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

The UNDP Viet Nam Country Office is dedicated to fostering inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic development by driving private sector growth, enhancing sustainable finance, and strengthening adaptive livelihoods. In close partnership with the government and key stakeholders, our unit focuses on empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—particularly those led by women, youth, and disadvantaged groups—through digital innovation, technology adoption, and the integration of low-carbon, circular, and blue economy approaches. To support these sustainable sectors, we advance policy frameworks and innovative financial instruments that scale up climate-related and risk-informed investments. Furthermore, to ensure no one is left behind, the unit builds institutional capacities to design and implement shock-responsive social protection and livelihood resilience strategies, specifically targeting vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by climate risks and limited access to productive assets.

Under the supervision of the Head of IGU/Assistant Resident Representative, the Project Associate is responsible for supporting the Unit in administration, unit management and resource mobilization. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with Operations, Programmes, and the Unit’s project teams. The Project Associate will provide operational support in the preparation and implementation of the Unit’s projects and activities, including but not limited to:

1. Youth Engagement and Innovation Initiative

2. Vitalizing the Viet Nam National Innovation Center

3. Strengthening Social Protection and employment in response to green and demographic transitions in Viet Nam

4. Programme Development and policy advising on inclusive economic growth

5. Transforming systems, sharing growth: The Australia-Viet Nam Partnership

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides effective support for management of all projects, activities and initiatives, focusing on the following:

Support for Overall Project Management and Implementation:

• Tracking and controlling program/project expenditures/disbursement rate against commitments to ensure conformity with approved AWPs and Budget, determining gaps between budgets and expenditures, committed and actual allocated funds to advise POs for taking actions, supporting operational and financial closure of a project in Quantum
• Supporting effective Procurement and Recruitment and contract management process as appropriate
• Supporting POs in periodic review of project work-plans and advise POs/IPs on the progress and work-plan’s conformity to agreed results and outputs for finalization.
• Quarterly reviewing NIM Project Advance and Financial Reports (FACE) forms with the approved AWP/QWPs and corresponding Activities and Expenditure accounts.
• Supporting the organization of overseas study tours and monitoring visits, including DSA entitlement calculation and transportation.
• Taking timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers.
• Supporting timely operational and financial closure of a project, determination of unutilized funds and processing operational/financial closure of projects in Quantum;
• Supporting the direct implementation of CO projects, including recruitment of international and national consultants, organizing technical workshops, training activities, consultations, travel arrangements and procurement of goods and services.

Provision of guidance on policies and procedures to IPs:

• Updating POs and IPs on changes in financial policies, rules and procedures.
• Providing advice, guidance and on-the-spot coaching to NIM project personnel on applicable policies and procedures (HPPMG, HACT, Cost Norms)

Ensure Quality assurance (HACT, M&E):

• Supporting POs and IPs in day-to-day monitoring and implementation of project activities to ensure the progress and achievement of results and outputs as planned.
• Providing inputs to the auditing of NIM projects, supporting POs and IPs in follows-up on timely implementation of audit recommendations.
• Supporting assessments of technical and financial management capacity (micro assessment) of IPs;
• Supporting spot-checks on IPs, supporting the coordination of NIM audits and ensuring effective client liaison
• Supporting project mid-term reviews and final evaluation including recruitment of consultants, arrangement of work missions/interviews, collecting information and relevant documents, liaising with concerned parties.

2. Provides administrative support to the Programme focusing on achievement of the following:

• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum.
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
• Creation of requisitions in Quantum for development projects, register of goods receipt in Quantum.
• Making budget checks for requisitions, POs and vouchers.
• Support with timely monitoring and actions towards satisfactory scorecard performance for the office
• Coordinating calendar planning for Unit Heads and POs;
• Maintaining, physically verifying and certifying assets and inventory.
• Serve as the focal point for administrative, operational or substantive matters within the unit or for the office as a whole.

3. Supports resource mobilization and partnership building through:

• Supporting Analysis of information on potential funding partners and sources, preparation of donor profiles.
• Tracking and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contribution agreements, managing contributions in Quantum
• Assisting liaison and partnership activities with funding partners
• Contributing to the preparation of timely, high-quality reports to partners
• Providing administrative support to JPGs/UN coordination
• Supporting the implementation and monitoring of Cost Sharing agreements, including performing required CS-related work in Quantum as required and delegated

4. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO through:

• Supporting organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.
• Supporting documentation and dissemination of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.
• Sound contributing to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

Competencies

Core competencies
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 | Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organization’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
• Business Management | Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Audit & Investigation - General | Financial and Managerial Accounting and Finance key concepts: Key concepts and principles of financial accounting, interpret financial analysis, managerial accounting, etc.
• Audit & Investigation – Investigation | Procurement concepts, processes, and management: Knowledge of procurement processes and management.
• Finance | Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
• 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 | Entitlement travel: Knowledge of policy and procedures related to entitlement travel, including the identification of entitlement for lump sum for UNDP as well as other UN agencies.

Required Skills and Experience

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

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