We use cookies to customise our website for you, giving you the best possible user experience. If you continue without changing your settings, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive this personalisation. Find out more about our cookie policy

Cancel
This job is expired
United Nations Development Programme – United Nations

National Project Associate

United Nations Development Programme – United Nations

  • Bridgetown
  • Not disclosed
  • Temporary full-time
  • Updated 25/07/2023
  • Human Resources

The National Project Associate is expected to support technical, administrative (including logistical arrangements), and monitoring actions relating to project implementation, execution, and reporting

Job Description

 
Background

 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing the representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The UNDP is responsible for the implementation of the GEF Funded GlobalBiodiversity Framework Early Action Support project in 69 countries. The Multi-Country Office (MCO) will be responsible for implementation in seven (7) countries across the eastern Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The objective of this global project is to fast-track readiness and early actions to implement the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by providing financial and technical support to GEF-eligible Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in their work to align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) including national biodiversity targets, monitoring, policy, and finance frameworks with the GlobalBiodiversity Framework of the CBD. Financial and technical support is provided through two pathways: first, grants made to Parties to undertake early actions at the national level, and second, a global technical support grant that will make it possible to provide technical guidance to Parties to ensure these early actions are effective, efficient, inclusive, and of the highest technical standards.

Each of the participating countries, based on their current planning status, will use the grant to undertake activities from the following menu: a) Rapid review of NBSAP for alignment with the post-2020 GBF; b) assessment of monitoring systems; c) policy and institutional alignment and review of policies for coherence with the GBF; and d) biodiversity finance activities. The rapid review of the NBSAP and national targets will focus on identifying gaps required to align the national targets, goals, objectives, and action plans within the existing NBSAP to the new GBF; the assessment of monitoring systems will focus on identifying gaps and promoting alignment between the NBSAP-related monitoring system and the GBF; the project management, policy, and institutional review will focus on identifying policy gaps and inconsistencies within the existing NBSAP and the GBF; and the biodiversity finance activities will focus on preparedness for developing and/or implementing a finance plan for implementing a GBF-aligned NBSAP.

 

Scope of Work

The National Project Associate is expected to support technical, administrative (including logistical arrangements), and monitoring actions relating to project implementation, execution, and reporting. The successful candidate will provide support for the day-to-day management of the project in the mobilization of inputs, the organization of activities, and other implementation support functions as requested.

Responsibilities include:

 

Programmatic planning and resource mobilization

  • Identify, synthesize, and promote the adoption of best practices and lessons learned, particularly innovative approaches and South-South cooperation directly linked to programmatic and project-level goals
  • Support the preparation of project-related documents
  • Make presentations as required local, regional or international fora on relevant topics
  • Prepare terms of reference(TORs) for the procurement of international and national consultants as required to support the implementation of project activities, oversee procurement processes, as well as ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of services

,  

Project development and implementation support

  • Support the Programme Manager (PM) in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of activities for projects
  • Provide technical and policy guidance in the design and implementation of activities, including research and strategic situational/problem analysis
  • Provide technical support in the application of field methodologies related to the implementation of project activities as relevant
  • Advise and support the PM in the resolution of technical and administrative issues
  • Support the development of annual work plans and procurement plans for NIM and DIM projects
  • In collaboration with programme and operations personnel, help coordinate and deliver training for project staff in corporate Project Management requirements
  • Coordinate procurement processes, including the development of solicitation documents, convening evaluation committees, evaluating bids, and preparing submissions to local and regional procurement committees


 

  • Support UNDP management in project governance mechanisms, as necessary, providing guidance to in-country project teams and National Project Directors on UNDP, donor, and government processes and requirements
  • Support the PM in the technical supervision, coordination, and contract management of consultants, ensuring efficient and effective resources utilization
  • Support beneficiaries in liaising with national and regional partners on project issues
  • Provide technical guidance in sustainability measures/plans for project initiatives
  • Support the coordination of project activities and outputs with related UNDP and UN System initiatives
  • Support the recruitment of consultants and the administration of contracts through drafting TORs, finalizing advertisements;
  • Assist as necessary with project closure activities

 

Capacity building and knowledge management

  • Contribute to the development and implementation of capacity-building programmes at national and community levels
  • Evaluate, capture, and synthesize lessons and stimulate the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of position papers, resource kits, and other knowledge materials
  • Respond to queries on demonstration activities’ progress, impacts, and lessons

 

Monitoring and reporting

  • Assist inception activities including the establishment and monitoring of indicators, baselines, and targets
  • Support PM on missions for programmatic inspections in line with monitoring and evaluation plans to ensure activities are proceeding towards achievement of project outcomes, and outputs are of requisite quality
  • Prepare reports to the PM identifying risks, challenges, and causes of potential bottlenecks to activity implementation and propose (and implement where relevant) mitigation measures, including modification to activities where appropriate
  • Conduct regular analysis of the effect of actual performance relative to the project timetable and budgets, in close collaboration with the PM
  • Support preparation of inputs to periodic narrative and financial reports, including donor and UNDP corporate reporting
  • Support Implementing Partners in the preparation of annual work plans, quarterly and annual progress reports as required

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profiles deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

 

Institutional Arrangement

Directly reports to the Multi-Country Project Coordinator and functions under the overall guidance of the Head Cluster, Nature, Climate and Energy

Competencies

Core 

 

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, ask for feedback

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 1: Adaptsto change, constructively

handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with the a and Determination:

LEVEL 1: Showsdrive 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 & Technical competencies 

ThematicAreaNameDefinition
2030 Agenda: Planet

Nature, Climate

and Energy

Ecosystems and biodiversity
2030 Agenda: PlanetNature, Climate, and EnergyEcosystems and biodiversity: Biodiversity Finance
Business ManagementProject ManagementAbility to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business ManagementPartnerships ManagementAbility to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Business DevelopmentKnowledge GenerationAbility to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business

management

Resource

management

Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical

way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Business managementResults-based managementAbility to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education Min. Education requirements

Secondary education is required

University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Environment or natural resource Management,    Environmental      Economics, Development, Business Administration, Coastal/Ocean Engineering, Project Management or similar field.

Min. years of relevant work experienceMinimum 7 years with a Secondary Education or 4 years with a capacity-building Bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in environmental, climate change And/or development work, projectmanagement.
Required skillsExperience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.)and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section
  • Experience in environmental and climate change-related work, such as research, training, environmental assessments, and monitoring.
  • Experience in the coordination/implementation of environmental projects and activities.
  • Experience in the development and/or implementation of capacity building programmes at national and/or community levels is desirable
  • Experience in project administration/management would be an asset
  • Previous      experience     within      the      UN      common      system      or International/regional Development Organizations is desirable
Required Language(s)Written and spoken English
Professional CertificatesProject management certification is desirable

Disclaimer

Important applicant information
All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.
Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.
 

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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 descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, and religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names, and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.


United Nations Development Programme – United Nations

United Nations Development Programme – United Nations

View Employer Profile