Disability Project Associate - SC6

It is estimated that there is more than 27% increase in the number of persons with disabilities (PWDs) through the years of armed conflict in Syria, reaching up to 2.8 million people suffering from different sort and level of disability.

In response to such situation, UNDP Syria prioritized supporting the resilience of PwDs and pioneered to adopt the human right based approach to disability issues in comparison to the medical or charitable model. In the human rights-based approach, disability is seen as an interaction between functional limitation and environmental barriers (physical and social), thus it addresses not only the impairment of body function but also implies designing interventions within a strategic goal to empower PWDs and enable the social system in which they are situated. 

According to UNDP experience in the field and the results of draft assessment on the situation of disability in Syria, the major challenges being faced while working to promote and support inclusion of PWDs are:

• Health and wellbeing;
• Employability
• Accessibility and;
• Social barriers

It was also noted that the core problem is the lack of human capacities to alleviate the above challenges and enhance service delivery in each domain.

In this regard, UNDP adopted a comprehensive approach consisting of set of services that aims at enhancing the physical and mental wellbeing of PWDs, restoring disrupted livelihoods and enabling the environment they interact within. The overall programme is linked to capacity development initiatives at the different levels that aims at enhancing the capacities of service providers and duty bearers working in the field of supporting PWDs in Syria. 

UNDP Syria Country Office, pledging to leave no one behind in the journey to respond to the humanitarian needs and early recovery for inclusive development, eradication of poverty and ensuring the rights of all, continues to support persons with disabilities building upon the effort and work resulting in an integrated programme consisting of three main tracks to achieve the following outputs that will be implemented in 2019:

• Enhancing PWDs physical and mental wellbeing;
• Enhancing socioeconomic integration and empowerment of PWDs;  
• Enabling the environment for promoting disability inclusion and access to basic services.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director and direct supervision of the economic development and livelihood team leader and disability project manager, the project associate shall assist in the day-to-day management, implementation and successful completion of the projects as directed by the project manager and/or portfolio manager. She/he shall be primarily involved in project activities for the disability programme in addition to assist socioeconomic portfolio in ToR related tasks.     

Under direct supervision from UNDP Syria country office economic development and livelihood portfolio and disability inclusion unit, the project associate prime responsibility is to ensure smooth implementation of all project activities and facilitate the production of the intended results. The project associate’s core values and competencies are an integral part of the selection process.

The Project associate’s main duties and responsibilities are:

• Administration and implementation of disability programme strategies and interventions;
• Preparation of project documents’ drafts, work plans, budgets and proposals;
• Review project proposals and follow-up on compliance and fulfillment of requirements for submission to project approval committees;
• Follow-up on agreements’ signature, national counterparts’ approval and other relevant documents;
• Follow-up on tasks related to payment, preparing procurement documents and timely submission of all necessary documents to facilitate procurement and payments;
• Support procurement process including market research, preparation of specifications, term of references, tenders and evaluation of offers;
• Collect and archive all invoices and receipts and ensure compliance with UNDP finance rules and regulation, and keep financial tracking of all expenses tracked against budget;
• Follow up on projects signed with partners and ensures proper delivery of results and financial disbursements according to plans;
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation tasks in close coordination with project manager and follow up on data entry and progress of delivery;
• Develop and submit progress, analytical and financial reports;
• Maintain filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials and documents;
• Take minutes of meetings as required;

Effective support to the management of the disability programme focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Presentation of thoroughly researched information for formulation of project interventions, specially in the areas of disability rights, social inclusion, psychosocial support and inclusive livelihood socioeconomic support;
• Provision of guidance and orientations to executing organizations on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources;
• Follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports;
• Update and verify the monthly progress in the Information Management and Reporting System in the country office;
• Analysis of the situation in programme, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
• Participate/assist in communications and networking with project partners, NGOs and national counterparts;
• Actively participate in liaising with NGOs, CBOs, local authorities, FBOs, communities’ representatives, and other active stakeholders in coordination with the project manager;
• Support mapping of stakeholders and building partnerships with active partners, UN Agencies, private sector, NGOs/ CBOs and other local partners in coordination with the programme manager and in line with the agreed annual work plan;
• Supports the implementation of communication strategy of UNDP, follow-up on visibility, compile information and stories from the field for communication purposes including success stories, lessons learnt, best practices…etc.;
• Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.

Knowledge management:

• Collect data from studies, assessment, decrees and government projects related to disability to support the analysis of the situation in the area of supporting PWDs and provide input that would feed into strategies, planning processes, reports, and other documents;
• Ensure UNDP workplace is inclusive and promote diversity in the workplace by setting the example through self-initiatives and sharing knowledge and best practices on diverse work environment;
• Support UNDP country office in reviewing and applying inclusive policies in physical, processes and communication areas.

Core:

Innovation:

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership:

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management:

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication:

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery:

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional:

Event, Meeting, and Workshop Facilitation

• Functional.

Budget management

• Functional.

Financial planning and budgeting

• Functional.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Functional.

Logistics

• Technical.

Education:

• High School Diploma is required.
• A first-level university degree in fields of economics, social sciences, administration, or any related study, in combination with 3 years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

Experience:

• 6 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required. Demonstrated background in bringing together – and facilitating coordination among – multiple partners.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English and Arabic.

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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