Project Assistant: Harare Zimbabwe
Title: UNDP Project Assistant
Closing date: Tuesday, 14 June 2016
Education & Work Experience: C-HS Graduate or Equivalent – 5 year(s) experience
GPVacancy Type
National Regular UN Volunteer
Posting Type: External
Bureau: Africa
Contract Duration: 24 months
Only open to Zimbabwe nationals
Background
The Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing a five year project ‘Supporting Enhanced Climate Action’ from April 2016 to December 2020.
Zimbabwe, like many other developing countries experiences unprecedented impacts of climate change and climate variability with much of the impacts being felt on the most vulnerable poor communities, women and children. With an economy founded on sectors vulnerable to climatic changes namely agriculture, forestry, energy, tourism, and industry, among others, the impacts from climate change have a significant effect on access to food, water, health, settlements and energy. Existing climate data reveals a worsening scenario if significant action is not taken.
The past few years have shown that climate change is altering the face of disaster risk and is adding to the complexity of disaster risk management. Zimbabwe has experienced a number of disasters such as floods, droughts, cyclones, storms and landslides and is at increasing risk due to climate change. Zimbabwe faces significant challenges in disaster risk management including insufficient disaster information and communication as well as a lack of integrated information management system for capturing and communicating climate risks, losses and impacts. In addition, in order to enhance preparedness at the district and community levels, climate sensitive disaster risk management plans needs to be in place particularly for infrastructure design and human settlements planning.
The above challenges reinforce the need to establish coherence between disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation and gender sensitivity in the planning of development interventions.
Project Assistant
In recognition of the need to promote a climate resilient society, a joint programme has been prepared by the UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, through its Ministry of Environment Water and Climate and Civil Protection Department and other partners. The programme aims to support the Government in pursuing an enhanced transformative climate response trajectory, through scaling up climate adaptation and mitigation actions, supporting gender sensitive DRM planning and implementation, and providing support for the Government to meet their obligations under the global frameworks.
Administrative Procedure Climate Change Climate Change Adaptation Climate Risk Developing Countries Disaster Risk Disaster Risk Reduction English Language Human Settlements Information Management Office Management Oral Communication Political Science Press Releases Procurement Project Implementation Project Management Public Administration Risk Management Secondary education Social Sciences Statistical Data Time Management Volunteer Volunteerism
The project works at the national level as well as at district level, where the project targets five districts identified as highly vulnerable to climate change impacts – Buhera, Chiredzi, Bulilima, Lupane and Gokwe South. UNDP, with support from UNV, has overall supervisory and administrative role over the UNV contract holder.
Duties and Responsibilities
The national UN Volunteer will provide technical assistance to the daily administration and implementation of the programme of Supporting Enhance Climate Action. The UNV will be based at the Ministry, Water and Climate and will serve as member of the programme secretariat working under the Project Coordinator supporting his/her work and that of District Field Officers.
The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks
Prepare for Board meetings, including timely circulation of draft agenda, minutes of previous meetings and all background documentation. Following meetings, prepare, circulate minutes and any other documentation for comments in good time and implement any necessary adjustments;
Provide all the necessary liaison, administrative and logistical support to the District Field Officers to ensure smooth and effective implementation of district level activities;
Support the UNDP Project Analyst to ensure compliance at District level to UNDP processes;
Compile background material, working papers and statistical data for briefing sessions;
Arrange programme visits and prepare reports including travel administration functions;
Assist in preparing for training sessions;
Prepare payment requests to UNDP including adequate supporting documentation and follow up on status;
Draft routine correspondence and follow up and respond to queries on programme matters;
Support with procurement of goods and services including contracts administration;
Maintain an asset register for programme equipment;
Collect, maintain and update data relevant to the programme;
Maintain a consultants’ database for the programme;
Maintain programme files for technical and financial records and keep information and reference material in a manner which allows easy reference and retrieval;
Support all internal and external audit and evaluation missions by providing project information and data as may be requested by audit and evaluation missions;
Support with preparation of work plans, progress reports including financial reports and obtaining necessary approvals and authorisations;
Perform as UNDP/MEWC liaison all administrative and finance issues for the Climate Change programme.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies
Good knowledge of operational and administrative procedures related to project implementation;
Systematic, well organized approach to work and demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in prioritizing assignments, effective time management and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Good judgement in balancing the need to follow orders and take initiatives;
Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with multiple stakeholders;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills;
Highly developed written and oral communication skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
Secondary Education preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance;
A University degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable.
Experience
5 years or more of relevant administrative or programme experience is required at national or international level;
Experience in office management, equipment, usage of computers and office software packages (E-mail/Internet, MS Word, Excel, Publisher etc);
knowledge of spreadsheet, database packages and handling of web- based management systems;
Working knowledge of the government’s procurement guidelines and procedures is an advantage;
Appreciation of UNDP processes and procedures in project management is an advantage;
Experience in Climate Change programming will be an added advantage.
Remark
This position is open for Zimbabwe nationals only.
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.