Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. 

UNDP Sri Lanka Country Office is partnering with Chrysalis with support from the Co-Impact Gender Fund to implement the “Promoting Economic Justice for Women” project. The project aims to address gendered implications within the national MSME financing ecosystem in Sri Lanka through transforming structures and creating a favourable, equitable and accessible business environment for women in the micro, small and medium enterprise sector. This project seeks to address systemic barriers by simultaneously strengthening the policy and regulatory environment and expanding access to affordable, gender-responsive financial services with a focus on empowering women-owned MSMEs to establish and grow. The project is expected to contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and responsive financial ecosystem that supports women’s economic empowerment. By addressing key bottlenecks at both the policy and service delivery levels, it aims to advance Sri Lanka’s national development priorities while contributing to global commitments under SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 8 (decent work and inclusive economic growth).

This project aligns with UNDP Sri Lanka’s longstanding engagement on Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), working with cooperatives and producer organisations. WEE is also a key priority through UNDP’s work with resettlement communities and strengthening MSMEs. 

In this context, a Project Associate is required to support the implementation of the project and related programme activities within the team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Policy and Programme Specialist and Team Leader - Sustainable Growth, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation.

• Support the day-to-day management of the Promoting Economic Justice for Women project (phase II). 
• Provide coordination, research inputs and data analysis as required to the Promoting Economic Justice for Women project, promoting efficient and effective delivery of the project, based on evidence and global best practice.
• Support the organization of events such as training programmes, workshops, field visits, outreach and awareness-raising campaigns, seminars, meetings of the Project Board (PB) and project-related communications.

2. Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project implementation.

• Collecting, analyzing, and organizing project data and information from various sources, preparing accurate and comprehensive project reports, and documenting project progress, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. 
• Effectively communicate project updates, findings, and recommendations to relevant parties and facilitate discussions or meetings to address project-related issues or concerns.

3. Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.

• Provide coordination and research support to the Sustainable Growth Team’s broader work on Women’s Economic Empowerment and local livelihoods/ skills/ MSME development including financial literacy. 
• Working closely with the CO Economist and Gender Specialist, provide ongoing support to the CO Feminist Economist platform and work related to the Global Lab on Gender Equal Economies as required. 

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 Project Associate will be directly supervised and report to the Policy and Programme Specialist and Team Leader – Sustainable Growth Team. 

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. 

Core Functional and Technical Competencies 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Development Economics, Gender Equality, or other relevant area will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Six years (with secondary education) or three years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience related to project coordination or support.
• Experience in supporting donor funded projects in livelihoods, economic empowerment and/or gender equality.

Desired Criteria

• Experience in policy and programming support related to socio-economic development/ Women’s Economic Empowerment/ gender equality issues.
• Experience in analysis, research or communications around socio-economic trends.
• Experience in building and maintaining partnerships with Government, other development partners and the private sector. 
• Prior experience with UNDP/UN system or other development actor.

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

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