Project Associate, Regional Climate Summit preparation

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.

As the lead UN agency for international development, UNDP operates in 170 countries, focusing on eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. In Kazakhstan, UNDP collaborates with the government and various partners to implement initiatives in sustainable development, democratic governance, peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

The cooperation between UNDP and Kazakhstan emphasizes climate and disaster resilience, as well as nature-based and low-carbon growth. This involves implementing clean and affordable energy solutions and environmentally friendly development strategies to fulfill the country's environmental commitments, including those under the Paris Agreement.

UNDP in Kazakhstan partners with the government, non-government organizations, UN agencies, and development partners to expand the green economy. Through technical expertise and collaboration, the focus is on translating strategies into action, establishing monitoring frameworks for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and developing plans for green energy, land management, biodiversity, reforestation, disaster risk reduction, and waste management.

The organization's priorities are outlined in the UNDP Country Programme Document, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, available on

UNDP Kazakhstan's work in Energy and Environment involves substantive policy advice, effective project portfolio management, diverse partnership building, and knowledge sharing for sustainable development solutions.

President Tokayev proposal for a Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan in 2026 under UN auspices responds to the urgent climate challenges in Central Asia. The summit aims to address issues like rising temperatures, water scarcity, and glacier decline. It also envisions Kazakhstan as a renewable energy hub, emphasizing the need for resources and partnerships for a swift transition to green economies.

In support of the government's initiative, UNDP will assist in Summit preparation by hiring a local expert for preliminary secretariat functions, conceptual work, and consultations with partners and organizations. The proposed summit serves as a strategic initiative to foster international collaboration and address the significant climate challenges facing Central Asia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensuring effective administrative and logistical support:

• Provide operational support to the programme management.
• Prepare vendor forms and create Vendor List.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and hotel reservations, preparation of travel authorizations, travel claims processing requests for special category visas.
• Provide administrative support to conferences, workshops.
• Participate and support when needed all Internal and external meetings.
• Maintain the e-filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials.

Building cooperation and close liaison with key stakeholders:

• Maintain close liaison with key stakeholders, including President's Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministries of Environment in Central Asian countries, embassies, international organizations, and other relevant parties at the national and regional levels involved in Summit preparation.
• Stay informed about programmatic developments and advise on required support.
• Provide comprehensive support to the Environment and Energy unit in Summit preparation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and Government of Kazakhstan.
• Provide analytical support and knowledge products in the area of climate change.
• Offer expertise in the day-to-day implementation of Secretariat's activities.
• Support the Head of Unit in preparation of project related documents.
• Ensure timely preparation and update work plans, progress reports, narrative reports and other related documents upon request.
• Ensure timely, smooth and efficient implementation for effective delivery of activities and expected outputs.
• Reinforce partnerships with state bodies, international organizations, embassies, NGOs and other potential local and international partners.

Ensuring project and financial management:

• Support to organization of procurement processes including preparation of TORs, RFQs, bids or proposals.
• Support developing and managing Responsible Partner Agreements, ensuring proper delivery of technical services and submission of narrative and financial reports.
• Prepare requests for direct payment, cash advances, reports on expenses, budget revision and other required supporting documentation for all financial transactions.
• Support drafting annual work plan.
• Comply with security and safety requirements and regulations.
• Support preparing and updating work plans and budgets.
• Monitor the project compliance with financial requirements, such as reporting deadlines, formats, purchasing procedures, audits, transmission of documentary evidence, spending eligibility periods, etc.
• Undertake cost estimates for different activities according to the needs of projects.
• Assist in preparing procurement plans and overseeing procurement and logistics for project implementation.
• Monitors project budget in terms of expenditures according to the work plan.
• Prepare bank documents, e.g., T/T. and assist in banking runs for events.
• Provide assistance in the provision of information for audit management.
• Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken and coordination of collection and submission of the reports to supervisor.
• ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Supporting advocacy and communication:

• Ensure regular communication and coordination with national partners.
• Develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insights.
• Ensure effective information flow, correspondence and coordination across the office, UNDP Cos and governments of Central Asian countries and other parties involved in Summit preparation.
• Ensure careful selection of communication tools and tailoring the messages taking into account overall socio-political and development context.

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

Institutional Arrangement

Project Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Energy and Environment Unit. The incumbent will ensure to provide quality advice to the Head of Energy and Environment Unit and comply with appropriate UNDP policies and procedures.

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 direction and strategy -Strategic Thinking
  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP's objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
  • Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
• Business development -Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Business development -Knowledge Facilitation
  • Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
• Business management -Partnerships Management
  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• 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 -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.
• Peace -Governance
  • Public Administration and Local Governance, Public Sector Reform.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• Bachelor's degree in energy and environment, social sciences, international development, public administration or related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor's degree) of proven work experience and knowledge in energy and environment sector.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, Russian and Kazakh is required.

Desired skills:

• Experience in working with national ministries, NGOs, UN agencies, and other international organizations will be an asset.
• Experience in the area of environment, climate change, disaster reduction, energy, study abroad scholarship will be an asset.
• Experience in drafting, editing and producing written analytical memos and reports will be an asset.
• Experience in organizing large international conferences will be an asset.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

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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