Office/Unit/Project Description

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) positions itself as a development partner that brings global knowledge and expertise, through a multi-sectoral approach and concentrates its work on areas to support the implementation of Türkiye’s development agenda through project implementation and policy advice. These areas are: 1) Inclusive and Sustainable Growth; 2) Inclusive and Democratic Governance; and 3) Climate Change and Environment. In addition, UNDP also plays a key role in supporting the Government of Türkiye with the refugee response through its Syria Crisis Response and Resilience Programme relying on its experience in three major areas (i.e. livelihoods and facilitation of job creation, municipal service delivery, youth empowerment and protection/social cohesion).

The overall objective of UNDP’s work in Inclusive and Democratic Governance (IDG) aims to contribute to strengthening governance processes and institutions that are responsive to citizens’ demands and universal norms. The IDG Portfolio focuses on the fields of rule of law and human rights, responsive and accountable institutions (public administration reform) and border management, as well as women’s empowerment and gender equality as a cross cutting area. It contributes to strengthening the independence of institutions, particularly judicial actors and national human rights mechanisms. It addresses structural issues pertaining to the rule of law, access to justice and human rights including with respect to gender, participation, and accountability. Support is provided to the relevant institutions to enhance the implementation of local administration reforms and border management. Women’s empowerment is at the core of UNDP’s initiatives. Incorporation of gender mainstreaming to all interventions is a priority for the inclusive and democratic governance technical assistance. In addition, the IDG Portfolio is also contributing to the Syria Crisis Response, in line with the resilience approach within the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan, complementing the efforts of the Government in the areas of inclusion and social cohesion.

Strengthened Civic Engagement for Enhanced Democratic Local Governance in Turkey Project is a key project funded by the EU Funds (IPA II funding) under IDG Portfolio of UNDP Türkiye. The main beneficiary of the Project is Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT) and co-beneficiary is Ministry of Interior, Directorate General for Relations with Civil Society (DGRCS). The project is planned to be implemented nationwide and specifically in 7 pilot provinces, which are Manisa, Trabzon, Eskişehir, Elazığ, Çanakkale, Mersin and Gaziantep.

As the long-term overall objective, the Project aims that civil society and public institutions at local level work in partnership through dialogue and cooperation – on the basis of willingness, trust and mutual acknowledgment, on common interests and policy making. As the intermediate overall objective, it targets to create an enabling and sustainable environment for volunteerism in Türkiye.

Specific objectives of the Project are:

• Establishing sustainable partnerships between CSOs and local authorities to increase awareness of civil society’s engagement in policy making processes, through innovative enhanced community-based initiatives and the promotion of volunteerism in Türkiye.

• Promoting volunteerism in Türkiye at local and national level, including an improved legal framework.

The project aims to achieve the below listed 4 results:

1. Civic Engagement Strategies and two-year Action Plans for CSO/local authorities’ partnership developed
2. Local Authorities’ and CSOs’ capacities developed through training programmes and small grants programme
3. Proposals on legislative regulations concerning volunteerism in Türkiye developed
4. Capacities and awareness of UMT, DGRCS, CSOs and local authorities increased

The project is composed of 4 main components:

Component 1- Development of civic engagement strategies and two-year action plans for CSO/local authorities’ partnership

Component 2- Developing the capacities of Local Authorities and CSOs through training programmes and small grants programme

Component 3- Developing proposals on legislative regulations concerning volunteerism in Türkiye and building capacity on volunteerism

Component 4- Capacity Building Activities

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor / Project Manager, Project Assistant will be responsible for the day to day Project support to the project team and administration. Project Assistant will be responsible for providing support to the required field and any administrative activities that Project management may require. S/he will be in close collaboration with project team.

S/he will work in a close collaboration with the staff of the Project Services Centre (PSC) as well as Operational Units on HR, Procurement and Finance, to expedite project implementation and seek guidance and solve implementation bottlenecks.

In line with the above-mentioned focus, Project Assistant will provide day-to- day project implementation services in Administrative, Financial and Procurement Actions to the relevant Project. Specifically, under each domain, s/he is expected to provide high-quality services, including but not limited to the following tasks:

Institutional Arrangement

With a view to implement the project activities in an effective and efficient way and achieve the expected results of the Project, a team of consultants will be established within the scope of the Project. Project Assistant will primarily assist the Chief Technical Advisor / Project Manager in fulfilling her/his duties and tasks with regards to the Project. Project Assistant will be serving on a full-time basis during the project period. Project Assistant will provide the Project Team with sufficient administrative support. In addition to her/his daily routine, Project Assistant will also fulfil the ad-hoc tasks to be assigned by the Access to Justice and Human Rights Specialist and/or IDG Portfolio Manager. Project Assistant will be tasked to support/orientate the consultants throughout their performance within the scope of the Project.

Project Assistant will report to the Chief Technical Advisor / Project Manager and will work under the overall guidance of the IDG Portfolio Manager of UNDP Türkiye CO. S/he will also be closely working with the Focal Points designated by the European Union Delegation to Turkey (EUD), Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT), while undertaking the tasks regarding implementation of the Project.

UNDP Türkiye CO will;

– provide the Project Assistants with relevant documents,

– provide the Project Assistants with full support in any further analysis of the data where necessary,

– facilitate communication with other stakeholders.

UNDP will provide the required physical facility for the work of the Project Assistant, depending on the availability of physical facilities (e.g. working space, computer, printer, telephone lines, internet connection, etc.). All reports should be submitted in English and/or Turkish (as requested by UNDP).

Travel might be required during the position. UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

Core Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies