General
Description of assignment title: National Project Assistant
Assignment country: Jordan
Expected start date: 10/01/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 11. Sustainable cities and communities
Volunteer category: National UN Youth Volunteer
Host entity: UNDP
Type: Onsite
Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Amman
Details
Mission and objectives
The primary role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is to support country-led efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The work of UNDP in 170 countries around the world is anchored in diverse and effective partnerships, which are vital to our two critical roles at the country level: (a) as an integrator across policy, programmatic and organizational silos; and (b) as an operational backbone for the United Nations and other partners. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports Jordan to achieve sustainable development that leads to transformational change, bringing about real improvements in people’s lives, through the design and implementation of policy and programming to address the development challenges that affect the country. #Nextgen UNDP also ensures that considerations such as the Gender Equality, Private Sector Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, and Innovation are addressed while aligning local demand driven development solutions to the 2030 Agenda.
Context
UNDP is implementing the project “Reduction and elimination of POPs and other chemical releases through implementation of environmentally sound management of E-Waste, healthcare waste and priority U-POPs release sources associated with general waste management activities “in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders, The project aims to achieve the avoidance of releases of U-POPs, PBDEs and CO2, contributing at the same time to the development of the waste circular economy elements based on the 3R (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) approach principles. The assigned UN Volunteer Project Assistant will perform his/her tasks under the supervision of the Projects Coordination Manager at the Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Reduction portfolio at UNDP Jordan Country Office. He/she will be at the project office at MoEnv with a frequent presence at UNDP for relevant meetings and follow-up and will be working closely with MoEnv focal point and the members of the Project’s Management Unit. Further, the assigned UN Volunteer will support the day-to-day management, coordination, and supervision of the implementation of the projects. The PA will perform his/her tasks on a full-time daily basis for six months (with the possibility of extension) Additional information: National UN Youth Volunteers in Jordan are entitled to:
- Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 854.8;
- Annual and learning leaves;
- Free Medical and life insurance; and
- Free access to different learning platforms. For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements, and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Project Manager, the UN Volunteer will:
- Perform financial duties related to implementation of the activities for the project.
- Manage the project documentation in an appropriate and satisfactory manner.
- Be responsible for coordination of project activities with other involved governmental and non-governmental organizations under the supervision of the project manager.
- Coordinate, monitor and close follow-up of the activities of all consultants assigned by the projects to ensure timely provision of inputs and achievement of outputs and deliverables.
- Monitor the progress of the different project activities including the development of “in-house “databases that documents all related information and provide concise progress reports on: work accomplished, main difficulties encountered, etc.;
- Follow up consultants and contractors’ contracts and deliverables.
- Work as a liaison officer with the local communities’ institutions (this implies that he/she to spend some of the working hours at the project sites).
- Assist with writing of press releases and speeches related to events organized by the project and ensures an adequate media coverage for such events and any other strategic issues/activities linked to project implementation.
- Prepare all necessary financial reports to accompany Project work plans and reports.
- Support the process of quarterly and annual planning of project activities.
- Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor. Specific tasks are as follows: Administrative responsibilities
- Assist in all administrative aspects of the project.
- Schedule workshops and meetings and arrange their logistics.
- Draft and type minutes of meetings and correspondence in English and/or Arabic.
- Follow-up on correspondence with relevant stakeholders, Implementing Partners, the Maintain up-to-date soft and hard filing systems.
- Support in the project tasks as the Secretariat for the Projects` Board (calling for meetings, preparing and distributing an agenda, steering discussions, write the minutes of meetings, follow-up on decisions, keep members informed on the progress, etc.).
- Draft consultant missions and coordinate all logistics. Financial resources management
- Contribute to the management of the Projects’ components financial resources including the preparation/updates of the projects` work and budget plans, record keeping, accounting, and reporting by the key Implementing Partners; share accountability.
- Assist to develop and submit progress and financial reports to UNDP in accordance with the reporting schedule.
- Ensure total accuracy and the highest level of transparency in the management of the Projects financial resources in accordance with UNDP and national regulations and procedures.
- Prepare all necessary financial reports to accompany the Projects quarterly and annual work plans and reports. Project planning and other technical tasks
- Participate fully in the process of quarterly and annual planning of the project activities.
- In cooperation with relevant programme personnel build effective working relationships with the key partners at the local level (Local Government, community leaders, locals NGOs, the private sector, etc.)
- Participate fully in the preparation and content of the Project Implementation Progress Reports
- Respond to request for reports on project administration and performance from any key stakeholders.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 26
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
1 years of experience in Programme support and operational-related tasks. – Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of diverse partners. – Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. – Experience within UN agencies is essential. – Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (Government authorities, Development Partners, civil society, etc.). – Excellent computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet. – Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. – Excellent knowledge of the Arabic language, and a conversational level of English is desirable.
Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Communication, Energy and environment
Driving license
–
Languages
Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Social Science, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or other related fields with one year of experience.
Competencies and values
– 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 a 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 the face of adversity, confident. – Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, and forms positive relationships. – Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, be aware of unconscious bias, and confront discrimination.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Amman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Services in terms of banking, transportation, health and communications are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among the majority of the population, especially in Amman. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are relatively cheap and easily available. There are a number of shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have generally increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, many amenities, very modern and serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the assessment of the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship). As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
