United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Program: Contract Monitoring Associate

United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Program is recruiting Contract Monitoring Associates.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide.  Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteer ism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most culture volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

 

UNV Assignment Title: Contract Monitoring Associate
Type of Assignment: National UNV volunteer /XI
Project Title: Democratic Governance for Development Project
Duration: 6 months
Location, Country: Abuja, Nigeria
Expected Starting Date: 15 October, 2010
Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP

Organizational Context
Support to Democratic Governance for Development project aims to consolidate and advance democratic governance and accountability in Nigeria to achieve the country's stated development priorities and outcomes specified in the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) viz.: improvements in accountable governance in accordance with the rule of law and in response to public demand, in the key areas of: elections, justice, and anti corruption. An integral, cross-cutting aspect will be the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment for sustainable democracy and development.
 
Objectives
  These objectives will be pursued through six distinct and inter-related programming components:

1. Strengthening of the National Assembly
2. Strengthening of Political Parties
3. Improvement of the Electoral Process
4. Increased Capacity and Performance of Civil Society
5. Reinforcing the role of the media
6. Empowerment of Women

Under the guidance and overall supervision of the Project Director of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the Finance Specialist as the direct supervisor, the Contract Monitoring Associate is responsible for the monitoring of CSOs which are contracted by UNDP. These project activities represent the main component of the output number four above, i.e. increase the capacity and performance of civil society.
In close coordination with his/her direct supervisor, the incumbent is expected to directly involve in day to day monitoring including the field visits to the CSOs; hold discussions with key stakeholders for contracting issues and project implementation; and to prepare a report with recommendation regarding the progress of project implementation and/or recommendation to process payments.
 
Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family
 
Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of Finance Specialist, the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Ensures administration support to the DGD Contract Monitoring Team focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Liaise with the Service Centre at the UNDP Country Office (SC) in obtaining the copies of new signed contracts
• Liaise with the CSOs to ensure the vendor form is properly completed and submitted to UNDP
• Follow up with SC for vendor creation in ATLAS (UNDP accounting system)
• Maintain and update on a timely basis the contract tracking sheet and filing system of contracts both in hard-copies and electronic files (share-point)

 
Performs contract monitoring and reporting focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Monitor progress of planned activities and work plans, and progress on achievement of results (outputs' and outcome/objective) as a basis for payment.
• Ensure that payments are in line with approved expenditure and have adequate supporting documentations
• Review and evaluate financial information and status to ensure the appropriate and accountable use of fund to achieve contract outputs, using the contract and UNDP's monitoring and evaluation tools as main reference
• Conduct field visits as necessary for contract implementation to ensure compliance with UNDP and donor standards
• Prepare an assessment report for each contract/field visit/progress reports received from contractors
• Identify issues, challenges, and lessons learned to provide recommendations on corrective actions on contract implementation

 
Furthermore, UNV volunteers are encouraged to:
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
 
Results/Expected Output:

• Contract implementation is properly monitored in a transparent and accountable way, in line with UNDP policies and procedures.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Development, Public administration, Accounting or related field in social studies
• A minimum of two years if experience working with NGOs, UN agencies or donor organizations
• Strong skills in monitoring of contract implementation and financial review
• Good understanding of the roles of NGO and civil society organisations
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point)
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Living Conditions: Urban Environment

Conditions of Service
A 6-Month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to N 106,690; settling-in-grant (if applicable) Equivalent of one month VLA, i.e. N106,690 for a 12-month assignment if candidate is recruited from outside the duty station, or pro-rated if assignment is shorter than 12 months; life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
 
Deadline for submission of applications
 On or before 16th September, 2010

How To Apply
All applicants should complete the P11 form published on the UNV- Nigeria webpage http://www.ng.undp.org/unv/ and submit applications to the United Nations Volunteers Programme in Abuja at the following address.

United Nations Volunteers Programme
UN House
Plot 617/618, Diplomatic Zone
Central Area District
P. M. B. 2851, Garki
Abuja

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.