Project Associate (Support to Anti-Corruption Efforts in Kosovo III Project) NPSA6

(Information on the project)

SAEK III will supports the implementation of mandates stemming from the new anti-corruption legislation and effective progressing towards repatriation of stolen assets, while completing a robust corruption prevention system.

SAEK III contributes to advancing gender equality and poverty reduction, while applying the approach of its 6-signature solution (SS), as follows: SS 1 - Keeping people out of poverty, SS 2 - Strengthen effective, inclusive and accountable governance and SS 6 - Strengthen gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. 

SAEK III, through a three-tier approach supports the policy, structural and capacity level, towards achieving the following sustainable results:

• Fulfilment of technical and legal requirements for the effective implementation of anti-corruption laws and strategies such as anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and related action plans.
• Establishment of a legal and institutional framework for coordinated prosecutor led joint investigations of financial crime; improved effectiveness in asset recovery; enhanced investigative journalism and coordination among public institutions at the central and local levels; further strengthening of Kallxo.com online platform for reporting corruption allegations; 
• Trained investigators on asset recovery and an established asset recovery structure mandated to track down stolen assets and conduct thorough financial crime investigations.

Scope of Work 

Under the direct supervision of the SAEK Project Manager, the Project Associate will execute duties and responsibilities outlined below:

Support project implementation

• Coordinating the administrative and operational elements of the project staff and office work;
• Support project implementation by administering and executing assigned processes and transactions. 
• Review requests /transactions for compliance with plans, rules and processes and allocations; processing requests, researching information; identification and proposal of course of action for decision;
• Ensure efficient exchange of information between the UNDP Kosovo office and project team.
• Preparation for audit of project and implementation of audit recommendation.
• Undertake project visits, monitor activities and ensure compliance with UNDP rules and procedures
• Draft letters and assist with preparation of all types of agreements for the project

Support to project financial monitoring and management

• Maintain budgets and resources availability tables, examining monthly financial reports and preparing summaries or analyses related to the reports;
• Preparation and modifications of budgets for project, coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises and follow up with UNDP office on all financial transactions related to project
• Implementation of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status versus ASL.
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers for reconciliation. 
• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for the project;
• Prepare project financial statements and manage project budgets, monitor expenditures against established allocations;
• Provide specialized process delivery in a specific administrative service, prepare periodic financial reports and ensuring consistency and timeliness of delivery;

Administrative and operational support to project implementation, ensuring quality of business processes;

• Participate, as required, in interview process as secretary of the panel, contact candidates and ensure that supporting documents are completed for submission of the request for contract to UNDP Kosovo office;
• Accurate, thoroughly researched and fully documented work to facilitate subsequent action by a supervisor.   
• Maintain and file records, documents and work plans for the monitoring of project implementation
• Assist with organizing events and arranging meetings and missions; travel claims, and other entitlements are duly processed

Miscellaneous

• Assist the project team in preparation of annual work plan(s);
• Prepare the procurement plan in cooperation with the Project Manager; update the inventory list; assist in purchase of the project equipment and ensure maintenance as needed;
• Preparation of RDPs for project expenses, timely and accurate entry in Quantum, timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by the PM and timely accounts closure;

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Institutional Arrangement: 

The Project Associate works under the general supervision of the Project Manager.

Competencies

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Minimum Education requirements:   
-Secondary education is required, or  
-BA Degree in finance, business, economy, or a related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:    
A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required.

Required skills:    
-Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
-Provenk record on budget preparation, tracking, and revision, analysis of expenditures and forecast is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:   
-Experience on budget preparation, analysis of expenditures, and forecast
-Experience in preparation of financial reports and overviews 
-Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools 
-Knowledge of project management processes 
-Knowledge of procurement procedures of national / international organizations

Required Language(s):    
-Fluency in both English and Albanian language is required.
-Serbian is considered an asset. 

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.