By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Project Assistant, Economic Empowerment of Afghan Women, UNDP

Almaty

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Almaty
  • Grade: Administrative support - SB-2 (SC3/SC4), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Economics
    • Administrative support
    • Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

UNDP in Kazakhstan in partnership with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan Country Offices implement a Regional project financed by EU aimed at building a sustained regional collaboration for Afghan women’s economic and social empowerment. The project is expected to play a key role in peace-building and economic development in Afghanistan and the wider region, where shared interests related to connectivity, trade and economic cooperation can facilitate progress. 
 
Hence, the project rests on the assumption that regional security and stability will improve if more women in Afghanistan will be empowered through better jobs and that the chances to obtain such jobs will improve with improved access to better education. 
 
With better qualifications, women are also expected to gain higher-profile private or public sector jobs at decision-making levels. Therefore, the benefits not only include enhanced economic and social status for women but are also expected to produce important role models for women’s unique contributions to sector development and gender equality in society.
 
A triangular approach is deemed to provide for a more efficient delivery of higher education (Master and Bachelor’s degrees and TVET qualifications) due to the proximity and the experience of government and higher education institutions in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The priority sectors, as defined with the Afghan Government will be agriculture, applied statistics and mining, deemed to be growth sectors with particular importance for promoting gender equality. 
 
The project is intended as a pilot that will facilitate the development of a sustainable system of learning mobility that will allow women from Afghanistan to benefit from higher education opportunities in Central Asia also beyond the project lifetime. The project is financed by the European Union, in the amount of 2 million euro.   
 
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, Project Assistant provides logistical and administrative support to the project in compliance with appropriate UNDP policies and procedures. Project assistant works in close collaboration with the programme, projects staff of Programme and Operations Units.
 
Project  Assistant is responsible for the day-to-day implementation and operational support of project activities to ensure timely and efficient support to programme related activities.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Substantive Project Support:
  • Provide operational support to the project and programme management;
  • Prepare requests for direct payment, cash advances, reports on expenses, budget revision and other required supporting documentation for all financial transactions; records these transactions accordingly;
  • Provide logistical support and prepares background materials for use in workshops, seminars, training sessions, meetings, visiting missions, field trips, etc.;
  • Establish and maintains accurate and up-to-date filling system for the documents, keeps information and reference material in a manner which allows easy retrieval;
  • Contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports by collecting information, preparing tables and drafting selected sections;
  • Draft and/or types correspondence, notes, documents, reports, prepares required contracts, keeps the necessary flow of correspondence;
  • Receive telephone calls and visitors concerning the projects, responding directly where appropriate;
  • Prepare unofficial translations and acts as interpreter.
Mission logistics and Workshop logistics:
  • Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, conferences and missions
Travel arrangements:
  • Coordinate and assist in making travel arrangements for participants of events, projects staff in connection with their domestic and international project-related travels;
  • Prepare Requests for Services and Payments in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.
Communication support:
  • Draft external correspondence with projects’ partners and stakeholders, maintain files and assist in the preparation of documentation in advance of and following meetings;
  • Assist in acquisition of letters of co-financing and support from stakeholders;
Procurement:
  • Assist in procurement and recruitment processes; assist the project manager in preparation of ToRs for the consultants;
  • In accordance with the Work Plan arrange for procurement of equipment, supplies and services;
  • Create and manage e-requisitions in ATLAS;
  • Arrange for equipment maintenance and insurance as required;
  • Ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UNDP procedures;
  • Physically clear and ensure delivery of equipment and supplies procured for the various programme sites;
  • Maintain records over project equipment inventory.
Project documentation and filling:
  • Assist in compilation of regular project status reports;
  • Maintain general office files and keep information and reference material in a manner that allows easy reference retrieval.
Any other business:
  • Perform all necessary secretarial services such as photocopying, collection and distribution of incoming mail, dispatching outgoing mail; locating files, etc.;
  • Perform other duties as may be required.
Impact of Results:
  • Overall, the programme will strengthen peace-building and economic development in Afghanistan and the wider region, where shared interests related to connectivity, trade and economic cooperation can facilitate progress. The project intended as a pilot that will facilitate the development of a sustainable system of learning mobility that will allow women from Afghanistan to benefit from higher education opportunities in Central Asia also beyond the project lifetime. 
  • The project expects 50 women to successfully obtain degrees in TVET (20 people), Bachelor’s (10), Masters (10 people) in Kazakhstan, and in Uzbekistan TVET (10 people) by 2025, and get employment opportunities increased upon return to Afghanistan.  

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Professionalism:
  • Solid knowledge of administrative and secretarial work; understanding of financial processes and accounting;
  • Good communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;
  • Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team, as a team member, to build trust, and to manage in a deliberate, transparent and predictable way;
  • Ability to work towards continuing personal learning, act on learning plan and apply newly acquired skills;
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills for preparation of presentations and reports – in English and Russian.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
  • Excellent coordination skills to facilitate internal and external collaboration;
  • Builds strong relationships with stakeholders, focuses on result and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
Knowledge Management and Learning:
  • Ability to synthesize the lessons learnt and choose the best practices;
  • Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to the achievement of the project development objectives;
  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment across projects and countries; trough active participation and contribution to UNDP social and knowledge networks;
  • Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public administration or related field.
Experience:
  • At least 3 years of administrative and/or financial management experience;
  • Proven record of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the area of higher education, community development, local economic development, study abroad scholarships;
  • Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring possible liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders;
  • Excellent computer skills with ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in Russian and English with proven drafting and presentation skills;
  • Knowledge of Kazakh is an asset.

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: