Project Assistant

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Project Assistant
Location: Almaty
Country: Kazakhstan
Deadline Date: 16-FEB-2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which was established in 194

• UNESCO's mission is to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of more than 2,000 employees. UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture, communication, and information.

Job Overview:
The Project Assistant will work under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Almaty Regional Office and will be directly supervised by the GEF Project Manager. The role involves providing comprehensive programmatic assistance for the implementation of the GEF-UNDP-UNESCO Project, which focuses on enhancing the resilience of Central Asian countries through regional cooperation in assessing glacio-nival systems. The Project Assistant will be responsible for coordinating project stakeholders, organizing meetings and workshops, and ensuring effective communication among all parties involved. The position requires a proactive approach to project management, including drafting documentation, reporting on program delivery, and representing the project in various internal and external meetings. The incumbent will also be tasked with financial and administrative management, ensuring smooth communication with stakeholders, and undertaking any additional tasks necessary for the project's success.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Assistant will perform several key functions, including:

• Providing input to project implementation, ensuring effective management and administration of the project. This includes coordinating stakeholder participation in regional events and organizing meetings and workshops.
• Documenting and reporting on project activities, compiling and reviewing information for project-related documents, work plans, and budgets.
• Drafting project content-related documentation and providing inputs for publications, presentations, and outreach materials.
• Representing the project in relevant meetings and events, and undertaking travel as necessary.
• Providing translation and interpretation of working documents as needed.
• Ensuring smooth coordination of project activities with country coordinators.
• Contributing to financial and administrative management by preparing necessary documentation and maintaining communication with project stakeholders at various levels.
• Undertaking any other tasks necessary for the successful implementation of the project, consistent with the incumbent's professional qualifications.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completed higher education degree in natural sciences, water resources, public administration, management, international studies, or related fields. Additionally, candidates should have at least six years of relevant work experience in program/project support or administrative services at the national or international level. Alternatively, candidates with a Master's degree in the aforementioned fields may qualify with at least four years of relevant experience. Experience with web-based management systems is also required. Candidates should demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, organizational abilities, and proficiency in ICT, particularly MS Office applications.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a completed higher education degree in fields such as natural sciences, water resources, public administration, management, international studies, or regional development. A Master's degree in these areas is preferred, especially for candidates with fewer years of experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six years of relevant work experience in program/project support or administrative services. Candidates with a Master's degree may qualify with four years of experience. Experience in handling web-based management systems is essential, and familiarity with international organizations or projects is considered an asset.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of English and Russian, both written and spoken. Knowledge of the Kazakh language is considered a desirable qualification but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a non-staff contract with a standard duration of one year, including a three-month probation period and the possibility of extension. The salary for this position is a base monthly gross of USD 1,625.38, which is subject to local UN salary scales. Additional benefits include medical and pension coverage, with contributions made by UNESCO upon proof of enrollment in appropriate schemes. The position is open to both internal and external candidates, but only those entitled to work in Kazakhstan may apply. Annual leave is granted at a rate of 2.5 working days for each completed month of service, and UNESCO is a non-smoking organization.