Background
Since 2015, Yemen has been experiencing one of the world's worst protracted humanitarian and development crises. GDP per capita declined from USD1,557.6 in 2014 to USD 650.3 in 2022 (World Bank). The war has caused government fragmentation, severe economic decline, food insecurity, damage to infrastructure, the collapse of essential services, and 4.5 million people are estimated to remain displaced (OCHA 2023). As per the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan, 18.2 million people โ more than half of the entire population - require some form of humanitarian aid and protection, over 17.6 million people were food insecure. Due to the conflict and other factors, Yemen has increasingly relied upon food imports to feed its people. The Port of Aden under the Yemen Gulf of Aden Ports Corporation (YGAPC) and the Port of Mukalla under the Yemen Arabian Sea Ports Corporation (YASPC) form essential maritime facilities aiding humanitarian activities in Yemen. The ports serve as the main gateway for all cargo entering Yemen. The Port of Aden receives around 50 ships per month carrying fuel, food (90 per cent of Yemenโs food is imported), construction materials and other goods. The Port of Mukalla, in 2020, was handling 40,000 TEU per year. Both ports have been affected by the protracted conflict and lack of maintenance. Due to the absence of investment, spare parts, maintenance, and outdated systems for port operations, both ports have limited capacity to handle incoming vessels, leading to excessive anchorage and berthing times. This initiative intends to enhance anchorage and berthing capacities at the Ports of Aden and Mukalla by reducing average monthly waiting times. The project aims at strengthening the operational capacity of the Ports of Aden and Mukalla through the rehabilitation of damaged facilities and procurement of necessary parts and equipment to contribute to the efficient and cost-effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni population.
UNDP Yemen seeks to hire anย Operations Associateย to support the implementation of the project described above.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, theย Operations Associateย will provide support and services ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. She/He will work in close collaboration with the project staff, operations, and programme as required to exchange information and support project delivery as guided by the Project Manager.
ย
Key Functions:
Assist and support the project team through compiling information with the procurement processes including preparation, and conduct of Requests for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation to Bid (ITB) or Request for Proposal (RFP), receipt of quotations, bids, or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations. Assist the project team with the purchase of materials for the project through the procurement department and the preparation of purchase orders and contracts, ensuring their accuracy, completeness, and clarity. Ensure that all POs are duly prepared and dispatched, and that timely corrective actions are taken on POs with budget check errors or other issues. Where applicable, ensure that procurement processes consider gender-responsive criteria and promote equitable participation of suppliers, including women-owned and gender-inclusive enterprises Support and assist in the logistics preparation of training sessions, events, workshops, meetings, and other activities pertaining to project work, ensuring that these activities are planned and implemented in a gender-sensitive manner, promoting inclusive participation, and addressing the specific needs of all genders. Perform financial duties related to the implementation of the activities for the programme development and submit progress financial reports to UNDP in accordance with the reporting schedule. Support in the programme tasks as the Secretariat for the Projectsโ Board (calling for meetings, preparing and distributing an agenda, steering discussions, writing the minutes of meetings, following up on decisions, keeping members informed on progress, etc.), ensuring that all communications and processes are gender-sensitive and promote inclusive participation and representation of all genders in decision-making Financial resources management: Contribute to the management of the projectโs components financial resources including the preparation/updates of the projects` work and budget plans, record keeping, accounting, and reporting by the key Implementing Partners; share accountability and prepare all necessary financial reports to accompany the project's quarterly and annual work plans and reports by participating fully in the process of quarterly and annual planning of the programme activities. Theย incumbentย performs otherย dutiesย withinย theirย functionalย profileย asย deemed necessaryย forย theย efficientย functioning ofย theย Officeย and theย OrganizationCompetencies Core ย
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineThink Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsยLearn Continuously
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackAdapt with Agilityย
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determinationย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentEngage and Partner
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsEnable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationยCross-Functional & Technical Competencies: Thematic Area Name Definition Administration & Operations Documents and records management Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving. Administration & Operations Events management (including retrerats, trainings and meetings) Support office with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc. Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clientsโ immediate requests.ย Ability to anticipate clientโs upcoming needs and concerns. Business management Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed. 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. Business management Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making. 2030 Agenda: People Gender UNDPโs Gender Equality Seal Initiative
Required Skills and Experience Education requirements
Minimum of Secondary education or; Bachelorโs degree in business or public administration, or related filed will be given a due consideration but not a requirement.ย Min. years of relevant work experienceย At least 7 years relevant experience associated with secondary education is required or at least 4 years of relevant experience associated with university degree is required in the operations or any relevant related field is requiredRequired Skills
Proven ability in work plan preparation. Excellent and demonstrated communication, consultation, negotiation, and writing skills ย Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of automated procurement. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section Previous experience with UNDP or other UN organizations would be a strongย advantage. Proven organizational, financial, inventory, and budgetary skills as well as familiarity with financial and technical rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to budget management, implementation, and optimal cost recovery is an advantage.ย Good working knowledge of and demonstrated ability in project management. Experience in the use of (Resource Management Systems) such as Atlas and/or Quantum.ย
Required Language(s) Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic required. Professional Certificates NA>
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
ย