Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. In VietNam, the Government and UNDP partnership officially started in 1978. Since then, UNDP has been working closely with the Government and other partners to expand the choices for people and ensure that everyone has equalย
access to opportunities to realize their full potentials.ย
The UNDP Vietnam Programme portfolio consists of a mix of national implementation and direct agency ย implementation. In the 2022-2026 period, in adjustment to Vietnamโs Lower Middle-Income context and the overall transition of ODA assistance that is underway, the UN will adjust its assistance to the new environment. UNDP in its new Country Programme will see a gradual transition of its programme portfolio to the new forms of partnershipsย and new programming processes. Programme governance, management and administration will therefore require a high degree of flexibility and agility, with a focus on contribution to offering high quality policy advisory and project implementation services.ย
The Country Programme Document 2022-2026 includes a large portfolio of Climate Change and Environment (CCE), with an estimated budget of 71 million USD. The CCE team are implementing more than 20 on-going projects andย formulating some new projects for submission to GEF, GCF and donors. UNDP apply more Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) in management and implementation of projects and activities, which requires more services from Programme Associates.
The Project Associate (PA) provides support to deliver CO programme and projects of the Climate Change and Environment Unit. Under overall guidance and reports directly to the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR)/ Headย of the Climate Change and Environment Unit. The PA works directly and agree daily tasks with UNDPโs Programme Analysts/Officers (POs) in charge of programs/projects, and collaborates with UNDP programme and operations staff, relevant GOVN and project staff, staff in the CO and UNDP HQs/Regional levels, relevant staff of developmentย partners.ย
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.ย
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Associate (PA) provides support to deliver Country Office programme and projects of the Climate Change and Environment Unit. Under overall guidance and reports directly to the Head of the Climate Change and Environment Unit/Associate to the Resident Representative, the PA works directly and agree daily tasks with UNDPโs Programme Analysts/Officers (POs) in charge of programs/projects, and collaborates with UNDP programme and operations staff, relevant government and project staff, staff in the country office and UNDP HQs/Regional levels, relevant staff of development partners
The Project Associate has following functions:
Provide effective support to management and implementation of CO projects Supports formulation of new projects and resource mobilization Provides financial and administrative support to the Climate change and Environment Unit wide activitiesยProvide effective support to management and implementation of the CO projectsย
Tracking and controlling program/project expenditures/disbursement rate against commitments to ensure the conformity with approved annual workplans and budget, determining gaps between budgets and expenditures, committed and actual allocated funds to advise programme officers for taking actions; supporting operation and financial closure of a project in Quantum. Support to effective Procurement and Recruitment and contract management process as appropriateย Support programme officers in periodic review of project work-plans and advise programme officers and implementing partners on the progress and work-planโs conformity to agreed results and outputs for finalization. Quarterly reviews of National implementation (NIM) Project Advance and Financial Reports (FACE) forms with the approved annual workplan and quarterly workpland and corresponding Activities and Expenditure accounts. Supporting the organization of overseas study tours and monitoring visits, including daily substiance allowance entitlement calculation and transportation. Taking timely corrective actions and unposted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers. Supporting timely operational and financial closure of project, determination of unutilized funds and processing operational/financial closure of projects in Quantum; Support the direct implementation of country office projects, including recruitment of international and national consultants, organizing technical workshops, training activities, consultations, travel arrangements and procurement of goods and services.Provision of guidance on policies and procedures to Implementing partnerss:
Updating programme officers and implementing partners on changes in financial policies, rules and procedures. Providing advises, guidance and on-the-spot couching to NIM project personnel on applicable policies and procedures (UN Harmonized Program and Project Management Guidelines-HPPMG, Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer-HACT, Cost Norms)Quality assurance (HACT, M&E):
Supporting programme officers and implementing partners in day-to-day monitoring and implementation of project activities to ensure the project progress achievement of results and outputs as planned. Providing inputs to the auditing of NIM projects, supporting programme officers and implementing partners in follows-up on timely implementation of audit recommendation; Supporting assessments of technical and financial management capacity (micro assessment) of implementing partners; Supporting spot-checks on implementing partners, supporting the coordination of NIM audits and ensuring effective client liaisonย Supporting project mid-term reviews and final evaluation including recruitment or consultants, arrangement of working missions/interviews, collecting information and relevant documents, liaising with concerned parties.Supports formulation of new projects and resource mobilization:
Support Programme Officers/experts in collection, analysis and presentation of financial background information for preparation of UN and UNDP documents such as UN One Strategic Plan, Country Programme Document, etc Contribution to (i) the planning/budgeting of the project formulation process, (ii) preparation of project document and (iii) appraisal processes, ensuring effective liaison with partners in this regard; Supports to effective procurement and recruitment and contract management process for project idea/proposal development; Support to financial management of the grants/facilities for the formulation of project ideas and proposals;ย Entering approved project proposal into the UNDP online management system โ Quantum - for project award generation; creation of projects including project activities and budgets in Quantum, revision of project award and project status when required and delegated. Tracking and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Quantum. Assist liaison and partnership activities with funding partners.Provides financial and administrative support to the Climate Change and Environment Unit wide activitiesย - Overall budget and Finance (as required and arrangement among Project Associates)
Support Unit Head in planning and managing the direct project costing (DPC) and tracking incomes and expenditure relating to staff costs of the Unit;ย Analyze and monitor overall program financial situation in consultation with Unit Head, Programme Officers and project staff. Report on program/project financial expenditures and alert Unit Head and Programme ย Officers on shortfalls and over-expenditures; Liaise closely with Finance Unit and Programme Support Unit for tracking overall expenditures in relation to commitments and report on delivery status to Unit Head; Maintain and update the CCE pipeline project in the system; Serve as the focal point for financial, administrative, operation or substantive matters within the unit or for the Country Office, as needed; this includes Spot Check, M&E, Audit preparation, retreat, trainings, project profiles, etc., as required.ยInitiation Plans (as required and arrangement among Project Associates)
Support project formulation, planning, budgeting, management and implementation of these specific projects; Co-ordinate all mandatory and rephasing exercises. Initiate budget revisions, in line with available resources. Make necessary adjustments at the requests of project authorities;ย Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that voucher processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum; Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, matchยexceptions and unapproved vouchers; Creation of requisitions in Quantumfor development projects, register of goods receipt in Quantum. Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers;
Serve as the Compliance (M&E) Focal Point: (as required and arrangement among PAs) Support to timely monitoring and actions towards satisfactory scorecard performance for the officeย
Play a role of M&E focal point (Planning, Monitoring and Evaluatingโฆ); Provide support for Pre-PAC & LPAC in conformity with COโs SOPs/guideline; Follow and update the Project Risk log, SES Timely reminding PO/PA on project ending date and support procedures for closure if needed.ยServe as the HACT focal point (as required and arrangement among PAs)
HACT compliance consists of micro assessment, financial spot-checks, documentation of programme meetings/visits/meetings; Vertical Fund compliance includes check-lists of new projects, time sheets- allocation of time to GEF, GCF projects by senior management and related staff. Provide support for Audit preparationยCCE Admin and other relevant work (as required and arrangement among Project Associates)
Support to timely monitoring and actions towards satisfactory scorecard performance for the office;ย Contact and liaise with counterparts for meetings, workshop, partnership development, etc.; Support to timely monitoring and actions towards satisfactory scorecard performance for the office; Serve as the focal point for financial, administrative, operation or substantive matters within the unit or for the Country Office, as needed; this includes Spot Check, M&E, Audit preparation, retreat, trainings, project profiles, etc.; Support in organization and facilitation of Unit events and activities;ย Support documentation and dissemination of lessons lesson learntThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ย
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 improvementsย 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 flexibleย 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 discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Audit & Investigationย
Financial and Managerial Accounting and Finance key concepts. Key concepts and principles of financial accounting,ย interpret financial analysis, managerial accounting, etc Procurement concepts, processes, and management. Knowledge of procurement processes and management.Financeย
Accounting (General) Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations. ย Finance Budget management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets. Financial planning and budgeting. Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting.Business Development
Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchangeAdministration & Operations
Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings). Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etcRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary Education is required. University degree (Bachelorsโ degree) in accounting, business or public administration, economics, social sciences, or related fields will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.Experience:
Minimum seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with Bachelorsโ degree) of progressively responsible finance and administrative or programme/project implementation support experience is required;ย Experience in usage of Excel and accounting spreadsheets/ software/systems/ handling of web-based management systems;ย Experience in budget planning, financial management and reporting, and procurement Demonstrated working experience in organizing and successfully delivering high-level political events;ย Knowledge of UNDP programme practices and experience working with UN administration is an asset; Basic understanding of climate change, disaster risk reduction and environmentRequired languages:
Fluency in English and Vietnamese is requiredEqual 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.
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UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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