Back Project Assistant

Young population of the planet is currently estimated at 1.8 billion people, making it the largest generation of youth the world has ever known. Growing number and size of the youth has brought about the necessity of creating new paradigms at local, regional and international levels on working with and for the young people.

In 1995 the Member States of the United Nations directed the international community’s response to youth issues by adopting the “World Program of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond (WPAY)”. Complemented (officially) in 2007, the WPAY constitutes the first global blueprint for effective national youth policies.

Several other global initiatives were taken by the United Nations to address the issues concerning youth since that WPAY. These efforts culminated in the announcement of “working with and for young people” as one of his five priorities for his second term in office by the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and appointment of first-ever Envoy on Youth in early 2013. On 9 December 2015 UN Security Council has adopted Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.

Azerbaijan is one of the most advanced countries in the area of the investments into the youth sector. Currently approximately 27% of the total population (~3 million people) falls into the category of youth (aged 14-29), making the youth one of the top priorities in the political agenda. The country has quickly established a legislative basis in this direction by adopting the Law on Youth Policy (2002). The law was further supplemented with 3 State Programs on Youth with the recent one covering the years 2017-2021 which contains concrete action plans with clear focus on enhancing youth engagement in socio-economic, political and cultural life of the country. In 2015 the “Strategy on Development of Azerbaijani Youth in 2015-2025” was adopted as well.

In 2009 Azerbaijan was the first among CIS countries to adopt the Law on volunteerism. Young people take an active part as volunteers in different national and international scale events organized in Azerbaijan.

In October 2016, the National Coordination Council on Sustainable Development has been established, composed of representatives of all relevant governmental bodies with the aim of contributing to achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the youth policy of the country can serve as example for other countries around the world.

On 26 March 2014 Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and United Nations which was later confirmed by the Order 212 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 8 July 2014.

The objective of the project is to support the formation and development of new directions and opportunities that will strengthen youth participation and mainstreaming in national and international levels, as well as to contribute to youth development processes in Azerbaijan.

The project focuses on three specific objectives:

1)     To expand and strengthen Model UN movement in Azerbaijan

2)     To support the selection of SDG Youth Ambassadors and youth participation in development of Voluntary National Reports

3)     To contribute to expansion of volunteer activities in Azerbaijan and its adaptation to international experience

Both the overall and specific objectives of this action conform to policy of the Government of Azerbaijan on youth mainstreaming and reflect the ideas expressed in the “Development Strategy of Azerbaijani Youth in 2015-2025” and “State Program on Azerbaijani Youth 2017-2021”.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of UNDP Programme Adviser, 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;
• Follow-up on timely disbursements by UNDP CO;
• 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
• Perform other duties as required.

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;

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Social Sciences, Business Administration or other related directions 

Experience:

• At least 2 years experience in development projects  at the national and international level
• Experience in finance and administering project budgets is required.
• Experience with UN and other  international organizations would be asset

Language requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Azerbaijani is required.

Contract Duration: 1(one) year service contract with possibility for extension subject to satisfactory performance and