Project Associate [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 committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

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. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UND

The United Nations Development Programme (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, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations. The United Nations Development Programme UNDP Indonesia Country Programme 2021-2025 developed in partnership with the Indonesian Government addresses the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals and support national efforts to advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The Financing for Development and Inclusive Growth (FfDIG) Programme Unit is a programme cluster focused on advancing sustainable finance and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth. The Sustainable Finance stream oversees initiatives related to sustainable and innovative financing, inclusive access to finance and financial systems,and climate and transition finance. The Inclusive Growth stream oversees initiatives related to livelihoods across thegreen, circular, and blue economy sectors, as well as productive sector development and the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Together, these two streams provide an integrated approach to addressing development challenges by linking financial innovation with real sector transformation. Building on this foundation,the Programme Unit is implementing several strategic initiatives through projects including Green and Digital Cities, ASSIST 2.0, and PRESERVE.

ASSIST 2.0 builds on the success of the Accelerating SDGs Investment in Indonesia Joint Programme (ASSIST JP) funded by the Joint SDG Fund. This second phase focuses on sustaining and institutionalizing innovative financing capacities to deliver on key priorities under the UN Cooperation Framework. It aims to further mobilize public and private financing for the SDGs by deepening the use of innovative instruments such as thematic bonds, Islamic finance, and sustainable banking practices. Through targeted technical assistance and capacity development for partners, ASSIST 2.0 strengthens the enabling ecosystem for sustainable finance, while ensuring that financing solutions are effectively linked to development outcomes.

Green and Digital Cities: Prototypes for Systemic Urban Transformation addresses the growing misalignment between economic systems and human well-being amid challenges such as inequality, climate change, and poverty. Aligned with the Strategic Plan 2026–2029, the initiative adopts a systems-driven approach to urban transformation by integrating economic, digital, and social innovation into cohesive urban portfolios. Building on UNDP’s portfolio experience, it moves beyond siloed, project-based approaches toward scalable, systemic change—combining community-driven experimentation with broader economic restructuring to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development. Central to this work is the development of urban economic transformation portfolios that combine hyper-local, community-driven experimentation with a mesoscale approach to reconfiguring economies, scouting for and supporting networks invested in shared prosperity, and aligning expertise and partnerships around a vision of prosperity measured in human and planetary terms rather than GDP alone.

PRESERVE aims to scale up the protection of Indonesia’s globally significant biodiversity by mobilizing and deploying blended conservation finance to support customary community-led management of new Preservation Areas (Areal Preservasi/OECMs). This objective will be advanced through an integrated set of strategies aligned primarily with GBFF Action Area Four, while contributing to Action Areas One and Two, including: (i) strengthening the operational and institutional framework for the management and financing of AP/OECMs; (ii) establishing and capitalizing a dedicated financing platform (funding window) within BPDLH; (iii) demonstrating scalable and sustainable finance models to enable community-led establishment and management of AP/OECMs; and (iv) embedding a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure adaptive management and continuous learning throughout implementation.

Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate how the Programme Unit promotes sustainable finance and inclusive growth—leveraging financial innovation, strengthening local economies, and promoting environmental sustainability to deliver integrated and scalable development impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

The direct supervisor of these activities is Technical Coordinator Thematic Bond & PFM. She/He will work closely with project team (ASSIST 2.0, Green and Digital Cities and PRESERVE), operations units, and programme staff in the office to provide support for procurement implementation and to ensure adequate exchange of information.

The Project Associate will support the 3 initiatives, with close coordination with the relevant department within UNDP, related government institutions and third parties. S/He will be responsible for the following tasks:

Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compiling and summarizing information and data for the formulation of project work plans. In consultation with project team, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and on other specific project related procurement.
• Provide comprehensive support in all aspects of procurement implementation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners. Review procurement documents for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures and identify inconsistencies for referral to supervisor. Ensure quality of delivery by consultants, beneficiaries, and contracted companies; and communicate findings to the supervisor.
• Ensure compliance of procurement business processes and Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in UNDP for activities under FfDIG. When necessary, provide guidance to project staff and vendors on business processes, administrative, and other requirements and procedures.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organization/coordination of project events, procurement-related activities, contract management, recruitment, and coordination of field visits and project-related missions.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organization/coordination of project events, procurement and admin-related activities, contract management, recruitment, and coordination of field visits and project-related missions.
• Establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with project team under FfDIG Unit, government institutions, tertiary institutions, partners, technology provider and other relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and updating procurement dashboard regarding progress of the relevant procurement activities for all three projects under FfDIG Unit and inform the progress to the project team, government partners, and otherstakeholders.
• Ensure regular communication and coordination with all project teams in FfDIG Unit, government partners, project counterparts, stakeholders, and beneficiaries; and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insight.
• Support implementation of the procurement monitoring system under FfDIG Unit related to ASSIST 2.0, Green and Digital Cities and Preserve and other key activities, especially and in alignment with its Monitoring and Evaluation framework to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback, and elaboration of high-quality progress reports.
• Collect, analyze and present information for monitoring and evaluation of procurement implementation against project targets as well as for audit purposes. Identify gaps in implementation and provide support in bridging those gaps in consultation with supervisor and partners.
• Assist in the organization of field and study visits, missions, workshops, roundtables, and conferences within the project.
• Assist in the implementation of effective risk management for the project under FfDIG Unit with a well-documented risk mitigation plan in place. Support monitoring of previously identified and emerging risks.
• Regularly monitor expenditures and commitments against the project logistics, budget and relevant plans, and provide information to support project implementation. When necessary, recommend corrective actions and draft various correspondence concerning operations, and logistics issues.
• Prepare and consolidate required procurement reports on a timely basis and in line with donor requirements.

Support the effective reporting on progress of project implementation

• Support the administration process for preparing work plans as well as meetings, audit, operational and financial administrative project;
• Prepare any project / finance reports, minutes of meeting, TOR and agenda, workshop and/or training agreement (for follow-up actions), and share it to the project team (or other parties as required) on a timely manner;
• To provide financial support for implementation of the FfDIG Unit based on results- oriented progress reports.

Support strategic partnerships, communication, and support to the implementation of resource mobilization

• Support in updating database of the relevant public and development partners private sector, civil society and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the FfDIG Unit;
• In coordination with UNDP's Communication unit and other relevant counterpart communications department, support documentation of the project activities as a tool to communicate results, deepen stakeholder knowledge and buy-in to the project, and resource mobilization for the project.

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharingfocusing on achievement of the following results:

• Regular capacity development and trainings to relevant staff of the country partners onfinance, procurement and/or any other administrativerules/regulations;
• Provide proper information to the related third parties on any financial/administrative rules in UNDP whenever required to support anymeetings/training/workshops;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices on Finance and any other operationsissues;
• Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff, and contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Ensure active participation in learning and knowledge sharing in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming.

The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that:

• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions.
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with "Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP";
• Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender is respected within all implementations including data production.
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created.

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

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Demonstrate focus on achieving quality results and impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Seek patterns and clarity outside, across and beyond boxes and categories, resist false certainty and simplistic binary choices
• Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1:Actively pursues opportunity for learning and self-development, professionally and personally
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Actively pursues opportunities for learning and self-
• development, professionally and personally
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Is flexible in handling change, and adopt new ideas, approaches and ways of working
• Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Establishes and develops new networks that deliver powerful collaborations
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 1: Understands and appreciates issues form perspective of others

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

2030 Agenda : People             

• Gender -Gender Equality Strategy

Ethics  

• UN policy knowledge – ethics-Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity

Audit & Investigation - Audit

• Fraud awareness and Investigation -Basic knowledge to understand the foundations of fraud, how to detect red flags and conduct initial fact findings

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.
• Working with Evidence and Data- Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, Economics, Social Studies or related fields 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 experience in administrative, finance or project management experience at the national or international level is required.

Required Skills:

• Experience using spread sheet/excel and database packages, Microsoft words, power point, outlook, etc.;
• Experience in handling administrative things of the project, in particular has good knowledge on any financial/operations, procurement rules/ regulations of both UN and Government Rules/Regulations.
• Experience in the project management, particularly in relation to any required administrative supporting documents for implementation of projects‘ activities; 
• Experience with any UN rules/policies on travel arrangement, meetings/trainings/workshops, etc.

Desired skills:

• Demonstrated experience with UNDP development projects in Indonesia 
• Experience in UN ERP platforms (Quantum) and experience in handling web-based management systems.
• Experience in supporting budget formulation, monitoring project expenditures, and tracking financial commitments.
• Experience in providing support for the organization of events, workshops, conferences, and coordination of field missions
• Experience in project risk management, monitoring and supporting project audit.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia is required

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

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.