As the lead UN agency for international development, UNDP operates in 170 countries, focusing on eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. In Kazakhstan, UNDP collaborates with the government and various partners to implement initiatives in sustainable development, democratic governance, peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

The cooperation between UNDP and Kazakhstan emphasizes climate and disaster resilience, as well as nature-based and low-carbon growth. This involves implementing clean and affordable energy solutions and environmentally friendly development strategies to fulfill the country’s environmental commitments, including those under the Paris Agreement.

UNDP in Kazakhstan partners with the government, non-government organizations, UN agencies, and development partners to expand the green economy. Through technical expertise and collaboration, the focus is on translating strategies into action, establishing monitoring frameworks for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and developing plans for green energy, land management, biodiversity, reforestation, disaster risk reduction, and waste management.

The organization’s priorities are outlined in the UNDP Country Programme Document, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, available on https://www.kz.undp.org/content/kazakhstan/en/home/about-us/legal-framework.html.

UNDP Kazakhstan’s work in Energy and Environment involves substantive policy advice, effective project portfolio management, diverse partnership building, and knowledge sharing for sustainable development solutions.

President Tokayev proposal for a Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan in 2026 under UN auspices responds to the urgent climate challenges in Central Asia. The summit aims to address issues like rising temperatures, water scarcity, and glacier decline. It also envisions Kazakhstan as a renewable energy hub, emphasizing the need for resources and partnerships for a swift transition to green economies.

In support of the government’s initiative, UNDP will assist in Summit preparation by hiring a local expert for preliminary secretariat functions, conceptual work, and consultations with partners and organizations. The proposed summit serves as a strategic initiative to foster international collaboration and address the significant climate challenges facing Central Asia.
Duties and Responsibilities

Ensuring effective administrative and logistical support:

• Provide operational support to the programme management.
• Prepare vendor forms and create Vendor List.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and hotel reservations, preparation of travel authorizations, travel claims processing requests for special category visas.
• Provide administrative support to conferences, workshops.
• Participate and support when needed all Internal and external meetings.
• Maintain the e-filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials.

Building cooperation and close liaison with key stakeholders:

• Maintain close liaison with key stakeholders, including President’s Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministries of Environment in Central Asian countries, embassies, international organizations, and other relevant parties at the national and regional levels involved in Summit preparation.
• Stay informed about programmatic developments and advise on   required support.
• Provide comprehensive support to the Environment and Energy unit in Summit preparation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and Government of Kazakhstan.
• Provide analytical support and knowledge products in the area of climate change.
• Offer expertise in the day-to-day implementation of Secretariat’s activities.
• Support the Head of Unit in preparation of project related documents.
• Ensure timely preparation and update work plans, progress reports, narrative reports and other related documents upon request.
• Ensure timely, smooth and efficient implementation for effective delivery of activities and expected outputs.
• Reinforce partnerships with state bodies, international organizations, embassies, NGOs and other potential local and international partners.

Ensuring project and financial management:

• Support to organization of procurement processes including preparation of TORs, RFQs, bids or proposals.
• Support developing and managing Responsible Partner Agreements, ensuring proper delivery of technical services and submission of narrative and financial reports.
• Prepare requests for direct payment, cash advances, reports on expenses, budget revision and other required supporting documentation for all financial transactions.
• Support drafting annual work plan.
• Comply with security and safety requirements and regulations.
• Support preparing and updating work plans and budgets.
• Monitor the project compliance with financial requirements, such as reporting deadlines, formats, purchasing procedures, audits, transmission of documentary evidence, spending eligibility periods, etc.
• Undertake cost estimates for different activities according to the needs of projects.
• Assist in preparing procurement plans and overseeing procurement and logistics for project implementation.
• Monitors project budget in terms of expenditures according to the work plan.
• Prepare bank documents, e.g., T/T. and assist in banking runs for events.
• Provide assistance in the provision of information for audit management.
• Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken and coordination of collection and submission of the reports to supervisor.
• ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Supporting advocacy and communication:

• Ensure regular communication and coordination with national partners.
• Develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insights.
• Ensure effective information flow, correspondence and coordination across the office, UNDP Cos and governments of Central Asian countries and other parties involved in Summit preparation.
• Ensure careful selection of communication tools and tailoring the messages taking into account overall socio-political and development context.

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

Institutional Arrangement

Project Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Energy and Environment Unit. The incumbent will ensure to provide quality advice to the Head of Energy and Environment Unit and comply with appropriate UNDP policies and procedures.

• 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.