Project Assistant

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in more than 170 countries and territories. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP is committed to helping the country through strengthened national and local capacities to carry out political, economic, and social reforms and promote development. In the programmatic period 2021-2025, UNDP BiH supports the following programme priorities: (a) access to justice and increased human security; (b) reduction of regional, economic, and social disparities; (c) sustainable management of environmental and energy resources, and green jobs creation; and (d) access to services and employment opportunities for the most vulnerable. In all areas, there will be an emphasis on conflict-sensitive, integrated, and innovative programme design complementing country priorities and tailored to the post-floods recovery needs.

The Energy and Environment Sector (EE) of the UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina implements projects in the field of Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Environmental Development geared towards decreasing economic, social and territorial disparities and sustainable management of environmental and energy resources, and green jobs creation through coordinated approach by national and subnational actors. All interventions are implemented in close collaboration with relevant government stakeholders, other UN agencies, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society.

As part of its broader commitment to enhancing climate governance and advancing strategic climate planning and reporting in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP, in close collaboration with national authorities and key stakeholders is implementing the project Strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Climate Action through Development of NDC 3.0 and Operationalization of the Environmental Information System. The project aims to enhance the country’s climate governance architecture, making it more robust, responsive, and capable of delivering on both national and international climate commitments. It focuses on two interlinked priorities: first, the operationalization of the Conceptual Framework for Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation Indicators—an integral part of the Environmental Information System (EIS)—to enable comprehensive, consistent, and policy-relevant climate and environmental data collection, including on loss and damage; and second, the update and enhancement of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reflect more ambitious adaptation and mitigation targets. This includes the development of a detailed Action Plan accompanied by a Financial, Investment, and Implementation Strategy to support effective NDC 3.0 execution and mainstreaming across sectors.
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and overall supervision of the Sector Leader, the Project Assistant will support activities implemented within the project by performing a variety of standard administrative processes ensuring high-quality and accuracy of work. The Project Assistant shall promote a client, quality and result-oriented approach. 

To ensure consistent service delivery, the Project Assistant will work in close collaboration with the staff of Enabling Activities projects of the Energy and Environment Sector. 

The incumbent will be based in UNDP BiH office in Sarajevo.  

Duties and Responsibilities

A.    Overall technical, administrative, and logistical support to the Project implementation

•     Assists the Project Manager in the implementation of technical and operational activities for the preparation of the outputs.
•     Participates in planning, organizing and execution of the Project activities.
•     Assists the Project Team in coordinating activities in the field, including maintaining contacts with stakeholders, arranging and attending meetings, as well as taking notes and ensuring follow up.
•     Provide support in planning and organization of various events, and trainings.
•     Ensures accurate data entry into comprehensive data bases and tools to enable smooth Project monitoring.
•     Draft routine official correspondence and assists in the preparation of various reports.

B.    Support to the project team in implementation of project business processes

•     Organizes translation and interpretation services in accordance with business processes.
•     Provide minor translation/interpretation services, as required.
•     Organizes transportation services in accordance with business processes.
•     Maintains Project archive and files.
•     Ensures that business processes followed by the projects are in line with the UNDP rules and regulations, policies, and internal control framework.
•     Assists in timely reporting and participates in drafting of the project reports.
•     Assists the Project Manager in implementation of monitoring and evaluation plan.

C.    Support the project Team in effective mainstreaming of gender equality

•     Provides effective support in mainstreaming gender equality in the projects implementation and makes sure that knowledge on gender equality is incorporated in the project’s knowledge management activities and products.
•     Provide effective support to the Project Manager in incorporating gender equality in all the areas of implementation of projects components, in the organization of the project evaluations and audits.
•     Ensures that all collected data related to the project are gender and age disaggregated and evaluated from the gender point of view.

D.    Support to building and knowledge sharing 

•     Support in organization of Project knowledge management activities.
•     Document lessons learnt and best practices in project.
•     Support to relevant knowledge networks and communities of practice.
•     Assist in promotional activities of the project.
•     Participate in the training for the operations/projects staff on Finance.

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

4. Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will report to the Project Manager. 

Competencies Core: 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 Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction and Strategy

Business Acumen

Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization. Business Direction and Strategy System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Business Management

Working with Evidence and Data

Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making. Business Management

Communication

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. Digital Tech Literacy Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions. Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when it's used as a \"means to an end\".

Required Skills and Experience Min. Education requirements

• Secondary education is required.
• University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Public Administration, Law, Economics or relevant related field  will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.  Min. years of relevant work experience 
  • Minimum 5 years (with Secondary education) or 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of administrative or project support experience at the national or international level is required

     

    Required skills 
    • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages. 
    • Knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages and experience in handling of web-based management systems. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
      • Experience working in an international setting.
      • Experience in working with different stakeholders, such as the government institutions, civil society organizations, private sector, etc.
      • Experience in technical, administrative, and operational support to project implementation.   
      • Experience in communication with stakeholders/beneficiaries.
      • Experience in support of implementation of business processes and quality assurance of business processes.
      • Prior UN experience. Required Language(s)  Fluency in English and one of the national languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina is required.

        Equal opportunity

        As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

        UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

        Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

        UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

        Right to select multiple candidates

        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.

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