Project Associate

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s most populous country with 37 million people in 2024, possesses abundant natural resources, including natural gas, gold, copper, uranium, and coal, contributing to steady economic growth of 5.5–6% annually. Despite this, the country faces economic, social, and environmental challenges, particularly in reducing poverty and inequality. The poverty rate declined from 17% in 2021 to 11% in 2023 and is projected to reach 6% by 2025, with Uzbekistan implementing a multidimensional poverty index to ensure inclusive development. Climate change threatens agriculture, water resources, and labor productivity, potentially costing 1% of GDP by 2030 and reducing economic potential by 10% by 2050, with heightened risks for female-headed households, persons with disabilities, and rural communities. 

Since 2017, Uzbekistan has pursued ambitious reforms through its National Development Strategies (2017–2021 and 2022–2026) and the “Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy, aiming to double GDP, increase per capita income to $4,000, and achieve upper-middle-income status while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, achieving these goals requires stronger integration of SDGs into strategic planning, budgeting, and policy coordination, along with enhanced domestic resource mobilization and improved public expenditure efficiency to drive sustainable and inclusive development.

During 2020-2024 UNDP has provided technical assistance to the Government of Uzbekistan in promoting a more integrated approach to financing its national development priorities and the SDGs through establishment of an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), mainstreaming SDGs and Green considerations into the budgetary process through introduction of SDG and Green Budgeting methodologies and practices, advancing PFM reforms, particularly ensuring the accountability, and transparency of public funds and involving citizens into the budgetary process through participatory budgeting. Additionally, UNDP supported the Government in development and introduction of the new innovative financing instruments including the SDG and Green Bonds, Islamic Finance Instruments, etc.

Building on this UNDP with the support of the Slovak Government is starting a new initiative on “Public Finance for Development in Uzbekistan” aimed at establishing a clear, results-driven strategic planning and budgeting system in Uzbekistan, aligned with the SDGs and green development priorities. Specifically, the project aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of the Government to transition towards an SDG-oriented budgeting framework, using green budgeting mechanisms to achieve measurable improvements in economic, social, and environmental outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Project Analyst, the Project Associate provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. The Project Associate works in close collaboration with the Government Counterparts, project, operations, and UNDP Programme’s personnel in the Country Office to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery:

• Facilitating procurement processes in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Tracking and managing financial and administrative activities and expenses.
• Supporting communication, outreach, and event planning activities.
• Liaising with the UNDP Country Office to facilitate financial reporting and compliance.

The Project Associate will also provide project management support, including:

• Facilitating, guiding, and monitoring the work of the project’s contractors.
• Managing payment schedules.
• Assisting in project-related activities, such as planning meetings and trips.
• Ensuring all national and international travel is organized smoothly.
• Documenting and sharing records of meetings, decisions, and actions.
• Supporting the Monitoring and Evaluation of the project at the national level.
• Overseeing financial oversight, including management of the project budget, maintaining records of expenditures, and collaborating in financial reporting.

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

   4.  Institutional Arrangement

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with relevant project partners, Project Associate is responsible for providing administrative / finance support to the project according to UNDP corporate rules and procedures.

Project Associate will provide operational services ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. He/she works in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, project, operations, and Programme’s staff in the UNDP CO to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery and undertake day-to-day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the project component outputs. 

Competencies

Core 

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 Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Development: Integration within the UN

• Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.

  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.

 General (across the functions): Event planning and execution

• Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.

Administration & Operations: Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)

• Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

 Education:

• Secondary education is required, OR
• University degree (Bachelor`s degree) in any of the following areas: Finance, Economics, Business administration, Management, or a related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years’ (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in administration and finance areas.
• Working experience in international organizations is an advantage.

Required skills

• Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office)
• Strong financial and administrative skills, result and client-orientation, ability to work in a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty.
• Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Strong ability to support project planning, execution, and monitoring. Skilled in coordinating activities, maintaining work plans, and ensuring compliance with UNDP policies and procedures.
• Experienced in budget tracking, procurement processes, and financial reporting. Proficient in handling operational tasks, maintaining project documentation, and ensuring smooth workflow.
• Adept at liaising with government agencies, donors, and partners. Skilled in preparing reports, presentations, and project briefs to support decision-making and knowledge sharing.
• Strong financial and administrative, analytical, communication and management skills, result and client-orientation, ability to work in a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty.
• Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.
• Experience in handling web-based management systems.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to prioritize.
• Be attentive to details and accurately make mathematical calculations.
• Strong organizational, operational and communication skills, ability to work in a team.

Other: Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer

 Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 Note: 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.

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