Project Assistant, Gender Mainstreaming (Open to internal and external applicants)

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading development organization in Montenegro. UNDP has been part of the country’s success in many fields, including inclusive growth, environment, crisis management, governance, gender equality and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our United Nations identity ensures neutrality and respect of the country’s choices for the future. UNDP is committed to development as an advocate and enabler of change. Transparency and accountability in operation makes us a trusted partner for national and international development stakeholders. And the wide, international presence keeps UNDP close to development issues, resources and thinking in the countries we operate.

The United Nations Development Programme in Montenegro is contributing to the country’s development through the following programmatic priorities outlined in the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2023-2027: 1) Inclusive and Green Growth and Stewardship of Natural Resources, 2) Human Development and Social Inclusion and 3) Trusted, accountable, people-centered and gender-responsive institutions.

Furthermore, the UNDP commitment to gender equality is integral to all efforts to expand people’s choices, realize a just and sustainable world, and achieve the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP will work through its six ‘signature solutions’, on poverty and inequality; governance; resilience; environment; energy; and gender equality.

UNDP Montenegro’s gender equality portfolio cuts across all programme pillars and combines a strong national policy and programming function with implementation of regional initiatives. The portfolio covers gender-based violence, social protection, governance and public administration, rule of law, women’s political participation and women’s economic empowerment. The regional women’s economic empowerment programme provides an additional platform for bringing regional evidence, approaches, partnerships and learning into the Montenegro country programme, while ensuring that national experience and results inform regional implementation and knowledge exchange.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Project Analyst for Economic Empowerment of Women and overall guidance of the Gender Equality Analyst, the incumbent will support the women’s economic empowerment component of the regional EU4Gender Equality Programme for the Western Balkans and national gender equality  initiatives and programming by carrying out the following main tasks:

• Provide support to implementation of day-to-day activities under the regional EU4Gender Equality Programme and national gender equality programming
• Provide relevant administrative and logistical assistance in implementation of activities under the regional EU4Gender Equality Programme and national gender equality programming
• Perform regular financial tasks necessary for the successful and timely implementation of activities under the regional EU4Gender Equality Programme and national gender equality programming

I Provide support to implementation of day-to-day activities under the regional EU4Gender Equality Programme and national gender equality programming

• Draft routine correspondence and reports from oral instructions, previous correspondence or other available information sources, in accordance with the standard office procedures, and ensure appropriate follow-up; write minutes from the meetings; provide translation/interpretation services into English and vice versa, when needed
• Ensure all documentation (progress reports, consulting and other technical reports, minutes of meetings, etc.) are properly maintained in hard and electronic copies in an efficient and readily accessible filing system, for when required
• Assist the CO M&E officer in matters related to M&E and knowledge resources management and in the preparation of progress reports to donors, governance structures, corporate reports and CO management by continuously keeping track of implemented activities.

II Provide relevant administrative and logistical assistance in implementation of activities under the regional EU4Gender Equality Programme and national gender equality programming

• Provide logistical support and ensure provision of adequate secretarial and interpretation facilities (organization of events, meetings and study tours, travel arrangements, arrangement of shipments, conference facilities arrangements, visits of experts, timely processed daily subsistence allowances, etc.)
• Maintain day-to-day communication with the Operations Unit regarding administration matters: procurement, human resources, travel and finance matters;
• Provide administrative support regarding recruitment of experts and procurement of goods and services;
• Provide support to procurement processes such as: enter procurement plans in Quantum, provide support in preparation of tender documents and in organization of the tendering and contracting procedure, support to receipts of quotations, bids or proposals, and their preliminary evaluation
• Provide support to monitoring of consultants’ works and related payments
• Provide support to identification of needs for equipment, and procurement and installation of necessary equipment.

III Perform regular financial duties necessary for the successful and timely  implementation of  activities under the regional EU4Gender Equality Programme and national gender equality programming

• Ensure daily transactions are processed in the Quantum system (suppliers, invoices, requisitions, etc.)
• Keep track of all transactions in a budget notebook
• Perform regular budget revisions
• Provide regular delivery estimation and monthly expense estimation to the Finance Unit
• Provide regular reporting regarding expenditures
• Prepare periodic asset/inventory reports
• Ensure completeness of documentation, check accuracy of calculation for all relevant financial transactions, and prepare/process financial transactions in the system in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures
• Assist in the preparation of substantive progress and financial plans and reports.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Analyst for Economic Empowerment of Women and under the overall supervision of the Gender Equality Analyst. The incumbent will be based in the UNDP Montenegro office in Podgorica.

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 & Technical competencies 

Business Management: Digital Awareness and Literacy - Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.
Business Management: Customer Satisfaction/Client Management - Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management: Communication - Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
Finance: Accounting General - Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
Administration and Operations: Event Management - Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Procurement: Procurement Management - The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source
2030 Agenda People: Gender - Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Secondary education is required. OR 
• A University Degree (Bachelor´s degree) in  Social Sciences, Economics, Management or related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years (with Secondary education) or 2 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of progressively responsible administrative, financial administration experience is required.

Required Skills

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Previous project administration and finance experience
• Previous relevant experience in working with international organizations
• Previous experience in handling of web-based management systems
• Previous experience in logistics and organization of events
• Previous experience in project monitoring and evaluation, and preparation of progress reports. 

Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. UNDP is committed to creating an inclusive workplace, and to taking appropriate measures to enable persons with disabilities to have access to UNDP job opportunities and benefit from participating in UNDP selection, hiring and employment processes. UNDP is committed to providing reasonable accommodation during recruitment, hiring and employment.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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