Background

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. It thereby helps them sustain progress and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. 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.

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

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. The incumbent will be expected to work in close coordination with project teams, promoting a client-oriented approach, and compliance to UNDP rules and regulations.

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

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction & Strategy	Effective Decision Making	Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management	Communication	Ability to 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
Administration & Operations	Events Management (including retreats, trainings, and meetings)	Support offices with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Human Resources- People strategy and planning	Job design	Ability to design job roles to meet specific organizational objectives.
Procurement	Financial Analysis	Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance related transactions to determine their performance and suitability.

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 in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Experience in UN/UNDP or International organizations or Development organizations is desired. Experience in organizing events (including retreats, trainings, meetings, etc.) is an asset. Experience in financial reporting for donors is desired. Experience in procurement of equipment/supplies/services is an asset.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local personnel.
Professional Certificates	N/A

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.

Project Associate, NPSA-7, DS - Dnipro/Mykolaiv/Poltava/Kharkiv, National Position