Project Associate, Partnerships Development and Advocacy

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 has been supporting the development efforts of Kazakhstan since independence, with major focus on all pillars of sustainable development: social, economic, and environmental. Its work is aimed at strengthening human development for all so that no one is left behind.

The UNDP CO jointly with the Government institutions and other stakeholders implements several strategic initiatives in various sectors ranging from public administration issues to building social cohesion and supporting resilience measures. Governance area is an integral part of the UNDP CO programme, which primarily focuses on building effective, efficient, transparent, and accountable institutions, free of corruption.

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.

Institutional Support to the Astana Civil Service Hub, Phase 4 (ACSH) – one of the flagship initiatives established in 2013 by the Government of Kazakhstan and UNDP – is an institutional framework and a platform for continuous exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of civil service. Since its inception, the ACSH has become a significant example of multilateral cooperation and a networking platform promoting and supporting public service excellence, by assisting the efforts of governments of the participating countries – particularly those in the immediate region – in building institutional and human capacity through three main pillars: (i) partnerships and networking; (ii) capacity building and peer-to-peer learning; and (iii) research and knowledge management.

The growing demand for the ACSH initiatives is evident by the increasing number of its participating countries rising from 25 to 43 and its institutional partners rising from 5 to 90 during the past eleven years. Through the ACSH, participating countries and partnering organizations are engaged in exchanging and testing up-to-date knowledge, which will build capacity, generate innovative solutions, and contribute to global agendas on civil service excellence. In 2024 ACSH entered its next phase, for the period of three years (2024-2026). Thus, it is interested to continue its successful trajectory in implementing demand-driven activities – on public administration and civil service reform, governance, public service delivery and HR, and on innovation and transformation processes in the public sector, as well as to further advance and refine its knowledge products. The vision is to further contribute to the establishment of modern, effective, and sustainable civil service systems in ACSH participating countries and beyond that meet society’s expectations for responsive, accountable, and transparent public institutions in the countries of the region and beyond.

• Scope of Work

The Project Associate coordinates and supports the development, management and implementation of the ACSH’s strategy, particularly in provision of partnerships development, advocacy policy, and networking modalities of the ACSH. S/he concurrently develops and organises partnership activities at national as well as international levels based on demand-driven and evidence-based approaches. S/he works in close collaboration with the ACSH team, UNDP CO, Government officials, practitioners, and scholars in civil service/public administration of the ACSH’s participating countries.

Duties And Responsibilities

The key responsibility of the Project Associate is to provide full expert and technical support in implementation of all ACSH partnerships and networking strategy and approaches, as well as advocacy policies, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted performance of the functions described below:

Ensures efficient support for development and implementation of partnership strategies, focusing on achieving the following results:

• Assist in developing effective partnership relations with all participating countries and institutional partners of the ACSH, and beyond;
• Support the development of efficient partnership with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the networking strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc;
• Contribution to design and implement partnership strategies, work with current and potential participants of the ACSH, think tanks and relevant institutions, to enhance ACSH /Project delivery and resource mobilization;
• Assist in identifying potential partners, including government bodies, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and international donors, to enhance organisation’s partnership strategies;
• Work closely with ACSH team to support and coordinate the organization of roundtable discussions, conferences, workshops, seminars, training, and other partnership and capacity building events, including delivery of outputs (products).

Formulation and implementation of project public information and advocacy strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assist in developing and implement strategies to increase and improve public outreach of ACSH’s activities.
• Assist in identifying policy advocacy issues from ACSH interventions and formulation and implementation of advocacy strategies to strengthen impact of ACSH interventions contributing to achieve project outputs.
• Develop and manage the data base of all project’s stakeholders and partners to assist the ACSH team to communicate and promote its activities.
• Provide technical support in supervision of translation/adaptation/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials.
• Support increased visibility and awareness of both ACSH and UNDP’s mandate and goals through dissemination of information andsupport the organization of advocacy campaigns, conferences, and events.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support to colleagues in identification, documenting and drafting of best practices and lessons learned.
• Organize and facilitate peer-to-peer learning sessions, knowledge-sharing events, and collaborative platforms.
• Contribute to the process of knowledge for dissemination at all levels and produces documents that capture the right stakeholders including production of knowledge-based products.
• Assist in organizing internal and external networks relevant to the Project covering prominent experts in government, non-government, think tanks, international development organizations and the UN system.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of capacity-building activities and provide feedback for improvement.
• Assist in conducting research and analysis on relevant topics to support partnership development, networking, and advocacy efforts.
• Provide support in the development of training materials and resources to support capacity-building initiatives.

Ensure provision of services, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of partnership agreements, communications, and project documentation;
• Prepare draft project reports, presentations, minutes of the meetings and translate various documents;
• Monitor project activities and report on progress, ensuring compliance with UNDP’s standards and guidelines.
• Collect, compile, and provide information when required as well as provide assistance and support to programme staff in preparation of different presentations, reports, programme profiles;
• Assist the Project Manager with project related matters when needed;
• Provide logistical services and event arrangement and management for the ACSH team, including travel requisitions and claims;
• Provide technical and operational support to the ACSH staff in planning, development and implementation of project’s activities, and facilitate the effective delivery of the outputs;
• Perform other tasks that may be needed to ensure effective implementation of the partnership and networking strategy of the ACSH and UNDP CO;

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

Business direction and strategy

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP

Business development

Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Knowledge Facilitation

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business management

Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Digital Awareness and Literacy

• Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed 2030 Agenda: Peace Governance
• Public Administration and Local Governance, 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

Required Skills And Experience

Min. Academic Education

Secondary education is required. OR

University degree in political science, public relations, public policy, international relations, or in any other relevant social science field will be given due consideration but not a requirement

Min. Years Of Relevant Work Experience

Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (for bachelor’s degree holders) of relevant working experience in international organisations with focus on partnerships and networking development, advocacy in the field of civil service and public administration;

Required Skills

Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages.

Desired Additional Skills And Competencies

Experience performing a similar work, partnership development, networking building and advocacy.

Relevant experience in working with the UN, or other international organizations will be an advantage.

Good computer skills (MS Office essential; Adobe Photoshop, an asset) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

Required Language(s) (at Working Level)

Fluency in English, Kazakh and Russian

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

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