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Project Associate

Between February and October 2011, Libya was embroiled in a bloody and protracted liberation struggle between the autocratic regime, and revolutionary forces determined to put an end to the dictator’s 42 year rule. After this followed a decade of political crisis and violent conflict that had a devastating impact on Libya’s development trajectory and its population. Yet many of Libya’s current structural development challenges date back to the pre-revolution era including limited economic diversification, overreliance on oil revenues, foreign labour and public sector employment. Public institutions including rule of law and justice related institutions are lacking infrastructure, equipment and human resource capacities. Limited inclusiveness in decision making at all levels, corruption, injustice, political division, gender inequality, and insecurity collectively undermine the ability of the Libyan population, and the estimated 900.000 migrants and refugees the country hosts, to live in safety and security and to have access to effective justice.  Because of the lack of a centralized government in a large part of the country and the (at best) shaky social contract between state and citizens overall, other actors, militias in particular, have stepped in to fill the gaps creating a hybrid, system of law, security, justice and accountability. In 2011, the Security Council mandated a political mission to support Libya in the transition period (UNSMIL). UNDP has been closely collaborating with UNSMIL Human rights/transitional justice/rule of law and police components, other UN agencies as UNODC, government institutions and several other partners to support a strengthened rule of law and justice in Libya. The joint project on policing and security between UNSMIL and UNDP from 2017-2022 finished in the summer of 2022 and was mainly focused on supporting institutions in Tripoli. A new four-year project will start in the fall of 2022 and start with a six-month inception phase. This project is part of UNDPs new country project that will start around the same time. Supporting the state, contributing to the establishment of an inclusive social contract between citizens and the state is part of the core mandate of UNDP, as is supporting those most in need. While previous projects focused on supporting the state predominantly, this project aims to find the balance between supporting governmental entities at a national level, communities and local governance at a local level, and civil society throughout the country. The overall objective of the new project is to contribute to building the foundation of an inclusive social contract, this will happen both inside and outside Tripoli and focus and use the ‘whole of Libya approach’. The project seeks to develop the capacities of key institutions to deliver equitable and efficient services to the Libyan people, especially at a municipal level. Simultaneously, it aims to empower civil society and the Libyan people to access justice, resolve disputes and build peace. In this regard, this project document represents the basis for UNDP’s work on justice, rule of law and justice and cooperate closely with UNSMIL and other UN agencies.

This position will support and lead all admin, finance and part of the M&E activities of the project.

This assignment will support the first phase of this project: the inception phase in which partnerships are solidified, data is collected, strategies are set out, programme sites are identified, and programme activities are carefully planned and the first six months of implementation.

Project Associate will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the Project Manager and in coordination with Project Officer and Project Management Specialist of Governance and Rule of Law pillar.

The successful candidate will have the following specific responsibilities:

• Bear responsibilities for logistics, procurement, finance and recruitment for the project, in accordance with corporate UNDP policies and procedures as well as donor’s requirements.
• Prepare all financial and administrative documents related to the project implementation;
• Develop quarterly and annual budget plans for recruitment of personnel; maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments and other data for day-to-day transaction and reports;
• Advise and assist Project staff, experts and consultants on all respects of allowances, salary advances, travel claims and other financial and administrative matters, and calculate and authorize payments due for claims and services;
• Provide organizational and administrative support in implementation of project activities including organization of roundtables, workshops, trainings, working meetings and other events;
• Ensure compliance of all UNDP policies on financial matters including settlement of quarterly advances through FACE forms etc.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates and participate in budget analysis and projections as required to handle all financial operations of the project office, make cash payments and reconcile all accounts in required time frame;
• Maintain, update and transmit inventory records of non-expendable equipment in accordance with UNDP rules;
• Perform cash custodian’s duties being primarily responsible for project’s cash disbursements and maintain project’s petty cash book and payrolls related to the regional offices;
• Ensure leave monitoring of project staff, check the accuracy and proper completion of monthly leave reports;
• Analyze the potential problems concerning administrative-financial issues and take respective measures to provide adequate project’s resources on time for implementation of the project activities;
• Encourage awareness of and promotion of gender equality among project staff and partners;
• Ensure full compliance of administrative and financial processes and financial records with UNDP policies and procedures;
• Define the cost-effective measures for optimal use of resources of the project;
• Perform other duties related to personnel, administrative and financial issues of project as required

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Administrative and Finance Associate , under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Manager and in close coordination with the Project Officer is expected to provide efficient and effective support to the goals and objectives of the Rule of Law and Justice Project.

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:

High school certificate is required OR Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, public administration, business administration, finance, accounting or relevant field is strongly desirable

•    Minimum Seven (7) years of relevant work experience in administration, finance or programme support service with secondary education.
•    Minimum Four (4) years of relevant work experience in administration, finance or programme support service with Bachelor’s degree.
•    Past work experience with a UN agency and/or international organization in Libya is considered an asset;
•    Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office package such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Zoom and Skype is required;
•    Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
•    Experience working with the UN is an asset;
•    Good communication skills;
•    Knowledge of UNDP procedures is an asset.

•    Experience in the usage of computers
•    Expert knowledge of MS Excel.

Desired skills and competencies:

•    Work experience in an international organization or government institution would be an asset;
•    Demonstrated experience working as an Admin Associate or related in UNDP-managed projects or similar development projects.
•    Demonstrated experience in working with and maintaining good relations with government counterparts and programme beneficiaries (e.g. Government, development partners, CSOs and private sector representatives)
•    Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
•    Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Language(s): Fluency in English and Arabic is required