UNDP Moldova: Project Officer (Analyst) (NPSA-8) - AdTrade Project

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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 AdTrade Project facilitates cross-river cooperation and expands access of enterprises from Transnistria region (particularly micro, small and medium sized enterprises - MSMEs) to export promotion mechanisms available on the right bank.

The project provides tailored support and develops capacities based on specific needs of current and future exporters, but also provisions methodological and practical assistance to establish long-term trade links and to promote exports. In the framework of this initiative, existing companies and start-ups will be supported to create new jobs for women and vulnerable groups.

These goals will be achieved through cross-river exchange of knowledge and experience, but also by understanding the opportunities provided by the on the Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed between the UK and Moldova and DCFTA to companies from the Transnistria region. At the same time, benefiting companies and associations will learn from best practices of businesses from Eastern and Central Europe.

Main efforts will be dedicated to reviving the MSMEs sector which is underdeveloped in the Transnistria region. The Project duration is envisaged between 2018-2023 with support from Governments of Sweden and United Kingdom.
Duties and Responsibilities

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.

Summary of Key Functions:

The Project Officer (Analyst) /Business Development will be part of the Project Management Team (PMT) and will, under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, be responsible for managing the successful implementation of the project activities. The Project Officer (Analyst) will interact closely with short-term experts.

The incumbent will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the project) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients. More specifically:

Ensure practical coordination of assigned areas of project activities in order to meet expected results. Contribute to the annual activity and procurement work plans as well as budgets based on expected year end outputs. Ensure close monitoring of activities and disbursements;
Support project development and formulation. Under the supervision of the Project Manager design, plan and monitor project activities. Ensure the high quality of the concept papers, terms of references, proposal outlines and agreements in close cooperation with service providers and/or grant recipients;
Establish monitoring and evaluation systems. Establish a system of progress review with each of the implementing partners;
Ensure timely submission of financial and activity reports by implementing partners, and ensure harmonized reporting by recipients on key performance indicators;
Advise service providers and/or grant recipients on strategies to facilitate results-based implementation of project activities, and ensure constant feedback on quality of their implementation, suggesting corrective measures as necessary;
Support the selection, capacity assessment, contracting, monitoring, evaluation and audit of recipients, ensuring compliance with UNDP regulations;
Contribute to the preparation of qualitative work plans and financial progress reports as may be required by the Project Manager. Provide close support for the preparation of procurement/contracting and financial delivery reports for UNDP management. Timely submit the above mentioned deliverables;
Contribute to the wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements. Support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels;
Maintain close coordination with assigned project partners, helping at ensuring synergies and avoiding overlaps in project implementation.

Additional Responsibilities

In close coordination with the Project Manager, assume full responsibility for and manage effectively and efficiently all project activities and resources (human, financial, physical / material assets, etc.) of the project in order to meet expected results.
Coordinate short term experts.
Undertake personnel performance appraisals for the experts supervised/coordinated.
Assist the Project Manager in the development of annual activity and procurement work plans as well as budgets based on expected year-end outputs, and assist in developing periodical project and other reports and close monitoring of activities and disbursements.
Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide. Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning.
Contribute to the wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements. Support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels.
Provide regular reports to the Project manager and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately.

Institutional Arrangement

Direct supervisor: Project Manager

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer (Analyst) /Business Development contributes to the effective and efficient implementation of the of the trade and business development activities, through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The incumbent applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Officer (Analyst) /Business Development works in close collaboration with the Project Team, and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery.
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:

Business Direction & Strategy

Strategic Thinking

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP's objectives; linking the vision to reality on the ground and creating tangible solutions. Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Development

Human-centered Design

Ability to develop solutions to problems involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process

Business Management

Risk Management

Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business management

Monitoring

Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Business management

Operations Management

Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Business Management

Partnership Management

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide network of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management

Digital Awareness and Literacy

Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in economics, social science, business administration, management, or other related fields relevant to the position.
Bachelor’s Degree in combination with two years of relevant experience can be taken into consideration in lieu of Master’s Degree.

Experience:

At least two (2) years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant professional experience of managing projects/initiatives in the field of business development and/or trade.
Experience in the public or private sector, development assistance and/or international organizations.
Experience of work in/with the Transnistria region and a good understanding of related issues is a very strong advantage.

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian.
Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset

Required skills:

Strong communication, strategic planning, and analytical skills;
Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to management, including drafting reports, data evaluation, and sustainability reporting;
Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines;
Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
A proactive approach to problem-solving;
Computer literacy. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

a. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

b. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

c. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
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.

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Vacancy End Date: 5 August 2022

To apply please address the link: https://bit.ly/3Q5PPaq