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 under the overall guidance of Integrated Team Leader, UNDP Thailand Country Office (CO) and close supervision of the Project Manager on Promoting Tolerance and Respect for Diversity. The Project Assistant provides ongoing project and administrative assistance and support to the governance-related projects in particular, peace and justice, human security, good governance, and etc, as assigned by Project Manager, performing a variety of standard administrative and financial processes ensuring high quality and accuracy of work.

The Project Assistant works in collaboration with the operations, programme and project staff in the UNDP Thailand CO and UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) to exchange information and ensure consistent services delivery.

Under direct supervision of UNDP the Project Manager, the Project Assistant will perform the following functions:

I. Collection, analysis, and presentation of information for a joint planning meeting, quarterly work plans, and budget work plans to support project implementation; II. Prepare information for Project Manager for his/her advice to the donor, Implementing Partners and UNDP; III. Creating project in UNDP’s financial and administrative system, prepare budget revisions, revision of project status, determination of unutilized funds; IV. 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. V. Ensures effective administrative and logistical support for the achievement of the outcomes of the project, focusing on the achievement of the following results: VI. Support national project implementation activities according to UNDP workflows (including Individual Contract (IC) process, organization of forums, workshops, travel, etc.); VII. Contacts with visitors and project personnel, arrangement of appointments and meetings, and/or taking minutes; VIII. Compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, speeches, background information, and documentation for meetings and missions; IX. Maintenance of records/ documents/ files relating to the project in a user-friendly manner; X. Be responsible for assigned correspondence and other administrative tasks including creating E-requisitions;

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

13. Results/expected outputs

• As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Smooth coordination between UN agencies, Governmental organization, and the UN partners. o Provide technical assistance to align with the project workplan o Promoting the project works to more engagement with the stakeholders.

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • 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 behaviours 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 behaviour; 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.

administrative support • Experience in meeting arrangement, data gathering, documentation in Thai and English of the new initiatives, PowerPoint presentation; • Previous work in assisting project management is an asset. • Strong interpersonal skill and experience working with government and civil society is an asset;

• Ability to work under pressure and time constraint; • Ability to organize assignments and work systematically; • Possess high cultural, political and security awareness. • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN and UNDP as well as demonstrates integrity by modeling the United Nations' values and ethical standards; • Ability and willingness to work as part of a team to meet tight deadlines and produce high quality work. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent interpersonal and communication 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; • 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 MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in human security area, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

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