Background
The Project for Supporting Self-reliance of Vulnerable People including Afghan Residents in Surkhandarya Region aims to foster socio-economic resilience and regional stability by empowering Afghan citizens and economically disadvantaged Uzbeks through skills development, entrepreneurship, and cross-border cooperation.
The Surkhandarya region, which borders Afghanistan, faces high unemployment and poverty rates, further exacerbated by the influx of Afghan citizens. Many of these individuals are skilled but face barriers such as language, lack of recognized qualifications, and limited access to employment. The project addresses these challenges by transforming the Educational Centre for Training Afghan Citizens (ECTAC) into a center of excellence for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and agricultural training.
Key interventions include:
Modernizing ECTAC with state-of-the-art facilities such as science, technology, engineering, and math labs, a greenhouse lab, and a controlled environment storage lab. Delivering intensive TVET courses in fields like agronomy, mechanical engineering, computer technologies, and healthcare to both Afghan and Uzbek citizens. Fostering entrepreneurship through business incubation, paid internships, and capacity-building workshops, including exposure to the “One Village One Product” (OVOP) model. Providing equipment and materials to support group start-ups and micro-entrepreneurs in launching or expanding their businesses.The project is grounded in the UN’s “leave no one behind” principle and aligns with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda by promoting women’s participation in economic and community development. Through a comprehensive and inclusive approach, the project seeks to reduce unemployment, enhance livelihoods, and contribute to long-term peace and prosperity in the region.
In this context, UNDP is seeking a qualified Project Associate to provide administrative, logistical, and operational support to ensure the smooth and efficient implementation of project activities. The incumbent will play a key role in supporting day-to-day project operations, coordination with stakeholders, and compliance with UNDP administrative procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator in close coordination with the UNDP Country Office operations team, the Project Associate will provide administrative, logistical, and operational support to ensure the smooth and efficient implementation of project activities. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting day-to-day project operations, ensuring compliance with UNDP administrative and financial procedures, and facilitating coordination among project staff, consultants, and partners.
Administrative and Operational Support:
Provide administrative support to the Project Coordinator and project team in the implementation of daily activities; Organize meetings, workshops, field visits, and other project-related events, including preparation of agendas, minutes, and logistical arrangements; Maintain project files and ensure proper documentation and filing of administrative and operational records.Human Resources and Recruitment Support:
Assist in the recruitment of project personnel, including preparation of job descriptions, vacancy announcements, and interview logistics; Support onboarding and contract management processes for project staff, consultants, and experts; Maintain updated records of project personnel and consultants, including contract status, deliverables, and performance evaluations.Financial and Budgetary Support:
Preparation of annual and quarterly budget plans, cost estimates, and financial forecasts; Preparation and processing of payment requests, advance requests, and financial reports in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures; Maintain a monitoring system for tracking project expenditures, obligations, balances, and payments; Ensure timely reconciliation of accounts and alignment of financial records with project budgets.Procurement and Asset Management:
Support procurement processes in coordination with the Procurement Associate, including preparation of requisitions, vendor communications, and follow-up on deliveries; Maintain inventory records and ensure proper tagging, tracking, and reporting of project assets and equipment; Assist in the preparation of procurement and asset-related documentation for audits and reporting.Travel and Logistics:
Coordinate travel arrangements for project staff, consultants, and stakeholders, including booking of transport, accommodation, and travel authorizations; Prepare travel claims and ensure timely processing of reimbursements in accordance with UNDP travel policies; Support logistical arrangements for field missions, study tours, and training events.Compliance, Monitoring, and Reporting:
Ensure full compliance of administrative and financial processes with UNDP rules, regulations, and internal control frameworks; Analyze potential administrative and financial issues and propose solutions to ensure smooth project operations; Contribute to the preparation of project progress reports, administrative updates, and audit documentation.Other Duties:
Promote gender equality and social inclusion in all administrative and operational aspects of the project.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator in close collaboration with relevant project partners and the UNDP Country Office operations team, the Project Associate will be responsible for providing administrative, logistical, and operational support to ensure the effective implementation of project activities.
The Project Associate will deliver high-quality and timely operational services, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with UNDP rules and procedures. The incumbent will work closely with government counterparts, project staff, and UNDP programme and operations teams to facilitate smooth coordination, information exchange, and consistent service delivery. The Associate will assume day-to-day responsibility for supporting the operational and administrative functions necessary for the successful achievement of project outputs.
Competencies
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 and Technical Competencies
Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks. Link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions. Learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends. Demonstrate foresight. Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Integration within the UN: Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work. Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. Communication: 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. Event Planning and Execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate. Events Management (including retreats, trainings and meetings): Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary education is required. Bachelor’s degree in any of the following areas: Finance, Economics, Business administration, Environment, or similar areas 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 experience in a project administration.Required Skills:
Strong financial and administrative skills, result and client-orientation, ability to work in a team.Desired Skills:
Previous experience with UNDP or UN project. Proven experience in administrative and operational support within development projects, including organizing events, managing documentation, and coordinating logistics. Demonstrated ability to manage financial and budgetary processes, including preparation of financial reports, payment processing, and expenditure tracking in line with UNDP or similar institutional standards. Experience in supporting recruitment and HR processes, including contract management, onboarding, and performance tracking of project personnel and consultants. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with audit and reporting requirements. Proficiency in using web-based management systems and digital tools, such as ERP platforms, e-recruitment systems, and online collaboration tools. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications, with the ability to analyze data and prepare administrative reports. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively, especially under pressure and tight deadlines. Experience in coordinating travel and logistics for field missions, workshops, and study tours, including handling travel claims and authorizations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in multicultural teams and engage with diverse stakeholders.Required Languages:
Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. Good command of Russian is desirable.Travel:
Official travel expected in project target regions with performing the functions of Project Associate for this project.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.