UNDP : Project Associate (NPSA6-Roster) – Bangkok

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    OTHER
  • Posted:
    1 day ago
  • Category:
    Programme and Project Management
  • Deadline:
    21/01/2025

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 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.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, crises, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help countries to build integrated, lasting development solutions for people and planet.

The UNDP Country Office in Thailand is an dedicated, inclusive, and energetic team of development professionals, committed to the pursuit of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP partners with the host government, communities, the private sector, civil society organizations, the United Nations system, and other development partners to support the country’s development journey, adding value to Thailand’s progress towards the SDGs.

Our UNDP team is responsible for designing, implementing, managing and/or quality assuring a range of development interventions in a fast-paced environment. We prioritize our clients’ and partners’ needs and invest in a positive, innovative team culture.

UNDP in Thailand depends on a professional pool of Project Associates to support the effective delivery of UNDP projects, portfolios and programmes in line with UNDP rules and regulations.

Project Associates are assigned to a portfolio for a set period. They have the opportunity to move across teams and assignments within the Country Office to enhance their exposure and experience and to back-stop each other. This is part of UNDP’s mission to foster an office-wide network of creativity, care, and collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities
     1. Support the project/porfolio team to ensure effective research, planning, and implementation. 
  • Compile and summarize research, information and data for the formulation of project work plans, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and on other specific project related topics or issues.
  • Provide comprehensive support in all aspects of project implementation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners. Ensure quality of delivery by consultants, beneficiaries, and contracted companies; and communicate findings to the supervisor.
  • Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When necessary, provide guidance to project staff on business processes, administrative and other requirements and procedures.
  • Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection and compilation. Prepare gender equality background materials for use in discussions, briefings, and correspondence.
  • Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organizing/coordinating project events and selecting appropriate venues, coordinating project procurement procedures, maintaining project records and files, recruiting project team members, and supporting contracting activities.

     2. Support partnerships and resource mobilization. 

  • Establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with the relevant UN Agencies, government institutions, NGOs, tertiary institutions, partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Provide support in updating the database of the relevant public and development partners, and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the project.
  • Ensure regular communication and coordination with partners, project counterparts, stakeholders, and beneficiaries; and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insight.
  • Support creation of high quality information and visibility of the project activities among the stakeholders; and ensure careful selection of communication tools and tailoring the messages to take into account the overall socio-political and development context in host countries.
  • Undertake horizon scanning and explore opportunities for resource mobilization in consultation with direct supervisor.

     3. Support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and results reporting for the project/portfolioon progress of project implementation.

  • Support implementation of the project monitoring system in alignment with its Monitoring and Evaluation framework to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback, and elaboration of high-quality progress reports.
  • Collect, analyze and present information for monitoring and evaluation of project implementation against project targets as well as for audit purposes. Identify gaps in implementation and provide support in bridging those gaps in consultation with supervisor and partners.
  • Assist in the organization of field and study visits, missions, workshops, round tables, and conferences within the project.
  • Assist in implementation of effective risk management for the project with a well-documented risk mitigation plan in place. Support monitoring of previously identified and emerging risks.
  • Regularly monitor expenditures and commitments against the project budget and relevant plans, and provide finance-related information to support project implementation. When necessary, recommend corrective actions and draft various correspondence concerning finance, operations, and budgetary issues.
  • Prepare and consolidate required project reports on a timely basis and in line with monitoring and reporting guidelines and donor requirements

     4. Support communications, knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project. 

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of  the Office and the Organization

Institutional Arrangement: 

The Project Associate works under the overall guidance of the Head of Programme for UNDP in Thailand and the direct supervision of the manager of the project or portfolio to which they are assigned from the UNDP Project Associates Pool.
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 improvements

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 flexible

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 discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management : Project Management – Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management : Portfolio Management – Ability to select, prioritise and control the  organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic  objectives and capacity and ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key     principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
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 : Communication – Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels
Business Management : Monitoring and Evaluation – Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns
Finance: Budget Management – Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
Procurement: Contract Management – Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Secondary education is required, or
  • University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required.

Required skills

  • Experience 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

  • Experience in preparation of financial reports and overviews
  • Experience and knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools
  • Experience and knowledge of project management processes
  • Experience and knowledge of procurement procedures of national / international organizations
Disclaimer
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 description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements