Project Assistant

Volunteering Crisis & Emergency Response Security

Overview

Support project coordination and implementation related to SALW in West Africa.

You have:

• 4 to 6 years of relevant experience in Conventional Arms project/programme management.
• Experience in managing Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and related issues in a UN context.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, email, internet).
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimum supervision.
• Experience in resource mobilization strategies for project funding.
• Ability to communicate project successes to a variety of stakeholders.

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.

The management of conventional arms, particularly Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), is crucial for peace building, sustainable development, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In West Africa, the fight against small arms and armed violence continues to be a major challenge, despite initiatives by UNDP, EU ECOWAS, and government. The Regional Small Arms project aims to support ECOWAS in addressing instability factors and promoting a proactive approach to peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and resolution. This intervention is implemented by UNDP Ghana Country Office to support the implementation of the Peace Security and Stability Mandate (PSSM), specifically advancing the "Practical Disarmament" component of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework in Member-States (ECPF) in line with the ECOWAS convention on small arms.

The effective management of conventional arms particularly Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their ammunition is one of the major global prerequisites for peace building, sustainable development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Peace and security challenges particularly in West Africa are primarily about preventing conflicts and bringing development. A major lesson UNDP learned over the years is that where small arms and armed violence dominate, development suffers. The fight against the trafficking of small arms and light weapons and Improvised Explosives Devices (IED’s) continues to prove a major challenge to the growth and development path for many countries despite earlier initiatives undertaken by different partners, UNDP, EU ECOWAS and government to provide support to member states. Post-election violence, recurrent armed violence, resurgent of the Boko Haram, activities of bandits, kidnappers and other organized crimes are a manifestation of the easy availability of SALW in the sub region.

Thus, the Regional Small Arms project seeks to support ECOWAS in its capacity to effectively address factors of instability and reinforce a proactive approach to peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution in West Africa. It is an intervention implemented by UNDP Ghana Country Office to support the implementation of the Peace Security and Stability Mandate (PSSM) which Specifically, Small Arms Project seeks to advance implementation of the component "Practical Disarmament" of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework in Member-States (ECPF) in line with the ECOWAS convention on small arms. The position is under the overall supervision of the National Project Coordinator – (OCWAR-T / GFFO SALW Project). the candidate will be responsible in supporting the Coordinator in the management of the activities of the Germany Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) project, and other SALW/WAM Project in Ghana; together ensuring smooth implementation of project deliverables and delivering on project results and ensuring prompt reporting in line with the Programme and partnerships agreements.

The candidate will undertake the following assignment: A. Project Coordination and Implementation • Provide logistical and administrative support to ensure the day-to-day smooth operation of the project, including organizing meetings, managing schedules, and addressing any issues that arise in daily activities. • Collaborate with project teams to help develop detailed Annual Work Plans, ensuring they align with the project’s overall objectives and timelines while adhering to UNDP policies and guidelines. • Oversee the execution of project tasks, ensuring that activities are implemented efficiently under the supervision of the Coordinator, within scope, and according to plan. This includes monitoring progress and identifying areas for improvement. • Ensure all project activities are carried out according to UNDP’s standards, guidelines, and best practices, guaranteeing compliance with organizational policies and ensuring high-quality outcomes.

B. Reporting and Communication: • Prepare detailed progress reports, tracking the status of project activities, milestones, and outcomes. • Compile and prepare quarterly progress reports for onward submission to the Steering Committee, highlighting achievements, challenges, and any adjustments to the project plan or budget. • Assist in gathering and synthesizing information for various reports, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are kept informed of project progress and results. • Write and update concept papers, ensuring they meet donor requirements, reflect project goals, and align with funding strategies. • Facilitate clear and accurate communication of project successes and outcomes, both within the project team and with external partners, to demonstrate the impact of the project.

C. Resource Mobilization and Partnership Development: • Support the development of strategies aimed at securing additional funding and building partnerships with key stakeholders, ensuring the project has the necessary resources to achieve its goals. • Perform research and analysis to identify potential sources of additional funding, particularly for the National Commissions (NATCOMs), and help explore new avenues for resource mobilization to sustain the project.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Background in Conventional Arms particularly Small Arms and Light Weapons project/programme management with four to six years relevant experience. • Experienced in Conventional Arms, Small Arms and light weapons, Ammunition, improvised explosive device (IEDs) related issues at the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS sub region is required; experience with 4 years and above is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • 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; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in with or interest in peace, governance and security volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Accra, Ghana which is currently classified as hardship category B and a family duty station. This confirms that transport, medical, education and other services are at a high level compared to other countries in the region. At sea level, the climate of the country is tropical-hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about 27oC (80oF) and little daily variation. At the interior's higher altitudes, the average yearly temperature is 20oC (68oF), and nights are generally cool. Annual rainfall varies from 500 centimetres (200 in.) on the southwestern slopes to 100 centimetres (40 in.) in the northern lowlands. The rainy season runs from October to May. The total population of Ghana is about 26,000,000. Ghana is a Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) country. Regarding accommodation and food, houses and apartments can be rented from 200$ to 1000$ per month and meals at the restaurant cost between 10$ and 60$. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices. An entry visa is required for all travellers and must be obtained prior to arrival from an embassy. The Cedi is the local currency and according to the UN exchange rate system, a USD 1 is equivalent to 14.75 GHS in February 2025. Some commercial banks are operating in the country and Visa cards are accepted in very limited hotels

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org