Background

UNDP supports the Government of India in its vision to achieve faster, and more inclusive growth. Guided by the Millennium Development Goals and the vision of the Eleventh Five Year Plan, UNDP promotes social, economic and political inclusion for the most disadvantaged. The UNDP Energy and Environment (E&E) Unit works towards the goal of low-carbon, climate resilient development in India. The E&E unit supports the Indian Government to meet national commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention to Combat Desertification and the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change. The unit builds national capacity for conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, for expanding access to clean energy, for energy efficiency and management of polluting chemicals. Cross-cutting themes of specific interest are capacity development, inclusion, technical support and South-South cooperation.
 
In the thematic area of ‘climate change’, UNDP works closely with national and state governments on the preparation and implementation of Climate Change Action Plans and other related themes on climate change. Besides, UNDP also works with the local governments and community institutions and with NGOs and technical support agencies on various aspects of climate change – both on adaptation and mitigation. The focus is on strengthening capacities, support developing a low carbon climate resilient development pathway.
 
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP Climate Change Advisor, the Project Assistant (Administration) provides support to office operations performing a variety of standard administrative processes ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. The Project Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Project Assistant works in close collaboration with project team members for resolving administration related issues and information exchange.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Assistant will primarily be responsible for executing work related to financial management and providing administrative support:
 
Financial Management:
  • Facilitate financial audits and process Quarterly Progress Reports, Annual Progress Report, quarterly financial reports for submission to relevant departments in UNDP;
  • Process timely payments of vendors, travel and other claims of staff. Coordinate with vendors and UNDP finance team for timely payment;
  • Assist in preparation of legal documents for contracting and procurement of goods and services, including maintenance and physical verification of assets;
  • Within the assigned area of responsibility, draft letters/ correspondences, audit replies, etc.;
  • Filling and documentation of important papers;
  • Assist in all accounting and book keeping related to the project.
General Administration:
  • Responsible for all administration procedures as assigned by the supervisor;
  • Organize and coordinate meetings, trainings, workshops and make travel arrangements as needed;
  • Assist in collation and compilation of data and information from the concerned implementing partners;
  • Any other function as required pertaining to the effective implementation of the climate change programme.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:

Communication Skills:
  • Good facilitation and communication skills;
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills;
  • Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things;
  • Documents innovative strategies and new approaches.
Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures:
  • Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
  • Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
  • Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
  • Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
Data gathering and implementation of management systems:
  • Uses information/databases/other management systems;
  • Provides inputs to the development of simple system components;
  • Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems;
  • Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Intra-Internet, e-mail applications etc. Knowledge of other applications such as Front Page, Publisher and some multimedia tools would be useful.
Maintains effective client relationships:
  • Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
  • Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
  • Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
  • Responds to client needs promptly;
  • Ability to liaise and work with people of different backgrounds;
  • Ability to work well under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience:

  • Essential: Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in financial management and general administration or programme support service;
  • Desirable: Experience of working with Government Organisations /UN organization/NGOs.

Language:

  • Excellent oral and writing skills in English and Hindi.
  • Language skills common in the programme State is preferred.
Remuneration package is Rs. 55,975/- per month (taxable).