Back Project Assistant, Baku, Azerbaijan

Job ID: 34916

Practice Area - Job Family: Women's Empowerment

Vacancy End Date: (Midnight New York, USA) 14/02/2021

Duty Station: Baku, Azerbaijan

Education & Work Experience: G-Bachelor's Level Degree - 3 year(s) experience

Languages: Azerbaijani, English

Russian

Grade: SB2

Vacancy Type: Service Contract (SC)

Posting Type: External

Bureau: Europe & the CIS

Contract Duration: 1 (one) year with the possibility for extension upon satisfactory performance

ONLY NATIONALS OF AZERBAIJAN ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY; ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED

Background

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) World Population State of the World (SWOP) 2020 suggested that around 140 million women and girls are believed to be missing today as a result of son preference and gender biased sex selection (GBSS), which itself is one manifestation of extensive gender discrimination. GBSS is a discriminatory practice that is rooted in multiple factors such as; deep-seated patriarchal attitudes and beliefs that value sons over daughters, declining fertility and the desire for small families, as well as the commercialization and misuse of medical technology that enables sex selection. It is a harmful practice and a manifestation of gender inequality. Eliminating GBSS requires addressing gender inequalities and harmful social norms; changing perception around the value of girls/daughters; enhancing women’s education, employment and political representation; amplifying access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) service and advocating for political commitment leading to laws and national policies banning the practice.

For more than 20 years, UNFPA has campaigned against the phenomenon, sounding the alarm over son preference and helping communities advocate against gender-biased sex selection. In March 2017, UNFPA, with funding from the European Union, launched the Global Programme to Prevent Son Preference and Gender-Biased Sex Selection, the first global effort of its kind. During Phase I (2017-2019) of the Global GBSS Programme, governments, civil society, communities and academia made significant efforts to halt the increasing sex ratio imbalance by addressing contributing factors in the areas of human rights, gender equality, social policy and public health. The Phase II of the Global Programme aims to scale up the successful results and effective practices achieved during Phase I, address gaps, and to foster gender-transformative approaches to eliminate discriminatory social norms and harmful practices by scaling up effective, evidence-based interventions. The primary target groups of the second phase of the programme are the national stakeholders in countries of prevalence in the South Caucasus at both national and subnational levels, academia and research institutions, international and national non-governmental. organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations, religious communities and faith-based organizations, and the media.

UNFPA is globally recognized as leading agency in the area of gender equality and prevention of harmful practices against women and girls and has a long experience of addressing challenging gender stereotypes and practices, affecting social change and advancing women’s and girls’ empowerment in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of UNFPA Programme Analyst and Project Officer, the Project Assistant will perform the following key functions:

• Collect, register and maintain all information on project activities;
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of progress reports;
• Monitor project activities, budgets and financial expenditures;
• Advise all project counterparts on applicable administrative procedures and ensures their proper implementation;
• Maintain project correspondence and communication;
• Support the preparations of project work-plans and operational and financial planning processes;
• Assist in procurement and recruitment processes;
• Assist in the preparation of payments requests for operational expenses, salaries, insurance, etc. against project budgets and work plans;
• Receive, screen and distribute correspondence and attach necessary background information;
• Prepare routine correspondence and memoranda for Project Managers signature;
• Assist in logistical organization of meetings, training and workshops;
• Prepare agendas and arrange field visits, appointments and meetings both internal and external related to the project activities and write minutes from the meetings;
• Maintain project filing system;
• Maintain records over project equipment inventory; and
• Carry out other duties and tasks as deemed necessary by the Programme Analyst and Project Officer.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Innovation-Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership-Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management-Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication-Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery-Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Ability to get things done

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Sharing and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Self-Management and Emotional Intelligence:

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Working in teams

• Accepts team role, contributes to the work of the team actively and constructively
• Works collaboratively with team members, sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Proactively pursues solutions to team problems and asks for help when needed
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals
• Takes action to resolve sources of tension or obstacles that may prevent a team from achieving its goals
• Integrate the ideas of team members from other disciplines/perspectives into his/her thinking by leveraging the different experiences and expertise
• Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise

• Ability to perform a broad range of specialized activities aimed at effective and efficient functioning of the project, including financial management, logistics and procurement, maintenance of protocol, information flow etc;
• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding the position;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion;
• Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations;
• Strong ability to establish, build and maintain effective working relationships with project staff and partners to facilitate the provision of required support;
• Is highly proficient in Microsoft Office tools (especially Word, Excel and Power Point) and use of the internet.

Client Orientation

• Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, Finance or other social sciences;

Experience:

• At least 3 years of professional experience in project assistance or finance, preferably in international development organisations;
• Previous experience with UN and/or other international organizations will be considered an asset;

Language requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Azerbaijani is required;
• Knowledge of Russian will be considered an asset.

Disclaimer

cXI606b-nAHY1