Background
The Philippines faces pressing public health challenges, particularly cervical cancer and acute watery diarrhea, which are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country. Cervical cancer, predominantly caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), poses a significant threat to women's health, while Rotavirus (RV) infections are a primary driver of severe diarrhea in young children, resulting in high hospitalization rates and preventable deaths. In response, the government has prioritized integrating HPV and RV vaccines into the National Immunization Program (NIP), a key initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and alleviating the strain on the healthcare system. This effort aligns with the country's commitment to achieving universal health coverage and improving public health outcomes by addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, reducing health inequities, and advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on health and well-being.
The project aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cervical cancer and acute watery diarrhea in the Philippines by integrating HPV and Rotavirus vaccines into the National Immunization Program (NIP). Funded by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), this initiative aligns with the country's commitment to universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key activities include conducting readiness assessments, enhancing data analytics on budget allocation and vaccination coverage, and building stakeholder capacities through targeted training sessions. The project also emphasizes fostering public-private sector collaboration to improve data-sharing practices and developing robust demand generation strategies to increase public awareness and acceptance of the new vaccines. Technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will support these efforts, ensuring a sustainable and effective vaccine rollout.
UNDP would play a pivotal role in strengthening the capacity of the Department of Health (DOH) to expand HPV vaccine coverage in the Philippines. UNDP's expertise in data analytics and policy advocacy is crucial for identifying critical trends, patterns, and gaps in vaccination coverage, which guides targeted interventions and optimizes resource allocation at the local government level. Additionally, UNDP would facilitate public-private sector collaboration by developing policies for data-sharing practices and organizing forums to build consensus on these policies. This integrated approach ensures comprehensive reporting and enhances the overall effectiveness and sustainability of the HPV immunization program.
UNDP is looking for a Project Associate, who will be working under the Project Management Unit (PMU) based in UNDP PH Manila Office. This involves working closely with the UNDP Institutions and Partnerships Programme (I&P) Team, and various key stakeholders to ensure that the project has achieved its intended objectives
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Duties and Responsibilities
Overall direction and guidance shall be provided by the UNDP Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Programme while day-to-day supervision shall be performed by the Project Manager and the MEL Officer with oversight from I&P Programme Analyst.
Key functions include:
1.ย ย ย Provides support to overall effective and efficient management and monitoring of project:ย
Contribute to the development of projectโs annual and quarterly work plans, procurement plan, recruitment plan, travel plan and financial and physical progress reports;ย Keep track of the delivery of the project and contracted parties, frequently report to the Project Manager on the delivery situation; Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system including budget checks and timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers; ย ย Work closely with the Programme Team, Results and Quality Team, and Finance Team to ensure efficient and transparent use of project resources in line with approved budgets and within UNDP rules and regulations; Support to the conduct of annual project reviews, audits, monitoring missions, evaluationsย Support timely operational and financial closure of a project, determination of unutilized funds and processing operational/financial closure of projects; Support in drafting terms of reference and support the recruitment and management of national and international consultants, subject matter experts, consulting firms, and other such resources.2.ย ย ย Ensures implementation of operational strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Full compliance of operational activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategies.ย Provision of inputs to the CO administrative business processes and implementation of the internal standard operating procedures (SOPs)ย Undertake administrative, finance and procurement procedures, such as travel processing, liquidations of cash advances, processing of payments to suppliers, canvassing/collection of price quotations and payment of utilities;ย Support to small-value procurement and coordinating with the suppliers for the delivery of goods;ย Raise requisitions as required and register as general user role in Quantum. ย Provision of inputs to the project team results-oriented workplanย3.ย ย ย ย Support to ensure the efficient administrative support, focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Support to the coordination of travel arrangements such as preparation of travel requests, coordination with travel unit for travel authorizations, booking and reservation of hotel rooms, ticket bookings, and visa. ย ย Support to the organization of workshops and meetings including transportation services, booking of conference room, compiling of documents, arranging of equipment, among other similar administrative activities.ย Support to maintain an accurate and reliable filing system;ย4.ย ย ย ย Provides support to proper supply and assets management, focusing on achievement of the following result:ย
Support to the coordination of assets management in the unit, timely preparation and submission of periodic inventory reports.ย Support to the coordination of the provision of reliable and quality office supplies.ย5.ย ย ย ย Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO, focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Support to organization of trainings and events ย Provision of inputs to lessons learnt and best practices in programme including meeting documentation, drafting of communication letters, and logging of minutes from project and partner meetings. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. ย Support in preparation of Corporate Requirements including but not limited to annual work plan, quarterly report, and annual report.ย In collaboration with the Programme Analyst, support the implementation of the common activities of the Programme Team and the Country Office in general. ยThe 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 improvementsย 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 flexibleย 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 discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Managementย ย ย ย
Procurementย ย ย ย
Procurement Management: The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external sourceย Contract Management: Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/ or practical situationsFinance ย ย ย ย
Accounting (General): Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets Financial planning and budgeting: Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting Financial reporting and analysis: Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performanceRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Completion of secondary education is required. First level university degree (bachelor's degree) in Business Administration, Management, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Economics, Finance or related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.ยExperience:
Minimum of seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in administrative, financial, procurement, and logistics support at the national or international level is required.ยRequired skills and competencies:
Knowledge on the use of basic information and communications technology (ICT) and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required. At least 4 years of professional experiences in finance, procurement, logistics, and administration. At least 2 years demonstrated experience and capacity in project/business, financial management, including preparations of budgets, annual workplans, project delivery or progress reports and financial reports.Desired additional skills and competencies:
Work experience in support of a project or program on governance and public procurement. Experience in administrative, financial and/or procurement support to development projects. Experience in use of online enterprise risk management platform. Working experience with UN agency/mission, an NGO/INGO, or government.ยRequired Languages:
Fluency in English and Filipino is required.Professional Certificates:
Certifications in finance, accounting and procurement are an advantage.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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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