Project Operations Associate (open to external applicants) at UNDP

Bishkek City, , Kyrgyzstan -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

26 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

25 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Project Planning, Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Operational Support, Administrative Support, Logistics Coordination, Data Analysis, Procurement, Asset Management, Workplan Preparation, Monitoring And Reporting, Digital Awareness, Evidence And Data Management, Communication, Budget Management, Events Management

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Tiered Approach In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby: Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply. Background Following its Country Programme Document (CPD) for the Kyrgyz Republic for 2023-2027, UNDP supports the Kyrgyz Republic in moving towards a low-carbon, risk-informed and resilient development, sustaining and protecting healthy ecosystems to implement international climate action commitments. The Climate, Environment and Energy (CEE) Cluster is the largest programme cluster at UNDP Country Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, focusing on delivering solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation policies, environmental protection, biodiversity, natural resources management, sustainable energy and disaster risk management. The cluster works with a variety of partners at regional, national, and sub-national levels for the transparent, accountable, and sustainable management of natural resources, renewable energy, ecosystem services, chemicals, and waste, for ensuring better livelihoods for the Kyrgyz citizens. At a larger scale, the CEE’s interventions are aimed at helping the Kyrgyz Republic transition toward a low-emission and climate resilient sustainable development, prepare for and build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and pursue low-carbon development pathways that guarantee a cleaner, greener, and a more secure future. It is within this context that UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic is looking to bring on board the Project Operations Associate will provide administration, logistics and finance support to the Biodiversity and Nature Solutions team in Kyrgyzstan. This person will keep the required records and will prepare the financial and operational information required by the Project Management Unit (PMU) Kyrgyzstan and review finance related tasks. Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Programme Coordinator, the Project Operations Associate will support project implementation by undertaking the following scope of work. Support the project team to ensure effective project planning, budgeting and implementation focusing on the achievement of the following results: Coordination of project planning and preparation work for, typically, a medium-sized and complex component of the project initiatives. Analysis, research, summary and presentation of basic information/data on specific projects and related topics. Implement project standard operating procedures in line with the government and UNDP’s regulations. Support the effective reporting on the progress of project implementation Provides assistance in the preparation of projects workplan; ensuring requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; proposes adjustments as necessary; prepares reports and ensures that outputs/services are properly categorized. Preparation of results-oriented progress reports, in line with the monitoring and reporting guidelines and presenting it to the project assurance team in a timely manner. Preparation of data for monitoring of projects; categorization, updating, tracking and analyzing data related to projects, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions, etc.; carries out periodic status reviews Identification of issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions Preparation of reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verification of availability of funds. Preparation for financial authorizations for expenditures to be approved and documentation in prevailing budget system. Provision of administrative support for annual and quarterly work plans as well as, operational and financial closure of a project. Provides administrative support to the Project Management Unit focusing on the achievement of the following results: Supporting the team and serving as focal point for administrative issues related to coordination, monitoring and expedition of project implementation activities Preparation of draft standard terms of reference against project objectives, obtained necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and provision of solutions to the issues related to project implementation, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, security compliance, etc. As focal point for responding to simple information requests and inquiries; review and establishment of filling management system; organization of meetings, and workshops; monitoring of the implementation of various routine administrative tasks. Preparation of draft correspondence on project budget-related issues, periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc. Supervision of driver and other clerical level personnel. Support strategic partnerships, communication, and support to the implementation of resource mobilization: Updated database of the relevant public and development partners private sector, civil society and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the project. Establishment of filing management for internal databases; updated statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate audit and other reviews. Supporting the communication team in the publication of multiple languages report as a tool to communicate results, deepen stakeholder knowledge and buy-in to the project, and resource mobilization for the project, In coordination with supervisor, communication, monitoring and reporting personnel and other relevant counterpart communications department drafts project summaries, coordinates with editor, translation services, etc. Preparation of draft correspondence of all aspects of programme/project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as preparing project’s contributions for a variety of periodic reports Substantively contributes to knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on the achievement of the following results: Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff. Documentation of lessons learned and best practices in project support management function. Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as ethical principle within all actions. activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”. Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender is respected within all implementations including data production. Differentiated needs of women and men are considered. Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created. Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, training etc. introduced. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation Institutional Arrangement: Project Operations Associate will work under the supervision of Project Coordinator. 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: Business management - Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed Business management - Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 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 2030 Agenda - People - Gender Gender mainstreaming Business Management - Budget management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets Admin and operation - Events management (incl retreats, trainings and meetings) Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc. Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns. Required Skills and Experience Education: Secondary education is required, OR University degree (bachelor’s degree) in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, Management, Social Science, Public Administration, Environment, or relevant related fields will be given due consideration but not a requirement. Experience: Minimum 6 years (with high school degree) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required. Required skills: Solid computer skills required, knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Relevant experience in administrative, financial, procurement, asset management and/or project activities would be necessary. Experience in project planning and budgeting. Desired skills: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in managing complex operations and administrative processes within environment, natural resources, climate change and related projects, combined with ability to prepare high‑quality documentation on budgetary and financial matters, briefing notes, analytical summaries, and accounting spreadsheets. Experience in handling web-based management systems would be highly desirable. Familiar working with National, Provincial and District governments, in coordinating and conducting meetings, FGDs, workshops and other activities. Experience working with government, non-government, national and international stakeholders would be highly desirable. Experience in conflict resolution, inter-group mediation, as well as prevention of conflicts of interest is strongly desirable. Required languages: fluency English, Kyrgyz and Russian is required. Professional certificates: n/a Equal opportunity As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all. Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. Right to select multiple candidates 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. Scam alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Responsibilities

The Project Operations Associate will provide essential administration, logistics, and finance support to the Biodiversity and Nature Solutions team, focusing on effective project planning, budgeting, and implementation oversight. Key duties include coordinating project planning, preparing financial and operational reports, managing administrative tasks for the Project Management Unit, and supporting strategic partnerships and communication efforts.