Programme Associate, UNDP Moldova Country Office

Programme Associate (NPSA-7) / UNDP Moldova Country Office

Deadline / Termenul-limită: 6 February 2025

To apply please follow the link/ Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: APPLY

Job Description

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.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

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.
     
• Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapt processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results: 
  • Full compliance with respective UNDP and donor rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; 
  • Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system; 
  • Personal initiative to perform daily work timely, efficiently, and in compliance with established rules and plans;
  • Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project;
  • Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.
     
• Provide financial support to the Programme, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Assist Programme team in drafting Programme progress reports with financial data;
  • Assist programme management in performing budget cycle: planning, preparation, revisions, and budget execution;
  • Provide assistance to partner agencies involved in Programme activities, performing and monitoring financial aspects to ensure compliance with budgeted costs in line with established policies and procedures;
  • Monitor Programme expenditures, ensuring that no expenditure is incurred before it has been authorized;
  • Perform preparatory work for mandatory and general budget revisions, annual physical inventory, auditing; and assist external evaluators in fulfilling their mission;
  • Ensure that all Programme financial activities are carried out on schedule and within budget to achieve the programme outputs;
  • Ensure timely submission of financial reports to the UNDP Country Office to verify the accuracy of such reports for the national partner or donor;
  • Provide financial monitoring over Programme commitments and expenditures and assist the Programme Manager in assuring proper Programme delivery;
  • Perform all other financial related duties, upon request.

• Provide operations support to the Programme, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Ensure that UNDP procurement rules are followed during procurement activities that are carried out by the programme and maintain responsibility for the inventory of the programme assets;
  • Coordination of surveys, DSA, travel agencies, organization of common services and other administrative surveys;
  • Prepare and timely submit travel documents in accordance with UNDP requirements;
  • Support with protocol matters, registration of staff, coordination with national partners on space and other administrative matters;
  • Compile, organize and file information and documents for reference and use by team members;
  • Preparation of documents set for vendor creation;
  • Ensure proper control of the supporting documents for payments;
  • Prepare and timely submit payment requests with proper support documentation to the UNDP Country Office; 
  • Control the usage and proper accounting of non-expendable equipment (record keeping, drawing up regular inventories), inventories and materials; 
  • Provide necessary administrative, financial and logistical support to the Programme events, including among other workshops, seminars, working meetings and visits of national and international delegations (visa support, transportation, hotel accommodation etc.); 
  • Keep files of Programme documents and expert reports and ensure general circulation of documents for knowledge management and sharing; 
  • Draft Programme correspondence and documents; finalize correspondence of administrative and financial nature; edit reports and other documents for correctness of form and content as required;
  • Assist in collection, preparation and submission of support documents for NPSA contracts extensions.

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.

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

• 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.

The monthly salary for this position ranges from 29,000 MDL to 35,800 MDL, depending on the candidate’s level of experience and qualifications.

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. 

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

Scam warning 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.