Project Associate – Urban and Disaster Resilience

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. In Bhutan, over last 50 years, UNDP has been supporting the Royal Government to attain its national priorities. In 2024, UNDP started implementation of the Country Programme Document 2024-2028, aligning to the country’s 13th Five Year Plan (13th FYP). UNDP is currently implementing a project titled “ DRIP - Enhancing risk informed planning, data driven decision making and early warning system for disaster resilient urban infrastructure in major cites of Bhutan (Thimphu and Phuenstholing Thromde - Municipality)”. The project aims to enhance urban resilience by improving design and planning of resilient infrastructure, improved flood management, and disaster preparedness capacity in Bhutan’s urban centers.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, working in over 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, strengthen resilience, and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Bhutan, UNDP has partnered with the Royal Government for more than five decades to support sustainable and inclusive development aligned with national priorities. The National UN Volunteer Project Associate will primarily support the implementation of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)-supported project, "DRIP - Enhancing Risk-Informed Planning, Data-Driven Decision Making and Early Warning Systems for Disaster Resilient Urban Infrastructure in Bhutan." The project aims to strengthen disaster resilience of urban infrastructure through improved risk-informed planning, climate-resilient infrastructure design, flood management, early warning systems, and institutional capacity development in Thimphu and Phuentsholing. In addition, the Project Associate will provide operational and programme support to the Enhancing Climate Resilience of Urban Landscapes and Communities (ECRUL) project, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-financed initiative implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan. The ECRUL project supports integrated urban resilience through climate-resilient planning, nature-based solutions, resilient infrastructure investments, ecosystem restoration, and institutional strengthening in the Thimphu-Paro region. Both projects involve close collaboration with multiple government agencies, local governments, development partners, consultants, engineering firms, and community stakeholders. The Project Associate will therefore provide programme, operational, administrative, financial, procurement, monitoring, and knowledge management support across both projects, with primary responsibility for the CDRI project while contributing to the successful implementation of the ECRUL project as required. Beyond these, the NUNV is expected to support climate and disaster resilience related initiatives and other tasks assigned to him/her.

Under the direct supervision of the National Project Manager and overall guidance of the Portfolio Manager, the National UN Volunteer Project Associate will provide programme, operational, administrative, financial, procurement, monitoring, and knowledge management support for the implementation of the CDRI project and contribute to the effective implementation of the ECRUL project. The Project Associate will coordinate closely with government counterparts, consultants, contractors, development partners, and UNDP programme and operations teams to ensure timely delivery of project outputs, effective implementation of activities, and compliance with UNDP rules, regulations, and donor requirements. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall guidance of Project Manager, the Project Associate will work with the Environment and Livelihoods Unit and support the following tasks. Support to Programme implementation •Facilitate day-to-day activities, including managing and monitoring on ground partner/s to ensure the achievement of targets as per the UNDP and CDRI guideline, work plan and templates. •Support consultants/firms in conducting field visits, data collection, consultations and meetings. •Contract management of the consultants/forms for receiving deliverables and timely payments. •Assist in effective risk management for the project with a well-documented risk mitigation plan and escalate them to the management for timely intervention. •Organize meeting, workshops, conferences, trainings and document the same for the effective monitoring of the project. •Coordinate travel schedule and visa clearances from government agencies for the field mission by the consultant and staff. •Support to programme/project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results, outputs, objectives and work-plans. •Support implementation of selected activities under the ECRUL project, including coordination of consultants, organization of workshops and field missions, monitoring of project activities, reporting, and stakeholder engagement, as assigned by the Project Manager. Stakeholders Engagement •Liaise and develop good partnerships with all relevant stakeholders including government, private sector and other partners (relevant local institutions, academia and CSOs. To ensure smooth implementation of project activities. •Coordinate dissemination of high-quality knowledge and visibility of the project activities among the relevant stakeholders. •Provide regular communication on relevant project issues with the stakeholders with a focus on sustainability and exit strategy towards the end of the project. •Contribute to monitoring, documentation, and reporting of both the CDRI and ECRUL projects, ensuring timely submission of progress reports, monitoring data, and supporting documentation. Financial Management •Preparation of project financial report and validate supporting documentation of projects’ interim and final financial reports. •Maintain financial data on of the project and update progress •Establish and maintain a financial folder for project financial transactions. •Provide other financial support as required. Administrative Functions •Establish a proper filing system, maintain country office administrative, financial, and management files and update them with original documentation or copy of the original documentation as necessary. •Maintain personnel files, performance evaluation reports, leave records, and other pertinent personnel/consultant records. •Draft routine correspondence and communications and establish filing system to record communications with stakeholders and ensure flow of information and dissemination of materials with all concerned. •Maintain and update inventory of all physical assets and register all inventory in the asset inventory sheet. Knowledge Management and Communication •Actively support the project in the efforts on knowledge management, knowledge networking and visibility of project. •In accordance with country office communication guidelines, support project managers in the development of project communication materials. •Facilitate organization of project advocacy events, workshops, stakeholders’ dialogues and roundtables. •Support the drafting articles and publications and participate in events to disseminate information. •Support coordination with implementing partners and government agencies involved in both the CDRI and ECRUL projects to promote synergies, knowledge sharing, and integrated implementation of urban resilience initiatives. •Support the development of knowledge products, communication materials, and visibility initiatives highlighting achievements and lessons learned from both the CDRI and ECRUL projects. As an active member of UNDP Environment and Livelihoods Portfolio, provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP Bhutan Country Office and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including Area(s) of specialization: •Project financial management •Planning, monitoring and reporting •Communication and advocacy •Monitoring and evaluation •Partnership and coordination •Environment and climate change