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.
The UNDP Moldova Strategic Support Unit (SSU) is a specialized team established to advance strategic coherence, policy innovation, and impactful development interventions across Moldova. The SSU reports to the UNDP Moldova’s Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and measurable impacts.
Operating within the broader context of UNDP Moldova’s commitment to supporting the country’s sustainable development, the SSU aligns its efforts with UNDP’s overarching mandate to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilient, inclusive institutions. UNDP Moldova plays a central role in accelerating Moldova’s progress toward its national development priorities, including the Moldova 2030 Strategy, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its partnerships with the government, civil society, and private sector, UNDP Moldova supports reforms, fosters innovation, and delivers results across key areas such as governance, economic development, digital transformation, and social inclusion.
The SSU’s role is critical in supporting the country’s progress toward these priorities, with a strong emphasis on fostering resilience, inclusivity, and innovation. The Unit operates in close collaboration with UNDP Moldova’s programming/cluster teams, government institutions, civil society, and private sector partners. This collaborative framework ensures alignment with Moldova’s strategic objectives, leveraging synergies and partnerships to enhance institutional capacity and promote effective governance across key development sectors.
The SSU consists of a multidisciplinary team of experts, including specialists in policy development, digital integration, communications, gender and inclusion, and partnership-building. This team works together to provide comprehensive, integrated support to address challenges like digital transformation, public administration reform, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Inclusivity remains a core principle of the SSU’s initiatives, ensuring equitable development outcomes.
The Unit supports the advancement of digitalization, the strengthening of public service delivery, and the promotion of evidence-based policy design. By bridging gaps between projects and aligning them with strategic frameworks, the SSU ensures that all interventions maximize their potential for meaningful impact.
Through its adaptive, forward-looking approach, the SSU contributes to shaping a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future for Moldova. It reinforces UNDP’s role as a trusted partner in fostering Moldova’s progress in its national development aspirations.
The Programme Associate will ensure, in line with UNDP Moldova’s Strategic Support Unit’s scope, the provision of the following development services and products pertaining to an effective administrative and financial management, as well as procurement:
Contribute to the efficient delivery of the Programme, focusing on achievement of the following results: Undertake administrative, logistical, travel, procurement, financial and asset management tasks in full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and policies; Provide support to procure goods and services required by the programme, in liaison with the relevant staff and units of UNDP Country Office; Provide administrative support in arranging Programme related meetings when needed; Participate in the preparation of work plans, operation plans and procurement plans and periodical reviews thereof; Provide support in quality control of Programme activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery; Maintain an appropriate filing system and documenting the implementation to enable further operational and financial closure of the programme; Provide support in regular monitoring and data collection of Programme activities in accordance with work plan and procurement plan; Provide general secretarial and administrative assistance to the Programme in close liaison with UNDP teams, other UN agencies.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangements
The Programme Associate will execute the duties and responsibilities outlined above under the guidance and supervision of the of the Policy Specialist. The Programme Associate will work in close collaboration with the SSU team as well as the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. CompetenciesCross-Functional and Technical Competencies
Resource Management Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity. Operations Management Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organization’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms. Monitoring & Evaluation Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively. Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. Relationship Management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding. Budget Management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets. Procurement Management The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source. Assets Management Knowledge of policy & procedures on PP&E; ability to prepare financial statements on PP&E; maintain Asset Management Module in ATLAS, Asset Dashboard; develop supporting tools for assets certification and further enhancements for AM module; design and run training programs, etc. on assets management and assets recording; run AP-AM interface; perform AP-AM-GL reconciliation; perform analytical review of AM reports and asset information to ensure completeness and accuracy of asset information. Required Skills and Experience Education: Secondary Education is required, OR; Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, or related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement. Experience: Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant work experience in the field of administration, finance, business administration or public administration.Required Skills:
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.Desired Skills:
Experience of working for international organization related to project implementation and previous experience managing UNDP projects is desirable. Demonstrated experience in project administration is an asset. Demonstrated experience in financial administration is desirable. Demonstrated experience to communicate well and interact with key partners in project implementation and delivery is an advantage. Demonstrated experience in project-level or state/national-level monitoring and evaluation system implementation is an asset. Demonstrated experience in procurement-related tasks is desirable.Required Languages:
Fluency in English and Romanian is required. Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.Professional Certificates:
Additional training and/or certification in financial management and/or accounting would be an advantage. 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.