Project Associate at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Project Associate will be responsible for providing efficient and effective project implementation support for BES-Net. More specifically, in full compliance with UNDP POPP, rules and regulations, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

Budget planning and financial management:

• Provide support in the development of multi-year and annual work plans (AWPs) and assist in the formulation of budgets;
• Prepare project delivery status reports and reconcile financial data at regular intervals and assist in the revision of AWPs;
• Review and verify financial transactions, activities and documentation, taking corrective actions as needed and reporting any unusual activities;
• Prepare and present periodic financial reports and analyses as per the donor requirements and for other internal/external purposes;
• Ensure that internal expenditures control systems are maintained;
• Oversee that petty cash is managed and cleared.

Project implementation and coordination:

• Support the smooth transition of the BES-Net operations from ATLAS to Quantum in line with corporate processes and timelines;
• Oversee all day-to-day accounts, budgetary and financial management of the project;
• Lead the coordination with the responsible parties through the timely review of quarterly financial reports, disbursement of the management of advances;
• Assist in the process of projects’ audit assurance activities, verifications and evaluations;
• Assist in performing timely project closures;
• Provide proposals and support the implementation of cost-saving, reduction and business improvement strategies for the project in consultation with the HQ/UNDP Kenya operations.

Project administration support:

• Support constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment and adjustments in execution modalities, management arrangement and implementation capacities;
• Contribute to the formulation, periodic revisions and implementation of procurement/HR plans, ensuring that plans are updated in a timely manner in coordination with the relevant HQ and UNDP Kenya focal points;
• Support the organization and coordination of meetings/events and duty missions;
• Support the inventory and management of project assets, equipment, correspondence and files, including disposal, in coordination with the asset management focal points;
• Assist in addressing operational and protocol issues in close liaison with UNDP Kenya;
• Undertake other tasks as required by the Project Manager.

Institutional Arrangement:

• The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Programme Specialist (BES-Net Project Manager), and in close coordination with the Administrative Associate. She/he is expected to communicate regularly with the relevant operations counterparts in UNDP Kenya and HQs, and support/offer guidance to the BES-Net team and their implementing partners on matters related to financial management, operations and Quantum to increase their effectiveness.

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 a 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 

Required skills and competencies:

• Demonstrated experience in project implementation support;
• Proven experience in project and financial monitoring;
• Experience in handling web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably PeopleSoft/Quantum;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages;
• Certification in Administration or finance training such as ACCA will be an added advantage;
• Experience in accrual accounting, IPSAS, or IFRS is highly desirable;
• Experience in working with UNDP;
• UNDP Certification in Project Management, Procurement, HR, Accounting and Finance is an asset.

Education:

• Completed secondary education; or
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, economics degree or a related field.

Experience:

• Six (6) years of relevant experience (for those with secondary education) or three (3) years of relevant experience (with a bachelor’s degree), working in an operations function with specific experience in finance within the UN system.

Language:

• Fluency in English with excellent written and oral communication skills is required;
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.