Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be launching a comprehensive Justice Sector Reform Joint Programme supported by the European Union. The Programme contains a holistic package of support to the Justice sector in Sri Lanka spanning Civil, Criminal, Commercial and Alternative Dispute Resolution sectors that will be implemented by UNDP and support for Justice for Children Sector implemented by UNICEF. The Programme is designed to offer a holistic and flexible package of support to address the gaps within the justice system, strengthen the capacities across the sector, (including on skills, legal reform, case management processes, data, infrastructure etc.), strengthen civil society engagement with and within the sector, and promote judicial reforms in line with international standards and best practices. The Project developed in close collaboration with sector stakeholders, adopts a three-pronged approach; 1) Strengthening Access to Justice (including through legal aid, language mainstreaming, greater awareness of rights and responsibilities) 2) Strengthening transparency and credibility within the sector (including through data collection, analysis and dissemination) and 3) Improving quality and efficiency within the sector (including through age-appropriate Justice for Children, improved skills, legislative reform in line with international standards, a strengthened alternate dispute resolution mechanism and improved coordination within the sector). The Project will contribute to Sri Lanka achieving SDG 16 (which is a key enabler for realizing SDGs 1-15) as it aims to ‘promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels’. It will also contribute to the achievement of SDG 10 "Reduce inequality within and among countries" and SDG 5 "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.

The Project builds on the strategic partnership between the EU and the UN in the area of governance, which includes cooperation in justice and the rule of law. The Project will be jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. UNDP has been supporting the justice sector in Sri Lanka (on both the demand and supply side) since 2004 with a focus on criminal justice). On account of the unique, long-standing role UNDP has played, UNDP will play the lead technical and coordination role of the Project. UNDP’s SDG 16 Portfolio – Inclusive Governance and Peacebuilding contributes to improve ability of justice sector institutions to deliver people-centered services, especially upholding the rights of excluded and vulnerable groups. The portfolio builds on UNDP’s long-standing work and partnerships with national justice sector institutions, independent commissions and state and non-state service-providers. UNICEF will provide technical support to the Justice for Children Sector through its Child Protection team, who will build on over a decade of work on reform of the child protection system, as well as international expertise in this area. Thousands of children across Sri Lanka interact with justice systems every year as victims, witnesses, and perpetrators. UNICEF will build on the recommendations of the Child Justice System Review (2017) and its strong relationships with Government and CSO partners to modernize the sector and bring it in-line with Best Interest Principles and other international standards.

The four year Project, will be implemented at national level with a 6-month inception phase during which a series of consultations will take place with national counterparts, sector professionals, academics, civil society to determine priorities for action. The main target groups and beneficiaries of the Project are key justice sector institutions, inter alia the Chief Justice, Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute, Ministry of Justice (MOJ)Attorney General’s Department (AGD), Government Analyst’s Department (GAD), Legal Draftsman’s Department (LDD), Judicial Medical Service (JMS), Police Department, Prisons Department, State Ministry of Women and Child Development (MOWCD), Department of Probation and Child Care Services (DPCCS) and National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), Independent Commissions and institutions including the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL), National Police Commission (NPC), Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Legal Aid Commission (LAC), National Authority for Victims of Crimes and Witnesses (NVWPA), Civil Society Organizations, academic and research institutions such as universities and law colleges, Bar Association of Sri Lanka and media, general population, including in particular the poor and persons in vulnerable situations (Women, Children, Internally Displaced Persons, Persons With Disabilities.

In light of this, UNDP is seeking to hire three Project Associates (Finance & Administration) to the support the implementation of the Project as more fully described below.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Project Operations Manager (Support to Justice Sector in Sri Lanka)

Support effective project implementation focusing on the achievement of the following results:

  • Supports the Project Manager and Technical Specialists on activities outlined for the Project.
  • Actively participates in the preparation of work plans and operation plans as well as procurement plans for projects.
  • Coordinates the timely submission of progress reports and assist with data entry, and the preparation of charts, graphs, and periodic progress reports.
  • Supports and facilitates external assessment teams, advocacy and knowledge sharing fore, training programmes, audits, donor assessments and missions; and
  • Reviews agreements/proposals, tracks the use of project resources, follow-up on progress; and
  • Networks and mobilizes with the justice sector institutions or technical working groups under the guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor/Technical Specialists.
Administrative, Financial and Logistical support to the project Office focusing on the achievement of the following results:
  • Maintain up-to-date files and records of project documentation.
  • Submission of proper supporting documents for requests for payments and filing of documents in the required formats and standards.
  • Liaison work between the CO and the operations team.
  • Drafting and submission of required reports and other documentation in a qualitative manner to be submitted to the Project Manager and Technical Specialists and liaison with the Project Management Unit as required.
  • Ensure the timely and smooth implementation of all project logistics.
  • Maintenance of required administrative records – e.g. time sheets/attendance sheets, leave reports, overtime statements, travel documents, etc.
  • Administrative, secretarial and logistical support to conduct of meetings, conferences, workshops and training programmes.
  • Maintain good rapport with the Government Offices, and other partners in the designated area, to enable continuous smooth working relationships with them; and
  • Custodian for management of office stationery supplies including maintenance of stock list of stationery, distribution of stationery as required by staff and keeping a log of distribution.

Support communication and knowledge management of the Project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

  • Participation in the training for the Project staff on administration and Programme matters; and
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies
Core Competencies:
  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.
Cross-functional & Technical Competencies:
  • Gender: Gender Mainstreaming.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Bachelors Degree in Business, Public Administration, Finance, Project Management or Economics or Secondary Education (G.C.E. Advance Level) with 3 additional years of work experience .
Experience:
  • Bachelors Degree in Business, Public Administration, Finance, Project Management or Economics with 3 years’ experience in supporting the implementation of project in the development sector or Secondary Education (G.C.E. Advance Level) with 6 years including 3 years’ experience in supporting the implementation of projects, in the development sector.
  • Advance Usage of computers and office software package (MS Word, Excel etc.) and knowledge of database packages and experience in handling of web-based management systems is an asset.
  • Experience in handling general project administration and management of logistics is an advantage.
  • Demonstrated capacity to undertake assigned responsibilities and work under pressure is desirable.
  • Previous working experience with EU funded projects is an asset.
  • Previous working experience in the UN System or in the development sector is an asset.
Language Requirement:
  • Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil with excellent English communication skills.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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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