Project Associate

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a UN agency that works in about 170 countries and territories, helping eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. In Ukraine, UNDP operates in three programme priorities, such as Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Recovery and Growth, and Sustainable Environment and Energy Transformation. Since the start of the hostilities in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022, UNDP in Ukraine has been present on the ground, through its hubs around the country, supporting regional and local authorities and civil society partners in their emergency response and crisis management. Lessons from the past years informed the development of UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2025-2029) and the scale-up of the Area-Based Recovery (ABR) Framework. The Framework’s programmatic pillars of Reconstruction, Returns, Resilience, and Reforms are focused on ensuring community recovery and creating conditions for the return to a development pathway in Ukraine. Addressing the country’s complex reconstruction and recovery requires a holistic, systems-based response that empowers all parts of society — including government, local authorities, the private sector, and citizens — with the capacity and resources to respond effectively. To ensure a whole-of-society approach, the framework offers an integrated, participatory, and inclusive methodology to advance recovery in communities most affected by the war. In this context, the Project Associate supports effective implementation of operational, administrative, procurement, and financial processes within ABR Projects. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement, and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. Duties and Responsibilities I. Provide project management assistance by supporting administrative, operational and logistical processes: - Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans; - Ensure compliance with procedures frameworks, including by learning and applying UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP), and relevant to project activity financial and administrative requirements; - Prepare relevant background materials for use in discussions, correspondence, and briefing sessions; - Draft meeting minutes, translate and interpret from Ukrainian into English and vice-versa; - Ensure efficient travel arrangements are made for the team as required, ensuring proper use of UNDP resources; - Assist in arranging appointments, organizing meetings, events, taking minutes of meetings and drafting correspondence for Project Team; - Keep lists of names, addresses and telephone numbers of applicable government and non-government partners; - Maintain policy, confidentiality and general management files. II. Support financial, procurement and human resources processes: - Learn processes and operations of the UNDP Quantum Platform; - Assist in projects financial resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services; - Support the elaboration of project work and procurement plans; - Support the timely preparation and submission of progress reports, donor reports, project reviews, financial reports, audit reports and any other required project reports; - In accordance with the Annual Work Plan, arrange for procurement of equipment, supplies and services and ensure timely follow up with procurement requests; - Assist in recruitment processes by reviewing job descriptions, job classifications, forming vacancy announcements, screening candidates, and facilitating interview panels; - Maintain leave records and travel plans of the Project staff. III. Facilitate knowledge building and management: - In accordance with the Project Document and in close coordination with the Responsible Parties, adhere to the Quarterly and Annual Targets according to UNDP timelines; - Support in organizing Project events; - Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in the project; - Provide high quality interpretation and translation in support of the project as needed. Institutional Arrangement The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Local Governance and Public Financing Specialist and overall guidance of the Head of Area-Based Recovery Programming. Required Skills and Experience - Min. Education requirements: Secondary Education is required OR Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Social Sciences, or a related discipline will be given due consideration but is not a requirement. - Min. years of relevant work experience: Minimum seven (7) years with Secondary Education or four (4) years with a Bachelor’s degree of experience working in administration or providing project management assistance is required. - Required skills: Highly competent in using computers and office software packages. - Desired skills: Experience in UN/UNDP or International organizations, organizing events, financial reporting for donors, and procurement of equipment/supplies/services. - Required Language(s): Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local personnel.