Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched in Turkmenistan in 1995 and has become trusted strategic development partner of the country, together with the government and other development actors in Turkmenistan.

Being the biggest UN agency, UNDP in Turkmenistan employs approximately 70 staff members and projects’ personnel and implements roughly 25 projects with annual delivery of nearly USD 60 million in 2025. Under the new UNDP-Turkmenistan Country Programme, the organisation is well positioned to provide analytical, advisory, and implementation services in the following areas:

• Governance and inclusive economic growth
• Resilience, climate change & energy
• Access to inclusive health services

The UNDP Country Office requires an incumbent who can effectively combine general administrative duties with basic financial support functions. Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Head of the Finance Unit and the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) for Operations, the Operations Assistant will provide high‑quality clerical support across general administration, travel‑related processes, and basic finance functions, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance in all assigned tasks.

The Operations Assistant will work closely with operations, programme, and project teams within the Country Office, fostering a client-oriented approach in line with UNDP rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide general administrative assistance focusing on achievement of the following results and ensuring the highest level of accuracy and attention to details

• Ensure full compliance of UN/UNDP rules and regulations, operational policies and strategies and Quantum procedures.
• Assist in the organizing and coordination of events management, such as conferences, workshops, retreats (e.g. logistics, catering, venue preparation and document preparation for events).
• Prepare minutes of meetings and translate documents when needed.
• Provide support in conducting DSA and other administrative surveys. 
• Support quarterly inventory physical count for the country office and help with preparation relevant reports, support country office in biannual asset verification and certification exercise.
• Supports to ensure audit readiness in collecting and compiling relevant data and information.
• Perform other administrative tasks when necessary.

        2. Provide support for the implementation of travel-related processes focusing on achievement of the following results and ensuring the highest level of accuracy and attention to details:

• Process travel authorization and travel claim in line with travel entitlements for staff, consultants, UN and visitors, ensuring that the travel arrangement follow the UN rules of most direct route and most competitive prices.
• Support to develop plan missions for delegations in country and within country.
• Supports Travel Profile creation as required.
• Prepares Travel related reports on a regular basis.
• Ensures the timely processing of invoices for travel service providers.
• Supports the maintenance of all documentation and records relating to the travel and protocol related activities.

• Supports the development of Logistics Notes for events, ensuring accuracy of information relating to travel and protocol matters.

       3. Provide clerical support for financial processes focusing on achievement of the following results and ensuring the highest level of accuracy and attention to details:

• Review supporting documents for payments and other financial documents for management and development projects, non-Quantum Agencies.
• Process projects and Agencies’ invoices in Quantum.
• Prepare payment orders for the bank and when required make visits to the local bank to process payments.
• Fil out the check payments and monitor checkbook sequences for USD and TMT payments, ensuring timely requests for new checkbook from the bank.
• Daily monitor payment status in Quantum (approved/ pending/ validated/ needs revalidation/on hold/rejected) and take appropriate actions to resolve the exception.
• Track online bank statements (TMT, USD) for processed payments; in case of returned payments, take appropriate actions and/or inform FU colleagues for resolution. 
• Prepare letters to the bank, as required.
• Maintain proper filing of finance documents and correspondence.
• Monitor the SharePoint website for uploaded payment requests from UNDP projects.
• Update payment status promptly on SharePoint website by organizing in folders (update ‘In process’, ‘paid’ folders).
• Respond to projects and Agencies’ requests on processed payments.

       4. Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing 

• Participate in training on internal procedures for the project staff and provide support to the organization of training and other capacity building activities as needed. 
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. 

• Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required. Or
• University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in administration/ finance or programme/ project support services in public or private sector. 
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).
• Experience within the UN system or other international development agencies is an asset.
• Experience in supporting financial management is an asset.
• Experience in supporting travel management is an asset. 
• Experience in providing support in audit readiness processes is an asset. 
• Knowledge and practical experience in web-based Enterprise Resource Planning system is an asset.

Knowledge of Languages:

• Fluency in Russian and Turkmen languages is required
• Working level of English is desired. 

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.