Project Associate Vacancy-Job Ref: ACYEUNDP/1301/202401

Project Associate Vacancy-Job Ref: ACYEUNDP/1301/202401
Sanaa (Yemen)
JOB DESCRIPTION
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.
Water resources management is a pressing issue in Yemen due to its arid climate and limited water availability. Yemen faces significant challenges in this regard, including limited agricultural productivity, high levels of malnutrition, and vulnerability to natural disasters.
With BMZ funding through the German Development Bank (KFW), UNDP Yemen and KfW have established a partnership focused on enhancing water resources management and food security in the country. These collaboration aims to address the critical challenges faced by Yemen in these areas and contribute to sustainable development.

In addition, KFW and UNDP Yemen acknowledge the importance of addressing food security concerns in the country. To tackle these issues, the KFW-UNDP partnership focuses on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, supporting small-scale farmers, and strengthening local food systems. By enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring access to nutritious food, these initiatives contribute to reducing hunger and poverty in Yemen.

Recognizing the urgent need to address these challenges, KfW and UNDP have joined forces to implement an integrated water resources management project that aims to enhance the resilience of agriculture and food security in Yemen. The project (Integrated Water Resources Management to Enhance Resilience of Agriculture (ERA) and Food Security) includes the construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure to increase agricultural production, promoting access to markets, and empowering women in agriculture value chain in Yemen.

The overall objective of the project to enhance the livelihood resilience of poor Yemenis who depend on primary water sources for productive uses. This objective of this 3 year-project will be achieved by investing in new water harvesting infrastructure aimed to augment existing supplies to efficiently capture surface water as well as sustainable groundwater such as small to medium surface and subsurface dams, dykes, weirs, etc. The objective will also be achieved by rehabilitating existing damaged or unmaintained infrastructure which could include community cisterns, shallow wells, canals, soil erosion control measures, bank protection, low-tech agricultural infrastructure, flood protection structures (gabions, terraces, and embankments).

UNDP Yemen seeks to hire an NPSA-7 Project Associate to support the implementation of the project described above.

Duties and Responsibilities
Advertisement
Under the direct supervision of the Project manager, the Project Associate will provide project management assistance to the Project team by supporting the effective implementation of operational, administrative, and procurement processes. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, procurement, and administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies.

Summary of Key Functions:

Provide project management assistance by supporting administrative, operational, and logistical support.
Support procurement and human resources processes.
Facilitate knowledge building and management.
Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
Provide project management assistance by supporting administrative, operational and logistical support:
Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans.
Ensure compliance with procedures frameworks, including by learning and applying UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP), and relevant to project activity administrative requirements.
Coordinate and prepare documents necessary for the launch of procurement processes and issuance of contracts.
Supervise other support staff and coordinate short-term consultants.
Prepare relevant background materials for use in discussions, correspondence, and briefing sessions.
Ensure efficient travel arrangements are made for the team as required, ensuring proper use of UNDP resources.
Assist in arranging appointments, organizing meetings, events, taking minutes of meetings and drafting correspondence for Project Team.
Keep lists of names, addresses and telephone numbers of applicable government and non-government partners.
Maintain policy, confidentiality and general management files.
Advertisement
Support procurement and human resources processes:
In accordance with the Work Plan coordinate and contribute to the procurement of equipment, supplies and services.
Prepare the procurement plans for the projects and monitoring of their implementation.
Create and manage e-requisitions in Quantum and UNALL.
Coordinate equipment maintenance and insurance as required.
Ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UNDP procedures.
Clear and ensure delivery of equipment and supplies procured for the various project sites.
Learn processes and operations of the UNDP Quantum Platform.
Maintain records on national consultants, services providers and their respective status (contracts, ToRs, etc.) in accordance with corporate policies and procedures.
Monitor supplier’s performance with respect to the quality and timely delivery of goods and services.
In accordance with the Annual Work Plan, arrange for the procurement of equipment, supplies and services and ensure timely follow-up with procurement requests.
Assist in recruitment processes by reviewing job descriptions, and job classifications, forming vacancy announcements, screening candidates, and facilitating interview panels.
Maintain leave records and travel plans of the Project staff.
Facilitate knowledge building and management:
In accordance with the Project Document and in close coordination with the Responsible Parties, adhere to the quarterly and annual targets according to UNDP timelines.
Organize events for the Project Staff.
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in the project.
Provide high-quality interpretation and translation in support of the project as needed.
Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment:
Support gender mainstreaming in the implementation of project activities.
Ensure coordination with the gender officer/focal points to dedicate and keep track of the required gender expenditures to the unit.
Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate will be based in UNDP main office in Sana’a.

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
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Direction & Strategy Effective Decision Making
Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
Business Management Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
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.
Administration & Operations Events Management (including retreats, trainings, and meetings)
Support offices with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Human Resources- People strategy and planning Job design
Ability to design job roles to meet specific organizational objectives.
Procurement Financial Analysis
Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance related transactions to determine their performance and suitability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education requirements
Secondary education is required.
A university degree in social sciences, administration or related fields will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Min. years of relevant work experience
Minimum of [7] years with high school certificate or [4] years with a bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in the field of administration or other relevant related field is required.
Required Skills

Experience in procurement of supplies/services/ equipment is required.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required.
Excellent experience in communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills is an asset.
Experience in organizing events (including retreats, trainings, meetings, etc.) is an asset.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Experience in UN/UNDP or International organizations or Development organizations.
Experience in coordinating with other units/departments, including operations and Finance.
Required Language(s)
Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic required.

Please click on the button below to Apply.