Job Identification : 12776
Locations : Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Posting Date : 08/02/2023, 10:03 AM
Apply Before : 08/16/2023, 10:01 AM
Job Schedule : Full time
Agency : UNDP
Grade : NPSA-6
Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area : Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery
Education & Work Experience : Bachelor’s Degree – 3 year(s) experience OR High School certificate- 6 year(s) experience
Required Languages : English and Lao
Vacancy Timeline
2 Weeks
Job Description
UNDP Lao PDR:
Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 – 2025) and UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2022 – 2026), UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and sub-national levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDR’s five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP’s work is strongly focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across four broad Priority Pillars – (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, (2) UXO clearance and risk education, (3) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as (4) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.
UNDP has a long history working in Lao PDR. UNDP’s comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a very broad range of government and local-level institutions at all levels. The new UNDP country programme is aligned with the 9th NSEDP and is anchored in UNDP’s long-term partnership with the Government of more than three decades. The new programme builds on the achievements of the previous CPD that saw the incorporation of the SDGs into the national planning architecture. It will aim to support Lao PDR recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue its transition from LDC status, with a particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality.
3. Scope of Work
UNDP is preparing several other new policy and project initiatives in the Natural Resources Management, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction portfolio, which are expected to be launched in 2023 and beyond. The Administration and Finance Assistant will be assigned one or several projects from this pool, and will perform the following tasks for each of these projects.
The Administration and Finance Assistant (AFA) will work under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, and he/she is expected to perform the following tasks:
- Contribute to timely day-to-day administrative and financial operations of the Project Management Unit in close coordination with MONRE (or other Government department) and UNDP;
- Assist with all necessary financial disbursement and procurement of goods and services in a timely manner;
- Provide timely guidance and support to the government partners on routine UNDP operational procedures and guidelines for implementation of projects;
- Contribute to registration and maintenance of all project assets on a regular basis;
- Contribute to revision of work plans and budgets;
- Administrative support for workshops, field trips, and other activities.
- Any other relevant tasks as assigned by Project Coordinator or UNDP
4. Institutional Arrangement
The AFA will work under supervision of Project Coordinator and will be required to work closely with the UNDP NRM, CC and DRR Unit, other programme and operations teams. The AFA will report to the Project Coordinator on contractual, performance management and administrative matters. The position will be located at either the government or UNDP office (arrangements will vary between projects). UNDP may consider hiring several candidates from this recruitment process for performing similar tasks for newly launched projects.
5. 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 (insert up to 7 competencies)
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
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 Operations Management Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.
General (across the functions) Event planning and execution Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.
Partnership management Relationship management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Administration & Operation Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings) Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Finance Budget management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
6. Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Min. Academic Education
Completion of Secondary education is required, bachelor degree or specialized training on admin or finance will be given due consideration
Min. years of relevant Work experience
Minimum 6 years or Bachelor degree with 3 years of relevant experience in administration, accounting, finance, project or office management
Required skills and competencies
- Good knowledge of MS Office and ability to learn and adopt to new systems
- Experience in working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in the handling of web-based management systems
- Excellent inter-personal, communication and negotiating skills.
- Demonstrable skills in office computer use – word processing, spread sheets etc.
- Good working knowledge of written and spoken English and Lao.
- Excellent coordination skills, with ability to work under pressure and handle multiple activities and projects concurrently.
Desired skills
- Experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and community leaders
- Knowledge of UN regulations, rules, and procedures
- Past working experience with UN and international organizations desirable
- Experience working with diverse teams with different technical capacities in international development.
Required Language(s) (at working level)
- Excellent knowledge of English and Lao languages is required.
