Job Identification : 13943

Locations : Nairobi, Kenya

Posting Date : 10/04/2023, 01:06 PM

Apply Before : 10/12/2023, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : G7

Vacancy Type : Fixed Term

Practice Area : Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Africa

Contract Duration : 2 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience : Bachelor’s Degree – 4 year(s) experience OR High School certificate- 7 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English and Kiswahili

Vacancy Timeline

1 Week

Mobility required/no mobility

no mobility required

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.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF Kenya 2022 – 2026 has prioritized four target groups who are at risk of being left behind: women and girls; children and youth, people living in urban informal settlements and people living in North-Eastern Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties, key borderland counties within the ASALs, face multiple and interlinked socio-economic factors coupled with inter/intra clan conflicts and security challenges and compounded by longstanding marginalization and exclusion.

The UN Kenya and the Office of the Deputy President are implementing a two-year project, on Promoting Peace and Inclusive Development in Borderlands Counties in North-Eastern Kenya, targeting Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties. The project will be jointly implemented by the UNDP, the WFP, the OHCHR and the Peace and Development Advisor in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.

The project will showcase a consultative and inclusive model involving national and county governments, civil society, communities, development partners and other stakeholders to collaboratively shape peace, human security and sustainable development initiatives that subsequently address the structural causes of conflicts in the target counties. The focus will be on inclusive governance, strengthening social accountability mechanisms at the local level, building trust between communities and security forces actors through Civil- Military Cooperation (CIMIC) and the implementation of micro ‘peace dividends’ livelihood projects. Further, the project will enhance collaboration, coordination and inclusivity amongst actors implementing projects under the larger North and Northeastern Development Initiative. Improved coordination of these initiatives will contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Kenya 2022 – 2026 and strengthen avenues for meaningful participation of the communities in their planning and implementation to enhance Northeast Kenya’s development, prosperity, and long-term stability. The project is set to be catalytic, piloting a transformative model for community engagement and participation in human security and development initiatives and processes, thereby enhancing their effectiveness and sustainability. If this model is proven successful through this project, it can be scaled up through the interventions and investments of development partners deployed in borderland areas of Kenya.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Associate provides the overall administration and execution of varied and inter-related operational and logistical project activities in the Country Office, ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. The Project Associate coordinates with and supervises the Project Support Associate engaged in the project and liaises with the County Project Officers on administrative, finance and procurement related issues at the counties. The Project Associate promotes a client, quality, and results-oriented approach. The Project Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects staff in the CO and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Ensure Implementation of Operational Strategies in alignment with governing rules and regulations and with a focus on consistency and quality:

•  Ensure full compliance of administrative activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategies as well as the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) Guidelines;
•  Develop CO administrative business processes mapping and elaboration of the internal standard operating procedures (SOPs);
•  Prepare administrative results-oriented workplans in collaboration with the project team including those at the county levels;
•  Elaborate proposals and implement cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with the project team and UNDP management.

2.) Provide support for effective administrative and financial control in the project:

•  Present thoroughly researched information for planning of financial resources for administrative services. Assist in the preparation of budget, audit, and other reports; and provide researched information and reports for audit exercises;
•  Implement the control mechanism for administrative services, maintain administrative control records such as commitments and expenditures, and ensure compliance with business continuity requirements;
•  Review, research, verify and reconcile a variety of data and reports ensuring accuracy and conformance with administrative rules and regulations;
•  Review of data integrity in the database, control programme; analyze results and initiate corrective actions when necessary;
•  Review travel authorizations, documentation, payments;
•  Ensure proper planning and tracking of common services budget and of Agencies’ contributions to the common services account. Submit information on administrative services provided for cost-recovery bills.

3.) Ensure appropriate and required administrative and logistical support is provided to the project team at the Nairobi duty station and at the county levels:

•  Coordinate the provision of reliable and quality office supplies;
•  Coordinate and supervise, travel, events management, administrative surveys, transportation services and insurance, space management, and procurement of supplies;
•  Provide support for protocol matters, registration of staff, space, coordination with county authorities, and other administrative matters;
•  Ensure maintenance of common services to ensure integration of common services activities and implementation of the UN reform.

4.) Facilitate knowledge building and sharing within the Teams:

•  Organize training for the operations/projects staff on administration. The training should also target county level staff as well as implementing partners receiving funds from the project;
•  Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises the Project Support Associate closely collaborating with county level staff in Mandera, Garissa and Wajir counties.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.

Act with Determination LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Technical and Cross-functional Competencies:

Business Management: Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:

•  Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs.
•  Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
•  Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests.
•  Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

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.

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.
•  Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Administration and Operations:

Assets management:

•  Knowledge of policy & procedures on PP&E; ability to prepare financial statements on PP&E; maintain Asset Management Module in ERP, Asset Dashboard; develop supporting tools for assets certification and further enhancements for AM module; design and run training programs, etc. on assets management and assets recording; run AP-AM interface; perform AP-AM-GL reconciliation; perform analytical review of AM reports and asset information to ensure completeness and accuracy of asset information.

Building, facilities & office space management

•  Knowledge and ability negotiate technical agreements to ensure fully operational building infrastructure and services; design policy & procedure (POPP) for premises and facilities including space standards; manage premises and facilities; validate.

Events management (including retreats, trainings, and meetings):

•  Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Administration, Programme, Accounting or Finance;
•  University Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Commerce, Economics, Public Administration, or equivalent field will be given due consideration.
•  Certifications in Administration and Procurement are desirable.

Experience:

•  Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) relevant experience in administration or programme support services;
•  4 years of experience in supporting complex projects with multiple partners;
•  Experience in the use of data packages and web-based management systems;
•  Solid record of satisfactory delivery on projects and continuous positive feedback from clients;
•  Experience with the UN or other international organizations is desirable.

Language:

•  Fluency in English and Kiswahili.

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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