Project Support Specialist

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.

Governance programme consists of several strategic initiatives that support Kazakhstan modernization efforts with focus on priority reform areas stretching from Civil Service Reform and Rule of Law to Prevention of Violent Extremism and addressing the needs of most vulnerable groups of population. The Governance programme activities are implemented by the Governance Unit and its projects in close partnership and collaboration with the Government of Kazakhstan on national and subnational levels, expert community, academia, and civil society organizations. The Governance Unit partners with multiple stakeholders to realize UNDP mission, including the Administration of the President, Prime-Minister’s Office, Parliament, line ministries and local government authorities. Increased attention is devoted to partnerships with civil society organizations, private sector and international donor organizations to strengthen the efforts at sectoral level. One of the Governance program projects is “Enhancing Effectiveness of Social Protection Programmes and Improving Access and Participation of Socially Vulnerable Groups”. The project will further support the efforts of the Republic of Kazakhstan in improving the country’s social policy in line with the Strategy “Kazakhstan 2050” and National Plan for the Realization of the Rights and Improvement of Life of Persons with Disabilities until 2025. Kazakhstan aspires to become one of the 30 most developed countries in the world and building of a modern, effective system of social protection of the population, especially people with disabilities, is an integral part of this vision. In this regard, inclusive of the new principles of social policy based on social guarantees of the state and on promoting the personal responsibility of citizens, the project implementation strategy will be based on two main directions: on the one hand, the modernization of the state system of social services and increased participation of vulnerable groups in social and economic life and in decision-making processes affecting their interests. In addition, the project will support the further promotion of international standards in the field of ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities. The project has three main components: (i) promoting the modernization of the social service system; (ii) promoting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and (iii) strengthening the strategic, analytical and managerial capacity of the Ministry. The project will be implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan at all stages. The UNDP country office is responsible for the overall implementation of the project, its monitoring and evaluation, as well as for achieving the goals, objectives and expected results. In order to achieve the project results on time the project will hire 2 project support specialists to accelerate the procurement process for the project together with the Procurement Unit.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Project Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Project Support Specialist will provide professional procurement support to UNDP project “Enhancing Effectiveness of Social Protection Programmes and Improving Access and Participation of Socially Vulnerable Groups”. The Project Support Specialist will be assigned to support project’s requests and be responsible for undertaking day-to-day activities on handling those requests, including effective communication with the requesting project whenever required and reporting to the project manager. The detailed responsibilities are presented below:

 Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;  Prepare procurement plan(s) for the projects and ensure systematic monitoring and update of procurement plan(-s) in line with UNDP rules and regulations;  Facilitate submission of the project procurement plans in the procurement planning platform PROMPT;  Ensureimplementationofasourcingstrategyforeachtenderingprocessthroughmarketresearch and cost estimation;  Quality research of local markets for goods and services required for project’s needs, including verification of products availability, price analysis and search for potential vendors;  Support the process of drafting the terms of references (TORs) for the project;  Contribution to organization of procurement processes including drafting of tendering and solicitation documents, assistance in conducting tendering processes (RFQs, ITBs, RFPs, etc. in accordance with the UNDP rules and procedures) whilst ensuring that tender announcements are circulated as widely as possible among the potential suppliers, facilitating the flow of information during the tender by clarifying requests from tender participants and requesting additional information from them if necessary;  Provide assistance to the organization of the procurement processes including receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;  Participation in opening of quotations, bids or proposals, facilitate the technical evaluation, including coordination of technical committee meetings and preparation of minutes/protocols thereof, conducting of financial evaluations of the technically responsive offers;  Provide support in submission of procurement cases for review of the relevant Procurement Committee;  Prepare contracts based on results of procurement processes;  Create and dispatch Purchase Orders (POs) based on the signed contract and approved e- requisition. Take timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems;  Ensure sound and regular contract management; if required initiate a request for any changes to the contract;  Support the project with contract monitoring and performance evaluation of suppliers;  Timely provides update on a status of on-going procurement cases to the project manager;  Maintain the on-line and paper-based procurement archives and database in a proper way;  Interaction and communication with internal/external audit, if required (provision of requested documents, clarifications and other);  Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/expected outputs:  As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP project and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:  Efficiency of the procurement and success in implementation of project procurement plan.  Accurateanalysisandpresentationofinformation,wellorganizedtransparentprocurement processes ensuring timely delivery.  Impact on the overall efficiency in financial resources management contributes to success in implementation of the project’s activities.  Internal communication among project and country teams is ensured.  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 Integrity Teamwork and respect for diversity Commitment to continuous learning Communication Flexibility 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.

national and/or international level in procurement and administrative or financial support or other relevant areas; experience with procurement is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

Experience in work plans (projects) design, initiation, implementation would be considered as an asset;  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, 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, etc.

The UN Volunteers will be based in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. UN Security Level: Phase 1. Medical services. The nation’s capital, Nur-Sultan was founded in 1997. The new capital was unveiled internationally on June 10, 1998. Nur-Sultan’s favorable location in the center of the Eurasian continent makes it an economically advantageous transport, communication and logistics center, and a natural bridge between Europe and Asia. The average temperature is 3oC, rising to over 41oC during the hottest period. The hottest month in Nur-Sultan is July and the coldest month is February. Nur-Sultan’s total population is now over 1 082 222 inhabitants. No special vaccination is required to travel to Kazakhstan. Medical services (including dental care) are provided at European standards. Clinics working 24 hours are available in the city. There are both private and state clinics and hospitals. Kazakh and Russian are spoken languages in the region and the official languages of the state.

As of July 2022, the amount of the Monthly Living Allowance received by the National UN Volunteer Specialists in Nur-Sultan is approx. KZT 323,590/month. Other benefits include: Entry lump sum of USD 400 (a one-time contribution towards expenses incurred before and initially upon commencement of service); Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents; Access to UNV's learning and career development resources; Annual leave: 2.5 days per month; Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment).

See the UVP Entitlements calculator & UNV Conditions of Service for more details & information.