Inclusive Growth Team provides advisory support to country offices in the ECA region in areas of Inclusive growth, employment, trade, sustainable development and just transition and implements a portfolio of projects such as: Aid for Trade (AfT), , Regional Returnee Reintegration in the Western Balkans Greening the Future in Moldova and Georgia etc. The present Project Associate (PA) position is established under the Inclusive Growth Team  (IGT) with the purpose to provide support to the project management requirements of the ongoing projects; as well as other activities related to the Inclusive Growth Team portfolio. The PA will complement the Programme Support Unit (PSU) in providing backstopping in administrative and financial issues, but also in the management and implementation of the project portfolio.

Under the direct supervision of the project managers in the Inclusive Growth Team and the overall guidance and oversight of the Team Leader, the PA provides support to administrative and finance services ensuring high quality of work, accurate, timely, and properly recorded/documented service delivery. The PA works in close collaboration with implementing COs, operations and other staff in IRH and COs and external consultants. The position requires a high level of self-initiative and learning motivation.

Supports management and implementation of regional projects focusing on the achievement of following results:

• Ensures creation of projects in ERP, prepares and enters budget revisions, revisions of project status, monitors unutilized funds and donor balances, carries out operational and financial closure of projects;
• Compiles donor financial reports, monitors use of cost sharing funds and other resources. Keeps Track and reports on mobilized resources;
• Ensures effective management of data in project implementation, across the data lifecycle. Follow up on project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports, and implementation of corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools.
• Identifies projects-related bottlenecks and proposes solutions.
• Prepares external and internal programme/project evaluations/audits and supports implementation of evaluations/audit recommendations.
• In liaison with project implementation agencies ensures that Project Delivery Reports (PDRs) are correct. Uploads PDRs to ERP. Generates Combined Delivery Reports (CDRs), checks for correctness. Generates financial transaction detail reports. Communicates with UNDP IRH Finance Unit and HQ on financial matters as required;
• Facilitate implementation of project activities related to organization of events and trainings, and procurement of consultancy services and equipment;
• Drafts standard correspondence for project implementation;
• Compiles data and evidences for  preparation of narrative and financial project reports;
• Maintains project files in Quantum and other document management systems;
• Provides support in ad-hoc project administrative and operational issues and provides information within UNDP.

Provides effective administrative and operational support focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Maintains an internal expenditure control system including timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers, journal vouchers. Makes budget check for requisitions and vouchers;
• Prepares Non-PO and purchase orders (PO) based vouchers in Quantum;
• Assists in procurement and contracting processes. Compiles contract documentation and prepares documents for the IRH and Procurement Units;
• Contributes to the preparation of the projects’ recruitment and procurement plans;
• Assists in organization of internal meetings, drafts minutes as required;
• Provides administrative support to the staff of the team as requested;
• Support to arrangement of travel, preparation of travel authorizations, and support by processing requests for visas.

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing: 

• Organize and delivers project related training for relevant project personnel
• Assists preparation of reports by synthesizing lessons learnt and good practices;
• Contributes to and administers events and spaces pertaining to UNDP knowledge networks;
• Assists the preparation of training  materials.

• 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 clients’ immediate requests.
  • Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
• Business Management – Administration and operations    
  • Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)
• Business Management – Travel policy and procedures       
  • Knowledge of travel policy and procedures; ability to interpret travel policy, the Staff Rules, administrative circulars and financial regulations and rules on travel related matters
• Finance – Budget management    
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
• Technical – Financial reporting and analysis           
  • Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance
• Procurement – Procurement management             
  • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source
• Procurement – Contract Management      
  • Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.