Title: Project Assistant

​Requisition ID: 3185
Grade: G5
Country: Germany
Duty Station: Bonn
Category: Project-funded GS
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 100 series
Indicative Minimum Annual Salary: 44,919 EUR
Application Deadline: 28-Mar-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

Vacancy Announcement
This post is for local recruitment only.
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Project Assistant works under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP) and the direct supervision of the Head of the Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Germany (ITPO Germany) in close collaboration with colleagues to support the mandate of the Division to engage in match-making and partnership development at corporate, institutional, and political levels to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in becoming attractive investment locations resulting in increased levels of investments and, through investors and partners that the ITPOs bring to the table, engage in technology exchange partnerships that enable them to adopt new technologies for sustainable industrial development.

At the G5 level the incumbent is expected to perform independent and specialized processes focusing on consistent service delivery and support services within the organizational environment and team. His/her interventions result in process consistency.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Head of ITPO Germany and in close coordination with experts involved in the implementation of the project, the Project Assistant provides support in the development and administration of technical cooperation programmes and projects as well as clerical and administrative support and is responsible for the following key functions:

• Screen incoming mail and draft reply for supervisor’s signature on non-technical aspects; provide relevant background/project information whenever necessary to supervisor(s); keeps track of pending matters, follow up with other offices on deadlines.

• Screen phone calls and visitors. Respond to complex information requests and inquiries as necessary, as well as to refer queries to appropriate personnel for handling.

• Draft routine and non-routine correspondence (both on administrative and/or TC-related matters); and put them into adequate style, language and format; proofread documents and edit texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style in accordance with standard practices and in compliance with the UNIDO Correspondence Manual.

• Assist in the preparation of papers and presentations by extracting/summarizing statistics; undertake computer based searches, compile background information to assist in project identification and formulation.

• Initiate exercises related to the implementation of the projects (e.g.: budget revisions, obligation reviews, re- phasing, completion of projects, issuance of new project allotment documents, and monitoring related exercises, or other administrative functions as per the specific specialization of the job).

• Interpret or consult to clarify the application of new financial procedures and rules, UNIDO Administrative Instructions, policies and Regulations and Rules, TC guidelines and other instructions. Advise experts and other team members on application of administrative, financial and procurement rules.

• Keep track of project budget expenditures; recommend and initiate budget revisions; complete justification for budget revisions; provide information and draw supervisor’s attention to problems encountered. Retrieve substantive information on administrative matters and the project from the SAP modules.

• Using SAP, initiate and follow up on actions related to recruitment of staff, experts, training and study tours, purchase of equipment, payments, travel authorizations requests/claims and deal with all related inquiries.

• Perform all administrative tasks such as arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, research for information and reference material. Prepare requests/documents, e.g. ToR, raise Shopping Carts and Purchase Orders, travel requests/authorizations, expenditure authorizations, visa support letters and applications, etc.

• Assist in maintaining effective communication, coordination and working relations with the relevant counterparts and stakeholders.

• Maintain project equipment inventories (asset management) and ensure appropriate use.

• Assist with on boarding of new project personnel (consultants).

• Assist in drafting regular and/or ad-hoc reports on project activities.

• Maintain an up-to-date filing system (both paper and electronic) and databases related to work.

• Carry out ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required.

• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

CORE VALUES AND KEY COMPETENCIES

Core Values
WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.
WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.
WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies
WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.
WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.
WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.
WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Education: Completed higher secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent), is required. Formal administrative/secretarial/clerical training or equivalent, is desirable.

Credit towards total working experience may be considered on a year by-year- basis, up to maximum of four years, for a higher degree education (including first university degree or equivalent diploma and/or master’s degree), in a relevant field to the post.

Technical and Functional Experience:
• A minimum of eight (8) years of work experience in the related fields of the post, is required.
• Experience in office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is desirable.
• Experience in project administration, accounting and finance, providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills to assist in the execution of project development and implementation of work, is desirable.
• Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet, is required.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and German is required.

NOTE: Eligible internal UNIDO applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current post if applying for a higher-level position. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher-level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.

For further information on salaries, refer to the International Civil Service Commission website: https://icsc.un.org/

Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.unido.org/

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org