Job Description
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
On 28 March 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing significant human and material losses across Mandalay and surrounding areas. The disaster further exacerbated existing humanitarian and development vulnerabilities, particularly in communities already affected by conflict, displacement, and poor access to essential services.
In response, UNDP has launched the Earthquake Response – Community Led Recovery and ReconstructioProject to support inclusive and resilient recovery through early restoration of livelihoods, infrastructure, and essential services, with an emphasis on community leadership and local economic revitalization.
A key part of project interventions involve Debris and Waste Management activities, whcih include:
- Debris removal for community restoration in townships, following the proper disposal procedures.
- Debris clean-up from uncontrolled disposal sites, following the environmental standards and proper disposal at designated sites.
- Demolition of damaged structures and material recovery per safety standards and recycling procedures.
- Establish debris and waste recycling centers and associated livelihoods activities through community mobilization, capacity building and provision of equipment.
- Management of Hazardous Waste/Asbestos
- Public awareness campaigns on debris and waste management, including on safety and hazardous waste
The Project Assistant will provide essential operational, administrative, and logistical support to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities and processes.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Project Associate in the Debris and Waste Management team in the Earthquake Response Project,, the Project Assistant will support the effective delivery of the Debris and Waste Management team by performing a range of administrative, operational, and coordination tasks. The Project Assistant will also work closely with the project team to support implementation, financial and logistical coordination, and the preparation of documentation and reports. The incumbent will ensure compliance with UNDP rules and procedures, and contribute to efficient service delivery across the project's operations.
Summary of Key Functions
- Provide administrative, operational and logistical support to the Debris Management Team
Support the implementation of debris removal, demolition and waste management activities by focusing on the following:
- Provide logistical and administrative support for workshops, technical trainings, coordination meetings, community consultations and field missions.
- Coordinate travel arrangements, vehicle requests, accommodation and mission logistics for project personnel, consultants and technical teams.
- Maintain the project filing system, correspondence, technical documents, permits, photos and activity records.
- Support preparation and updating of workplans, activity schedules and implementation trackers.
- Maintain inventory records of project assets, equipment and demolition tools assigned to the Debris Management Team.
- Support implementation of debris removal and safe demolition activities
Provide operational support to ensure timely implementation of field activities, including:
- Assist in coordinating debris removal, demolition and waste management activities implemented through contractors, CSOs and Cash-for-Work arrangements.
- Monitor implementation progress against workplans and agreed targets.
- Maintain activity tracking databases, beneficiary records, contractor progress and site information.
- Support preparation of site visit schedules and accompany technical teams during field monitoring missions when required.
- Assist in collecting field information, photographs, GPS coordinates and supporting documents for progress reporting.
- Support procurement, contractor and CSO engagement
Provide administrative support throughout procurement and partnership processes, including:
- Assisting in the preparation of procurement requests, specifications, Bills of Quantities (BOQs), Terms of Reference and supporting procurement documents.
- Coordinating procurement processes in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.
- Supporting preparation and management of contracts, purchase orders and amendments.
- Maintaining records of contractors, CSOs, suppliers and consultants.
- Tracking contract implementation, deliverables, payment milestones and completion certificates.
- Assisting technical teams in organizing contractor coordination meetings and site inspections.
- Provide financial and administrative support
Support financial management of debris management activities by:
- Preparing payment requests, vouchers and supporting financial documentation.
- Processing contractor, consultant and CSO payment documentation.
- Maintaining expenditure records and budget utilization trackers.
- Supporting reconciliation of expenditures against approved budgets.
- Ensuring complete supporting documentation for audits, spot checks and donor verification.
- Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing
- Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.
- Perform other relevant duties
- Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor and project management to ensure efficient implementation of the Earthquake Response Project.
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 Management Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
- Ability to respond in a timely manner and appropriately, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the actual needs of clients and beneficiaries.
- Provide inputs to the development of a client-oriented service strategy.
- Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
- Ability to anticipate clients’ upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management Operations Management
- Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.
- Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
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.
2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Effectiveness
- Programming (PPM) policies and procedures
Business Development
Knowledge Generation
- Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant to the 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.
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 Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political or Social Sciences or anotehr relevant field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement
Experience:
- Minimum 4 years (with secondary education) or 1 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of experience in progressively responsible administrative or project/program delivery support with humanitarian or development work.
Required skills
- Experience in Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications, integrated web-based management systems, spreadsheets and databases.
- Experience in administration and operational support to project implementation.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Experience managing relationships and contracts with NGO partners, private-sector service contractors, and providers
- Experience in monitoring contract, project, and agreement implementation, with knowledge of monitoring and evaluation concepts, systems, practices, and tools.
- Experience working with UNDP or other UN entities, with familiarity in using corporate tools.
- At least one years of experience in providing financial and administrative support, including payment processing, expenditure tracking, budget reconciliation, and maintaining complete financial documentation for audits and donor verification.
- Experience and knowledge of procurement procedures of national / international organizations.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in Myanmar and English is required
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.
