United Nations Development Program Office is seeking highly qualified professional to fill in position of

Project Assistant

In the past decade, Ukraine has witnessed a significant transformation affecting all facets of development, from societal to economic to political, as the country returned to independent statehood and moved toward democracy and a market economy. As in most cases, transition has presented both opportunity and challenges with varying degrees of exposure to different constituents. Particularly threatened is the health and well-being of young people as they face a climate of great uncertainty. Growing unemployment and widespread poverty, drug and alcohol use, the spread of HIV/AIDS, and deteriorating educational opportunities have placed increased burden on the future of Ukraine. The casual relations between these pressures require sustained and comprehensive approaches to reverse negative trends.

Integration into the larger Europe and the world chosen by Ukraine following independence will require intensive adaptation of its social, political and economic spheres. Transition processes have opened new opportunities for young people, but have also exposed pressures and human security problems that were not so acute or did not exist previously: widespread poverty and growing income inequality, deterioration of quality of life and access to key social services like education and health care, disintegration of families. Unless these detrimental trends are overcome, it will not only have consequences for the destiny of the country but for the region itself.

Terms of Reference

• Project Title: Human Security for Ukrainian Youth
• Project Number: 00040287
• Post title: Project Assistant
• Duration of employment (dates): 3 months probation with possible extension
• Full time
• Duty station: Kyiv
• Duties and Responsibilities:

Under direct supervision of the Project Manager the incumbent is in charge of the operational facilitation of the project implementation:

• Contribute to the project annual and quarter work-plans preparation and reporting;
• Assure smooth operational running of the project by means of following established operational rules and procedures, including preparation of the documents for contracts and payments;
• Participate in data collection, analysis and maintenance of projects related data base and files;
• Participate in project finance/budget related activities to ensure application of the appropriate operational rules and procedures;
• Monitor expenditures and prepare financial reports and forecasts;
• Petty cash management;
• Provide logistical support (travel arrangements, including visas, tickets, etc.) to the project team;
• Facilitate the process of procurement and delivery of project goods and services;
• Organize finance accounting for the project. Maintain project finance related information;
• Keep updated project inventory and assures that UNDP regulations on the equipment use, storage and proper maintenance are adhered. Assures that the project equipment transfer/disposal is being done under UNDP rules;
• Facilitate project audit, monitoring, evaluation, field visits, missions of the experts, assures travel arrangements for the project staff. Participate in preparation on project TPRs/APRs.
• Maintain updated networks of project counterparts, contractors, consultants, suppliers, collect relevant information on best services and expertise providers.
• Prepare project related correspondence; maintain contacts with governmental and non-governmental institutions, local authorities, NGOs, academia, etc;
• Participate in project activities preparation, implementation and follow up;
• Assure that the progress reporting is done in timely and quality manner based on the requirements of the UNDP and project donors;
• Facilitate project recruitment and personnel management. Maintain project staff attendance records. Prepare TORs for consultants and new project staff. Assure due selection process is in place using mass media, participate in screening of candidates. Draft project contracts. Collect the documentation required for the recruitment and contract extension.
• Maintain contacts with UNDP COs on a variety of the operations related issues;
• Maintain contacts with the national executing agency on a variety of the project related issues;
• Translate documents from Ukrainian to English and English to Ukrainian;

Basic requirements for the incumbent:

Formal requirements

University degree in law, finance, business administration or economy; Passed trainings in the field of finance management and administration;

Personal experience and knowledge of the subject area

At least 3 years of progressive experience in the area of operational support, personnel management, procurement, finance preferably in the international environment; Strong accounting and budget management skills; Knowledge of the Ukrainian and international laws and local commercial procedures; Excellent knowledge of English, Russian and Ukrainian languages; Experience in writing work plans and reports in these languages; Experience with technical assistance projects (at least 2 years), preferably in the project administration domain (finances, procurement, personnel, inventory, travel, visas, tickets, etc); Previous experience of work with governmental and non-governmental institutions, local authorities, NGO, academia, etc. would be an asset; Previous experience in office management would be an asset; Strong computer skills are mandatory; Have basic experience in PR, communication and public outreach activities; Possess basic web and intranet management skills.

Personal characteristics

Ability to work in team; Ability to work under continuous pressure and meet deadlines; Energetic optimistic approach to all possible problems; Proactive and self-driven personality; Responsive, time and quality oriented; Able to quickly master new rules and procedures; Able to tackle a multitude of tasks simultaneously; Flexible and mature person; Able to work in multicultural environment; Able to resolve conflicts quickly and efficiently; Be kind and patient. Demonstrate a high degree of morale;

Applications (most recent CVs) in English language with the reference to this position are to be submitted:

to e-mail address: vegorov@un.kiev.ua, or fax (044) 253-26-07.

Please, indicate the Position you are applying for in the Subject line of your message.

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN FOR UKRAINIAN CITIZENS ONLY