill areas necessary to effectively perform the functions of the post. Identifying and seeking to expand knowledge and improve work processes.

Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise:

Supporting UNDP’s advocacy by developing innovative and creative approaches to the provision of technical expertise. Moves from research to analysis to developing innovative and creative approach to conceptual leadership and championing conceptual innovation.

Creating visibility for UNDP/supporting UNDP’s capacity to advocate:

Ensuring that UNDP has the visibility and corporate image it requires as the key development actor.

Design and implementation of management systems:

Ensuring that UNDP has the internal management systems it requires as the key development actor

Innovation and marketing new approaches:

Enhance existing processes or products. Developing original and innovative ideas and approaches.

Integration in a multi-disciplinary environment

Promoting accountability and results-based management:

Monitoring and promoting practices, procedures and systems that support accountability and results-based management, while also influencing change in the organizational culture.

Results-based programme development and management.

Effectively managing core and non-core resources to achieve UN development results

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in any area relevant to climate change adaptation projects and programmes: i.e. Natural Resource Management (e.g. water), Environmental Sciences, Economics, Social Sciences, etc. or closely related field;

Experience:

At least five-years of experience in development and environment (climate change)
Demonstrated successful experience in project/programme management experience;
Working experience with ministries and national institutions is an asset;
Previous experience/familiarity with UNDP, international donors or with GEF/UN/AF projects is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Excellent knowledge of English including writing and communication skills and knowledge of one local language of the project implementation areas would be an asset

Technical requirement:

Good analytical skills;
Demonstrated data collection and analytical writing skills
Good skills in project communication (articles, briefing notes,
Initiative and able to work with minimum supervision
Possess team spirit
Ability in utilizing computers, including word processing, spread sheet and other software packages; data base management
Good interpersonal skills, proficient in interacting with Government officials, with international organizations and grassroots level community members
Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search

He/She reports to the Project Coordination officer and likewise as other project staff, she/he is also accountable to the Project Coordination office and UNDP Country Office in Ghana.

Organizational Relationship

He/She shall be based at the Project Coordination Unit at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Disclaimer

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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