Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:
- Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as โinternalโ candidates)ย
- Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts
- Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Background
The Republic of Moldova has gone through a significant socio-economic transition since its independence in 1991 and has only in the last decade sustained economic growth. The Moldovan economy is not very diversified and vulnerable to climate conditions.ย
The climate in the Republic of Moldova has over the last 130 years become warmer and drier, and future climate projections indicate towards an even drier, semi-arid climate.ย Moldova ranks as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in Europe and it is projected that the impacts of climate change on the countryโs social, environmental and economic dimensions will intensify in the medium- to long- term.ย
Moldova has shown a commitment to addressing climate change through various international agreements. The country submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2020 and developed the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in 2023.ย The country is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and the updated NDC reflects a more ambitious approach to GHG reduction, sustainable energy transition, and sector-specific adaptation strategies. Country will launch the updated NDC in 2025.ย Moreover, Moldova's NDC update aligns with the EUโs climate goals, especially considering its association agreement with the European Union. The inclusion of vulnerable groups such as women, Indigenous Peoples, and low-income populations in decision-making and benefit-sharing is another priority, ensuring a just transition in addressing climate impacts.
The Ministry of Environment (MoE) is responsible for environmental protection, climate change and natural resources. Sectoral ministries oversee sector policies and plans. The National Commission on Climate Change (NCCC) is an inter-institutional body headed by the Prime-Minister, with a mandate to promote and coordinate climate change policy implementation.
Moldova made progress in combating climate change with an ambitious policy and legal framework. However, additional support is needed for Moldova to advance the climate neutral pathways across all sectors of the economy, to build country resilience, and to fully align itself with EU and global climate change agreements and requirements. This pertains specifically to support for the coordination of climate action through the National Commission on Climate Change (NCCC) which has been largely non-operational thus far. Planning and mainstreaming of climate action in the main policies, strategies and budgets of key sectors is also lacking. Lack of financing further hinders effective climate action. Knowledge management on climate action in Moldova is also not up to speed, because lack of updated and evidence-based data, as well as effective tools and platforms for dissemination of knowledge and data.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Associate in close cooperation with the project team, under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, will ensure theย efficient administration of the Project assigned, as well as support the Project Managers in Project implementation and reporting.ย
The specific duties and responsibilities of the Project Associate during the assignment will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Assist in efficient delivery of the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
- Undertake administrative, logistical, travel, procurement, financial and asset management tasks in full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and policies;
Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapt processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Full compliance with respective UNDP and donor rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations;ย Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.ย Personal initiative to perform daily work timely, efficiently, and in compliance with established rules and plans; Keep abreast of UNDP rules and regulations in the area of responsibility and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning;ย Provide regular updates to the Project Manager and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately.Provide financial support to the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:
Assist the project team in drafting project progress reports with financial data; Assist project management in performing budget cycle: planning, preparation, revisions, and budget execution; Provide assistance to partner agencies involved in project activities, performing and monitoring financial aspects to ensure compliance with budgeted costs in line with established policies and procedures;ย Monitor project expenditures, ensuring that no expenditure is incurred before it has been authorized; Perform preparatory work for mandatory and general budget revisions, annual physical inventory, auditing; and assist external evaluators in fulfilling their mission; Ensure that all project financial activities are carried out on schedule and within budget to achieve the project outputs; Perform all other financial related duties, upon request. Ensure timely submission of financialย reports to the UNDP Country Office to verify the accuracy of such reports for the national partner or donor;Provide operations support to the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:
Ensure that UNDP procurement rules are followed during procurement activities that are carried out by the project and maintain responsibility for the inventory of the project assets; Organization of procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their preliminary evaluation, note-to-files and justifications in cooperation with the UNDP Operations Unit. Coordination of surveys, DSA, travel agencies, organization of common services and other administrative surveys;ย Prepare and timely submit travel documents in accordance with UNDP requirements; Support with protocol matters, registration of staff, coordination with national partners on space and other administrative matters; Compile, organize and file information and documents for reference and use by team members. Preparation of documents set for vendor creation; Ensure proper control of the supporting documents for payments; Prepare and timely submit payment requests with proper support documentation to the UNDP Country Office;ย Provide financial monitoring over project commitments and expenditures and assist the Programme Manager in assuring proper project delivery; Keep regular contact with project experts and consultants to inform them about the project details and changes;ย Control the usage and proper accounting of non-expendable equipment (record keeping, drawing up regular inventories), inventories and materials; ย Provide necessary administrative, financial and logistical support to the project events, including among other workshops, seminars, working meetings and visits of national and international delegations (visa support, transportation, hotel accommodation etc.);ย Keep files of project documents and expert reports and ensure general circulation of documents for knowledge management and sharing;ย Act on telephone inquiries, fax, post and e-mail transmissions, and co-ordinate appointments; Provide translation of documents for/to English/Russian/Romanian as required; Draft project correspondence and documents; finalize correspondence of administrative and financial nature; edit reports and other documents for correctness of form and content as required; Assist in collection, preparation and submission of support documents for NPSA contracts extensions.Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.ย
Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.ย Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project.ย Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.ย Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.ยInstitutional Arrangement
The Project Associate will work under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, overall guidance of the Programme Specialist and in close cooperation with the UNDP Moldova Country Office, for an effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving project-related issues and information 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 improvementsย Learn Continuously:ย 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:ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsCross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
Operations Management Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisationโs assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms. Knowledge Generation Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.ย Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.ย Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Resource management Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity. Relationship management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding. Budget managementย Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets. Procurement Management The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source. Documents and records management Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary Education is required. or; University Degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Law, Public Administration, or another related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.Experience:
Minimum of 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with University Degree) of experience in administrative work, accounting/finance, economics, in development assistance or experience in the field of Administration, Finance, Economics. Business Administration or Public Administration.Required skills:
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.Desired skills:
Experience in providing effective logistical support is an asset. Experience in project or financial administration will be an asset.ย Proven experience in a similar position withย Government, International Donors, UNDP or other UN Agencies will be an asset.ย Experience in development assistance or related work for a development organization, consulting company, or NGO will be an asset.Required Languages:
Fluency in English, Romanian and/or Russian is required.ย Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.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.
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