Project Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

The UNDP Country Office in North Macedonia was established in 1998, and currently has 70 employees.
UNDP’s Strategic Plan has been designed to be responsive to the wide diversity of the countries we serve. The diversity is reflected in three broad development contexts: eradicating poverty; structural transformations; and building resilience. Signature Solutions are integrated responses to development against which we align our resources and expertise, to make real impact. As we implement our new plan for a new era, see how we’ve been building on our strengths and presence on the ground in close to 170 countries and territories during more than five decades of action.
UNDP’s programme vision in North Macedonia is that of system transformation leading to accelerated, more inclusive and green economic growth. This will enable North Macedonia to prosper as a cohesive, inclusive society and converge more rapidly with the EU in terms of incomes and quality of life, especially for vulnerable groups. The North Macedonia Country Office (CO) leverages its technical expertise, strong operational presence, wide network of partnerships and trusted relationship with government to advance the achievement of the outcomes set out under the United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Framework. In an integrator role, the CO applies its thought leadership, platform approach, and programmatic focus on innovation and resilience towards the UNSDCF priorities and outcomes where UNDP has a comparative advantage: a) strengthening the effectiveness and accountability of institutions particularly at municipal levels, b) job creation, c) green and inclusive economic development, and d) facilitating citizen engagement in decision making and climate action.

Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the development arm of the United Nations system, with offices in 180 countries. Globally, the organization employs 17,000 people and manages a budget of USD 5 billion each year. The UNDP office in Skopje employs a team of around 70 and currently manages a portfolio of projects in environmental protection, good governance and inclusive prosperity worth around USD 13 million per year.
This UNV assignment is part of UNDP project “Creating job opportunities for all” implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP) and the Employment Service Agency (ESA). It aims at supporting the effective implementation of the National Operation Plan (OP) on Active Employment Programmes and Measures, and Labour Market Services.
The Project offers programming solutions to support SMEs creation, help companies to remain active but also help vulnerable groups, including Roma, persons with disabilities, youth and long-term unemployed, to find their place in the open labour market. Through inclusive entrepreneurship approach, it provides support to all target groups including those that are in some way disadvantaged in creation of sustainable start-up businesses in the market. In addition, the Project tackles economic reintegration of long-term unemployed and offers possibilities to the local authorities for co-designing community based social services, needed for broader inclusion of vulnerable people in the society.
This assignment is also part of the project that UNDP is implementing with EU support – Strengthen national and local systems to support the effective socio-economic integration of returnees in the Western Balkans that initially was developed to respond to the challenges of implementation of the strategies for migration and reintegration of returnees especially at local level. The project is part of the IPA II Multi-Country Action Programme of the EU support to fundamental rights of Roma community, and reintegration of returnees, which has been entrusted to the WB, UNDP and the CoE. The Project aims to enhance the ability of Western Balkan authorities at central and local level to implement comprehensive models for reintegration of returnees. The project addresses the broader social inclusion agenda promoting the socio-economic well-being and tackling the root causes and negative drivers of migration of Roma and vulnerable populations.
Both Projects contribute to Intended Outcome as stated in the Country Programme Document 2021-2025 (CPD):
CPD Outcome 1. Inclusive Prosperity Outcome 1. By 2025, the living standard of all people in North Macedonia is improved through equal access to decent work and productive employment generated by inclusive and innovative business ecosystem.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of UNDP Project Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
1. Administrative Support:
• Assist in organizing meetings for project working groups, working bodies, and municipalities.
• Draft and prepare documents related to project activities.
• Attend meetings and summarize minutes.
• Conduct legal and internet research on demographic, social, and economic indicators for project beneficiaries.
• Manage data and store information according to project needs.
• Handle filing and archiving of relevant project documentation.
2. Operational Support:
• Assist the project team in successful implementation of the foreseen activities, with focus on provision of admin and operational support
• Support the project team in conducting regular review regarding the implementation of the project activities in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses; utilize the data collected to increase the project efficiency.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing within the project, including promoting gender equality.
Perform any other duties within the scope of work assigned by the Project Manager