Project Associate in Damascus

syrian arab republic

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: syrian arab republic
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Administrative support
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: 2023-05-24

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

UNDP aims to support interventions on inclusive and sustainable private sector recovery targeted at both strengthening local market systems and improving the position of crisis-affected people. The underpinnings of private sector activities—including a business-friendly policy environment, access to finance and markets, capacity, and infrastructure—are heavily damaged, destroyed, or in an early stage of development in Syria. As a result, markets tend to favour existing elites and to reinforce established patterns of inequality and social exclusion. When obstacles can be overcome, the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector can be the most resilient part of the economic recovery process, with the potential to generate broad-based employment and income generation. UNDP aims at both strengthening local market systems and improving the provision of crisis-affected people and communities that are adversely affected by the conflict.

The private sector/MSMEs support and development project aims to support both start-up, recovery and acceleration of new and existing MSMEs. Support includes entrepreneurship training and support, through business acceleration/incubation services with advance business training, access to market and access to finance. Also, UNDP promotes supportive initiatives of social enterprises with a high potential for competitiveness, job creation and social innovation, focusing on the needs of communities, and specialized workshops targeting new and/or existing businesses. The approaches also include innovative entrepreneurship development such as innovation challenges, hackathon, and freelancing. Women are particularly targeted under this activity through supporting women-led businesses.

Under direct supervision from UNDP Syria country office economic development and livelihood portfolio and private sector/MSMEs support and development unit; the Projects Associate (Access to finance project associate-A2F) prime responsibility is to ensure smooth implementation of projects activities with focus of A2F and facilitate the production of the intended results. The A2F projects associate’s core values and competencies are an integral part of the process.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the preparation of background information for projects formulation, including workplans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements in line with the general strategy of the UNDP Private Sector/MSMEs support and development unit.
Assistance in preparation/reviews of project-related documents and quarterly/annual project reviews and ongoing monitoring, drafts standard correspondence and presentations on project implemented under PS/MSMEs component.
Support the work of Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC) when it reviews the practice submissions.
Review project proposals submitted under PS/MSMEs support unit by field offices and follow-up on compliance and fulfillment of requirements for submission for approval.
Support Program Specialist in conducting research, studies and relevant analysis and develop technical policy advice and program documents that responds to needs on MSMEs recovery and business development and contribute to financial inclusion.
Support the program specialist in conducting dialogue sessions and conferences that enhance the participation of the private sector to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.
Provides support to the management of day to day activities implemented under A2F component, with due regard to prevailing standards and best practice.
Monitors quality of delivery of inputs provided by the consultants, beneficiaries and contracted companies and NGOs partners.
Supports AWP delivery, identifying issues, providing early warning of delivery blockages, and working with other units to ensure smooth delivery.
Follow up with field offices on collecting human stories, ensuring donor’s visibility, and documentation of lessons learned.
Conduct monitoring and evaluation tasks in close coordination with project manager and follow up on data entry and progress of delivery.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act With Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Entrepreneurial Thinking: Ability to create clarity around UNDP Value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to Develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate
Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the organization’s business process in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings): Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Financial and Process Innovation: Financial and business process engineering expertise required to innovate, design, change and implement new financial business models, financial instruments, financing opportunities, business processes, policies and procedures, and technological solutions

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

High School Certificate, or, First-level University degree in fields of economics, social sciences, administration, or any other related field.

Experience Knowledge and Skills:

At least 6 years for High School Certificate Holders or 3 years for Bachelor’s Degree Holders of progressively responsible experience in business development services, microfinance, grant management, and capacity building or any related field are required at the national or international level.
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 is required.
Experience in the field of financial and none-financial business support is required.
Proven knowledge of the current context in private sector environment in Syria is required.
Proven Experience in strategy building and planning is desirable
Proven Experience in the design and implementation of context sensitive and participatory approaches as part of socioeconomic recovery is desirable.
Proven Experience in project cycle management is an asset.
Proven Experience in Knowledge management and communication is an asset.
Proven Experience in Partnership building and coordination with different stakeholders is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic

Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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