Project Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

This UNV assignment is part of UNDP’s Accelerator Lab Network, the largest and fastest learning global network on development challenges. UNDP has already set up 92 labs in 116 countries including Thailand embedded within UNDP’s global architecture and country platforms. The objective of this network is to bring forward actionable insights and reimagine, with policymakers, local communities and social innovators, sustainable development for the 21st century. The Accelerator Labs are testing new ways of working and creating a new capability for decisionmakers to explore, experiment, and grow portfolios of mutually reinforcing solutions to tackle today’s challenges. We use the power of the crowd, machine learning and distributed decision making to support partners to understand problems, develop new solutions, promote more inclusive decision making, and provide better oversight of what is done. We identify grassroot solutions and stretch their potential to accelerate development. We apply experimentation closely with government partners to grow this as a mode of operating to reduce costs of large scale public sector reforms. Experimentation helps us learn whether particular assumptions are accurate before deploying solutions at scale, especially in the rapidly evolving contexts that often dominate development progress.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Heads of the Accelerator Lab or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV will: 1. Provide support to management of ongoing project activities through the following tasks and duties:  Collection, analysis and presentation of information for joint planning meeting, quarterly work plans, and budget work plans to support project implementation;  Prepare information for Heads of Accelerator Labs for his/her advice to donor, Implementing Partners and UNDP;  Creating project in UNDP’s financial and administrative system, prepare budget revisions, revision of project status, determination of unutilized funds;  Prepare and regularly update the Annual Workplan and the project budget; and  Undertake project operational and financial closure formalities including submission of terminal reports, transfer and disposal of equipment, processing of semi-final and final revision and support project manager in preparing the terminal assessment reports.

2. Ensures effective administrative and logistical support for the achievement of the outcomes of the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:  Support national project implementation activities according to UNDP workflows (including Individual Contract (IC), procurement and payment process, organization of forums, workshops, travel, etc);  Check related forms delivered by Implementing Partners and suppliers for completion before submitting them to the Finance or Procurement Unit;  Proper receipting of goods and services;

 Administrative support to conferences and workshops;  Contacts with visitors and project personnel, arrangement of appointments and meetings, and/or taking minutes;  Compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, speeches, background information and documentation for meetings and missions;  Maintenance of records/ documents/ files relating to the project in a user friendly manner  Be responsible for assigned correspondence and other administrative tasks including creating E-requisitions ;  Arrangements of travel and hotel reservations, preparation of travel authorizations, processing requests for visas, identity cards and other documents;  Preparing correspondences relating to the implementation of the projects;  Making logistical arrangements for the field visits and missions of the project team;  Assistance in proper control of supporting documents for payments and financial reports;  Preparation of routine correspondence, faxes, memorandum and reports to partners;  Extracting, inputting, copying and filing data from various sources as required;  Translation of documents as required;  Maintain a proper filing system for financial records ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials; and  Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken and coordination of collection and submission of the reports to Programme Officers.

3. Provides support to project maintenance and assets management, focusing on achievement of the following results:  Act as a backup to the Asset Focal point in the maintenance of records on assets management; and  Maintenance of files and records relevant to project maintenance.

4. Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:  Participation in the training for the operations/Programme staff and other trainings as appropriate; and  Drafting of social media posts to share project’s activities;  Sharing sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

5. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• Smooth implementation of planned activities, accurate flow of information, good analysis of overall situation and provide suggestion on the most beneficial solution to achieve the activity outcome. • Quality translation and interpretation provided as requested. • Effective coordination with stakeholders and completion of meetings, events, workshops, trainings, and conference according to the task assigned. • Completion of logistical arrangements for the project team according to travel and project workplan • Completion of goods and services delivery according to the UNDP Rules and Regulations. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

political science, communication, social science, economics, business administration and other relevant areas • At least 1 year of professional work experience at the national and/or international level; experience working with innovation driven organizations and knowledge in development challenges is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Willingness to learn and ability to work in a fast pace environment; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Advanced IT skills are desirable, computer, web editing skills as well as proficiency photo and text editing are a must; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Benefits and Entitlements: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service.

Monthly living Allowance (per month) is around 47,500 Thai Baht Entry Lump Sum (one-time payment) USD 400 Exit Allowance (for each month served paid on completion of assignment) USD 112.82 Medical and Life Insurance Coverage

Leave entitlements:

Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified Sick Leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days