Project Associate

UNDP is the development agency of the United Nations and is present in over 170 countries. In Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), UNDP is represented by 18 offices and the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). IRH is an advisory hub for the region that provides policy and advisory support and implements projects at the regional level with a wide range of partners. The goal is to connect the region to a global network of development experts, build knowledge and capacity, and forge partnerships to address the development challenges of a large and diverse region. IRH also seeks to capture and disseminate development successes and best practices in the region and to improve the impact of UNDP's work through effective communication and advocacy.

IRH's Inclusive Growth Team focuses on reducing poverty, inequality, and promoting social inclusion and sustainable financing for equitable solutions.

In cooperation with the European Commission/DG NEAR), and the World Bank (WB), UNDP will carry out  the first-ever multi-country survey on the socio-economic vulnerabilities of Roma in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The quantitative and qualitative survey is expected to create a baseline statistical evidence to raise awareness of different drivers contributing to Roma exclusion and to inform targeted policy efforts that can tackle the underlying causes of vulnerabilities and exclusion of Roma in the three countries covered by the survey. Collected evidence will be instrumental for designing relevant policies and for establishing a coherent framework for monitoring the progress in social inclusion of Roma. 

Considering that as of June 2022 Moldova and Ukraine became candidate countries for the EU membership, and Georgia was recognized a status of ‘perspective’ member, the data and information generated by this Action will enable the three countries to document and demonstrate their commitment to helping Roma populations realize their rights, and as such can also be considered as helping the countries ensure conformity with the EU Roma Strategic Framework. 

The project envisages fielding i) a quantitative geo-tagged household survey in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine; ii) completing a contextualized qualitative survey for in-depth investigation of selected topics related to Roma social and economic exclusion, including of Roma refugees and IDPs in Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia; and iii) constructing a digital socio-economic vulnerability index of Roma and non-Roma communities in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The project is directly implemented by UNDP via the Istanbul Regional Hub, in close cooperation with UNDP country offices in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. 

The present Project Associate (PA) position is established under the Inclusive Growth Team (IGT) with the purpose to provide support to the project management requirements of the above referenced project; as well as other activities related to the Inclusive Growth Team portfolio. 

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Project Manager and the overall guidance and oversight of the Regional Inclusive Growth Team Leader, the PA provides support to administrative and finance services ensuring high quality of work, accurate, timely, and properly recorded/documented service delivery. The PA works in close collaboration with the operations team in the three country offices covered with the project and the short-term consultants. The position requires a high level of self-initiative and learning motivation.

Supports management and implementation of regional projects focusing on the achievement of following results:

• Ensures creation of projects in Quantum, enters budget revisions, revisions of project award and project status, determines unutilized funds and donor balances, carries out operational closure of projects.
• Compiles donor financial reports, monitors use of cost sharing funds and other resources. Tracks and reports on mobilized resources.
• Generates Combined Delivery Reports (CDRs), checks for correctness and uploads into the project management system. Generates financial transaction detail reports. Communicates with UNDP HQ on financial matters as required.
• Facilitate implementation of project activities related to organization of events and trainings, and procurement of consultancy services and equipment.
• Drafts standard correspondence for project implementation.
• Compiles data and evidence for preparation of narrative project reports.
• Maintains project files in Quantum and other document management systems.
• Provides support in ad-hoc project administrative and operational issues and provides information within UNDP. 

Provides effective administrative and operational support focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Maintains an internal expenditure control system including timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers, journal vouchers. Makes budget check for requisitions and vouchers.
• Prepares Non-PO and purchase orders (PO) based vouchers in Quantum.
• Assists in procurement and contracting processes. Compiles contract documentation.
• Prepares documents for the HR unit as well as for the Contracts, Assets and Procurement Panel (CAP) meetings.
• Contributes to the preparation of the projects’ recruitment and procurement plans.
• Assists in organization of internal meetings, drafts minutes as required.
• Provides administrative support to the staff of the team as requested.
• Support to arrangement of travel, preparation of travel authorizations, and support by processing requests for visas.
• Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing.
• Assists preparation of reports by synthesizing lessons learnt and good practices in project implementation.
• Contributes to and administers events and spaces pertaining to UNDP knowledge networks.
• Assists the preparation of training materials.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate reports to Regional Project Manager of the Multi-country Survey on the socio-economic vulnerabilities of Roma in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

• 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 and Technical competencies:

• Business Development-Knowledge generation      
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Business Management-Communication     
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
• Administration and operations- Events management (including retreats, trainings, and meetings)   
  • Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
• Administration and operations-Travel policy and procedures    
  • Knowledge of travel policy and procedures, ability to interpret travel policy, the Staff Rules, administrative circulars and financial regulations and rules on travel related matters.
• Finance-Budget management          
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
• Finance-Financial reporting and analysis  
  • Understands changes in regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. 
  • Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings, and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. 
  • Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social, and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance.
• Procurement-Procurement management   
  • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.