Programme Assistant

  • Contractor
  • Bangkok, Bangkok City, Thailand
  • TBD
  • UNDP Careers profile




  • Job applications may no longer be accepted for this opportunity.


UNDP Careers

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response.

The Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) provides the UNDP Country Offices in the region with reliable and easy access to quality advisory services and technical support based on UNDP’s mandate to address poverty and inequality challenges, promotion of inclusive growth and prosperity, achievement of the SDGs and promotion of sustainable development. Within this context, the Regional Inclusive Growth and Prosperity Team – in close collaboration with the Global Policy Network Teams in the Bangkok Regional Hub, Regional Bureau for Asia Pacific (RBAP) Headquarters in New York, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) – focuses on development policy and planning to address poverty and inequality; livelihoods, jobs and macroeconomic policies, social protection, human development, public finance, data analysis, green and blue economy, and most recently the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addressing these priority agendas within the framework of SDGs, the BRH Inclusive Growth and Prosperity Team works closely with regional partners, mechanisms and forums around joint commitments, agendas and objectives, including ASEAN, ESCAP, other UN agencies and bilateral partners.

Position Purpose

Based in the Bangkok Regional Hub and under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the RBAP Chief Economist, the Programme Assistant provides programmatic support in the preparation of work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements, including tracking the delivery of funds. The Programme Assistant is an integral part of the BRH Inclusive Growth team providing advisory and technical services to COs in the region. The Programme Assistant works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project staff in the Bangkok Regional Hub and UNDP HQ as required to exchange information and support programme delivery.

Duties And Responsibilities

Provides programme management support to Regional Programme/s implementation activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Provide programmatic support in the preparation of programme work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements, including tracking the delivery of funds;
  • Support implementation of activities according to BRH workflows (including related procurement for associated projects, organization of workshops, travel, etc.)
  • Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system.
  • Creation of Procurement plans and requisitions in Quantum for development projects, register of Goods receipts as authorized in Quantum.
  • Preparation of relevant documents and facilitate the payment requests and process. Issuance of financial authorizations to country offices, monitoring expenditures against each individual authorization, and follow-up with COs to ensure timely utilization of the issued authorizations.
  • Supporting the RBAP Chief Economist, Regional Advisor, and Inclusive Growth team in monitoring and reviewing project management reports for conformity of activities and expenditures with work plans within the team.
  • Support to all project personnel and consultants where required on allowances, travel claims and other financial matters and calculation of payments due for claims and services.
  • Maintenance of records on all project personnel and consultants and their respective status (contracts, ToRs, sick leave, vacation, etc.) in accordance with accepted policies and procedures.
  • Assist the RBAP Chief Economist, Regional Advisor, Inclusive Growth team in maintaining the records related to the work of the team in both hard copies and electronic files, and maintenance of project asset lists.

Provides Administrative Support To The Regional Practice Advisory Functions

  • Collection, analysis and presentation of information in support to the practice team’s research functions.
  • Provision of administrative service including workflows in relation to the procurement of goods and service for day-to-day operation and to meetings, seminars and workshops.
  • Efficient travel arrangements provided for the team as required, ensuring proper use of UNDP resources and in compliance with rules and regulations,
  • Proactive use of Quantum to support the work of the team and liaison with Management Support Unit on team Services Tracker issues.
  • Maintenance of event calendar for the team.

Supports resource mobilization initiatives

  • Preparation of contribution agreements in support of team activities.
  • Maintenance of relevant responsibilities according to contribution agreements, including donors’ payment.

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

  • Project Management:
    • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • Knowledge Generation:
    • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
  • Partnerships Management:
    • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
  • Budget Management:
    • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
  • Travel Policy and Procedures:
    • Knowledge of travel policy and procedures; ability to interpret travel policy, the Staff Rules, administrative circulars and financial regulations and rules on travel-related matters

Education

Required Skills and Experience

  • Secondary Education preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree (Bachelor´s Degree) in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences, or related fields will be given due consideration.

Experience

  • Experience in programme administration and budget monitoring is desirable.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
  • Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle Cloud, PeopleSoft, etc. is desirable.
  • Experience of working in UNDP or UN agencies is desirable.
  • Knowledge of administrative and finance policies of international organizations including the UN would be desirable
  • Fluency in English and Thai.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

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