Project Associate

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality and exclusion. The program helps countries to developing policies, leadership skills, partnership skills, institutional capacities, and to building resilience to sustainable development results.

UNDP implements several projects in different areas, offering its partners technical, operational and management assistance through access to methodologies, specialized knowledge, specialized advice and a wide international network of technical cooperation.

To contribute to human development, poverty reduction and the country’s growth in priority areas, UNDP Brazil has a constant mission to align its services with the needs of a dynamic, multifaceted and diverse country. The projects are carried out in partnership with the Brazilian government, international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society.

Context

• The Floresta+ Amazônia Project supports those who protect and restore the forest and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With a focus on the strategy of Payments for Environmental Services, by 2026 the initiative will recognize the work of small producers, owners or possessors of rural properties with up to four fiscal modules, will support projects by indigenous peoples and traditional communities and innovation actions with a focus on sustainable development in the Legal Amazon. The National Strategy for REDD+ will also be strengthened within the scope of the project.
• Implemented with resources from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Floresta+ Amazônia Project is the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Based on information from the Rural Environmental Registration System (SICAR), in alignment with the National REDD+ Strategy, the NDC, the Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Amazon (PPCDAm), PNGATI and the strategic investment areas of the Brazil Country Programme for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the project provides incentives for small rural producers, indigenous peoples and traditional peoples and communities.

The Floresta+ Amazônia Project will work through four resource distribution modalities:

• Forest+ Conservation;
• Forest+ Recovery
• Forest+ Communities
• Forest+ Innovation

The technical coordination of the Floresta+ Amazônia Project is carried out by the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), which is made up of staff from the Department of Deforestation and Burning Control Policies, allocated to the Extraordinary Secretariat for Deforestation Control and Territorial Environmental Planning of the MMA. The PCU is responsible for the strategic guidance and technical coordination of the project, ensuring that progress, execution and results are agreed in a timely, coherent manner and contributing to the achievement of the project’s strategic objectives. In addition to the Department of Deforestation and Burning Control Policies (DPCQ), the Department of Territorial Environmental Planning (DOT) of the Extraordinary Secretariat for Deforestation Control and Territorial Environmental Planning also contributes to the monitoring and technical guidance for the Floresta+ Amazônia Project.

• The UN Volunteer will contribute vital skills to the operationalization and improvement of critical activities in the conduct of environmental public policies at the federal level. With their expertise, the Project Associate will play a fundamental role supporting the application of planning and process management tools.
• The activities and responsibilities outlined in this Description of Assignment, to be performed by the volunteer, are strictly technical and intended to offer support to the Technical Coordination Unit of the Floresta+ Amazônia Project (PCU/MMA) on its various fronts. These functions are complementary and do not conflict with or replace the duties of employees of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA). Additionally, the UN Volunteer will not represent the MMA in any official capacity.

Task description

Under the supervision of the Project Technical Coordination Unit (PCU), or its designated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will be responsible for the following activities:

Project Management Support:

• Planning and Implementation: Assist in the preparation and implementation of work plans, schedules, and budgets for different fronts of the Floresta+ Amazônia Project.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Participate in monitoring the progress of project activities, collecting and analyzing data to report results to the Technical Coordination Unit and other interested parties.
• Documentation and Reports: Prepare progress reports ensuring that all activities comply with the guidelines and goals established by the project.
• Communication with Stakeholders: Maintain continuous communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Executive Secretariat:

• Scheduling and Coordination: Manage the project agenda, organizing meetings, events, and conferences, and ensuring the participation of interested parties.
• Preparation of Minutes: Prepare minutes of meetings and draft documents, ensuring clarity and precision in internal and external communications.
• Document Organization: Maintain an organized and efficient filing system for physical and digital documents, ensuring the accessibility and integrity of information.
• Administrative Assistance: Provide administrative support to the Technical Coordination Unit and managers, including arranging travel, managing correspondence and other tasks as needed.

Furthermore, United Nations Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteer Program into their duties and promote voluntary actions through the engagement of communities in the course of their work. As such, United Nations Volunteers should dedicate part of their working time to doing some of the suggested activities:

• Expand their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteering by reading relevant UNV or external publications and actively participating in UNV activities (for example, in events marking International Volunteer Day);
• Know and strengthen traditional and/or local forms of volunteering in the host country.
• Prepare annual and end-of-work reports on results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/essays about field experiences and submit them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist the UNV Buddy Program for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in engaging in online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use UNV’s online volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Requirements

Required experience

• 3 years of experience in project management. Previous experience in secretarial or executive assistance roles will be valued.

Desirable requirements:

• Additional Experience: Previous experience in developing and implementing projects in partnership with public bodies, NGOs or international institutions, demonstrating communication and coordination skills between different stakeholders.
• Interpersonal Skills: Previous experience in teamwork and interdepartmental collaboration, effective communication to coordinate with different stakeholders, including government agencies and municipalities, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in project management software tools (such as Microsoft Project or Trello) and office tools (such as Microsoft Office). Ability to organize documents and filing systems efficiently.
• Certifications: Certifications in project management, such as PMP, Prince2 or similar, are desirable.
• Familiarity with MMA Procedures: Familiarity with the Electronic Information System (SEI) and procedures related to MMA.

Languages

• Portuguese, Level: Fluent, Required

Source: https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1770598225895680