Project Coordination 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.

As an island nation, Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable to climate change and disasters. UNDP has been assisting the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) since 1967 to achieve sustainable human development in economic, social and environmental fronts. Working closely with the GoSL at national, regional and local levels, Climate and Environment Team (CET) of UNDP is building up institutional, legal and individual capacities to respond to the effects of climate change and natural and manmade disasters, by exploring the potential of renewable energy and resource efficiency in production and consumption, while supporting reform and modernization of the environmental management systems and protecting our biodiversity.

UNDP is supporting the Government of Sri Lanka to encourage stewardship and innovation on green development, raise awareness on related sectors, influence the policy-making sphere for green-centric transformations, prioritize and support the operationalizing of a green recovery and affirm the country’s green commitments, and create a platform to convene stakeholders, decision-makers, and development practitioners to share and build knowledge.

In this backdrop, it is required to strengthen CCS to work with Presidential Task force for the Creation of a Green Sri Lanka with Sustainable Solution for Climate Change and overall coordination is required on greener development initiatives. As such, UNDP needs to place a Project Coordinator, guided by the Technical Coordinator-CET of UNDP and Director, CCS, CCS in support of the day- to-day implementation, management and coordination of Programme activities on Green Development and to ensure effective planning and monitoring of the Programme to achieve stated outcomes and outputs in accordance with UNDP/Government of Sri Lanka Guidelines for Nationally Implemented Programmes and UNDP’s Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP).

Under the direct supervision of Project Manager cum Technical Coordinator, Climate and Environment Team, the National UN Volunteer will:

Administrative and Operational Support • Providing day-to-day coordination support to the project team • Facilitate logistical arrangements to prepare for national consultations including arrangements to hold in-person workshops and related events. This would include preparing invitations, letters to engage stakeholders, following up with participants, providing on-the-day support to document comments, facilitate local and international travel (If required) of Project Team and partners
• Liaise with UNDP and partners including Climate Change Secretariat to ensure smooth communication of project activities, organize virtual, in person meetings, taking minutes etc.

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

• 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.

climate change adaptation, and livelihood improvement activities especially with the government institutions as well as grass root levels; • Demonstrated experience in organizing workshops/meetings and handling logistics; • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Colombo is situated on the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. The climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year, but humidity is usually high. From March to April the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfalls occur. Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations on 14 December 1955.