Background
The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) Phase II Project in Uzbekistan โ is a part of the UNDP global programme that developed, piloted, and is continuously improving a methodology to measure existing biodiversity expenditure levels, assess future financial needs, and design comprehensive plans to use finance tools and solutions that increase financing, effectiveness and efficiency of biodiversity management in 60+ countries. The primary objective of BIOFIN project in Uzbekistan is to help key national partner government organization โ the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, mobilize sufficient resources to implement their national biodiversity policies. This is achieved through: (i) Biodiversity Finance Policy and Institutional Review to identify the most relevant stakeholders, map subsidies harmful to biodiversity, identify barriers in the national budgeting process and produce an inventory of existing finance solutions; (ii) Biodiversity Expenditure Review to assess the biodiversity relevance of major programmes and organizations, provide guidance to determine accurate attribution levels, and identify challenges for financial delivery; (iii) Financial Needs Assessment to determine which policies outline the national biodiversity needs, prioritize and cost their activities; and (iv) The Biodiversity Finance Plan, the flagship output carrying forward all findings and recommendations of previous assessments, identifying the optimal mix of prioritized finance solutions and (v) elaborating a business case for adopting and further implementation of these finance solutions.
Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia (Phase III) Project โ is aimed at reducing the risk of negative impacts resulting from uranium waste on people, livelihoods, and the environment by raising awareness and supporting people-centric, gender sensitive, and risk-informed solutions in uranium legacy sites at the local community level in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Achieving this objective involves the implementation of a focused public advocacy and outreach campaign, building upon the successful awareness-raising efforts of the previous two phases. Additionally, the project aims to strengthen national and cross-border cooperation in uranium legacy remediation while executing targeted socio-economic interventions at the community level to reduce the risk of Uranium Legacy Sites (ULSs) in vulnerable communities. Realizing the project objective hinges on ensuring public consultations and participation, coupled with active engagement from local authorities, academia, and local NGOs/CSOs.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Administrative Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Managers and provide administrative and financial services to ensure high quality, accuracy, and consistency in work. The Project Administrative Associate will work closely with national partners, the project, the operations, and program departments of the UNDP office through the following roles and responsibilities:
Be responsible for logistics, travel arrangements, and hiring project staff, in accordance with corporate rules and UNDP requirements; support the organization of meetings and workshops; Encouraging understanding and promotion of gender equality among project staff and partners; On the basis of consultations with the project manager and the UNDP Business Center, carry out the procurement in accordance with the rules and procedures of the UNDP; Preparation of all financial and administrative documents related to the implementation of the project in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures, assistance with work-planing, preparation of budget and budget revisions, reporting on costs and obligations, preparation of reports on cofounding; Preparation of quarterly and annual budget plans for recruiting staff; execution and storage of financial statements, and maintenance of the monitoring system for recording the corresponding expenses, balances, payments and other data on daily financial activities and preparation of reports; Assistance to project staff, experts and consultants in matters of financial costs, advance payments, transportation costs and other financial and administrative costs, preparation and authorization of payments for the services provided; Preparation of detailed cost estimates, participation, if necessary, in budget analysis and forecasting to support the financial operations of the project, alignment of all accounts within the required time frame; Processing, updating the list and keeping records of intangible assets in accordance with UNDP requirements; Execution of duties of a cashier, responsibility for the distribution of the project-based cash flow, keeping records of the cash book and payment orders of regional divisions; Monitoring of vacations of project employees, checking the correctness and appropriate filling of the monthly report card on the presence at the workplace, vacations, absences at the work place due to illness, etc.; Analyzing potential administrative and financial issues and taking the necessary steps to ensure that sufficient resources are available to carry out the tasks assigned to the project; Identifying effective measures to optimize the use of project resources; Ensuring full compliance of administrative and financial processes and financial reporting with the UNDP requirements, policy and strategy;The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of Project Managers and in close collaboration with relevant project partners, the Project Administrative Associate will be responsible for the implementation of the project activities aimed at building national capacities for sustainable rural development by pursuing integrated planning and implementation of innovative solutions.ย
Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.ย Learn Continuously:ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.ย Act with Determination: ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner:ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Strategic Thinking:ย ย ย Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. Knowledge Generation:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Integration within the UN:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. Communication:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 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.ย ยAbility to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. Event planning and execution:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate. Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings):ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Experience:
Minimum 7 years with Secondary education OR; Minimum 4 years with Bachelorโs degree of relevant experience in a project administration.Required Skills:
Previous experience with UNDP or UN project will be a definite asset. Strong financial and administrative skills, result and client-orientation, ability to work in a team.Desired Skills:
Proven/previous experience in project planning, execution, monitoring, coordinating activities, maintaining work plans and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures will be an asset/advantage. Proven/previous experience in budget tracking, procurement processes, financial reporting, handling operational tasks, maintaining project documentation and ensuring smooth workflow will be an asset/advantage Proven/previous experience in liaising with government agencies, donors, partners, preparing reports, presentations and project briefs to support decision-making and knowledge sharing will be an asset/advantage. Proficiency in the use of computer software applications particularly MS Excel.ย Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty.ย Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource. Experience in handling web-based management systems. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to prioritize.Required Languages:
Fluency in English and Uzbek. Good command of Russian is desirable.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