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.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Associate works under the overall guidance of the Head of the Programme for UNDP in Thailand and the direct supervision of the manager of the project or portfolio to which are they are assigned from the Project Associate Pool. In addition to their primary responsibilities, the Project Associate also serves as a Coordinator for the Project Associate Pool, providing coordination and support across all Project Associates in the office.
Actively support the project/portfolio 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.
Ensures 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.
Actively support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and results reporting for the project/portfolio.
- 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, roundtables, 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.
Ensures Coordination and Communication
- Serve as the main advisor for Project Associates, offering guidance on best practices, project protocols, and issue resolution.
- Analyze project workflows to identify bottlenecks and delays impacting project progress.
- Collaborate with team members to develop solutions that keep projects on track and within scope.
- Facilitate regular meetings with Project Associates to discuss updates, share learnings, and address ongoing issues.
Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in in the Country Office.
- Organize and deliver knowledge sharing sessions to build skills in project management tools, processes, and organizational standards.
- Compile lessons learned and best practices.
- Provide contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice and digital knowledge platforms.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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 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:
- 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; Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
- Project Management – Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Risk Management – Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
- Results-based Management – Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Development:
- Knowledge Generation – Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Procurement:
- Contract Management – Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
Finance:
- Budget Management – Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary education is required or
- A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration.
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management and /or project management experience is required at the national and/or international level.
- Experience in thematic area is desirable.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
- Experience working on development issues at national and international level is desired.
- Proven ability to produce meeting reports identifying key actions, edit documents and consolidate narratives for a drafted project report is an asset.
- Experience working with international organizations is preferable.
- Proven teambuilding skills, with the ability to inspire collaboration, inclusivity, and shared purpose within diverse teams.
Required Languages
- Fluency in English and Thai is required.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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