Project Associate – UNDP Abuja, Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country with an estimated population of 206 million and an annual population growth rate of 2.6%. By 2050, the country’s population is expected to have doubled, reaching more than 400 million and thereby becoming the third largest country in the world. More than half of its population will be under the age of 30 years.

At the same time, unemployment and under-employment are one of the key development challenges facing young people in Nigeria and undermining the prospects of the country to achieve its development aspirations and fulfil its potential as the continent’s largest economy. According to the National Bureau for Statistics’ report of 2018, over 13.9 million youth are unemployed. The highest unemployment rate was recorded for youths between 15 – 24 years standing at 40.8%, followed by those aged between 25 – 34 years at 30.7%. Investing in Nigeria’s youth is therefore becoming more urgent than ever.

The Jubilee Fellows Programme will expand opportunities for learning to work transitions for fresh graduates in Nigeria through placement opportunities, job market information, skills transfer and facilitated learning. It is designed as a partnership platform that brings together private and public sector actors – including learning institutions to co-create and deploy to scale a viable solution that enhances youth employability, entrepreneurship and retention of national talent.

To this end, UNDP Nigeria is seeking a Project Associate, to ensure effective administrative oversight and transparent utilization of project resources ensuring the integrity of financial services. The Project Associate contributes to the effective implementation of financial monitoring and evaluation policies, works with the operations finance team and ensures the financial integrity of the Jubilee Fellowship.

With proper and accurate project financing, the incumbent, supports the design, planning and management of the Jubilee Fellowship.  In doing so, s/he works in close collaboration with project staff, other staff of the Unit, operations team, Programme and projects staff in the CO and UNDP HQs staff for resolving complex programme and operations-related issues, ensuring successful CO performance in Finance.

Reporting:

The Project Associate will report to the Team Lead for the Jubilees Fellowship Programme and may be required to also follow up with the Operations unit of UNDP on issues that may arise regarding the smooth running of the programme.

Under the direct supervision of Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor, the Project Associate will be responsible for the following functions and tasks:

Summary of Key Functions:

• Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight
• Manage the project budget and ensure proper cash management functioning
• Ensure effective information management and reporting
• Ensure proper financial aid controls and risks management mechanisms

• Secondary Education with specialized qualifications or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

• Minimum 7 years (Secondary Education) or 4 years (Bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in providing programme support and financial resource management services;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft;
• Knowledge of UN/UNDP Financial Resource Management is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of UN principles, SDGs and international development in Africa is an asset.

Required skills and competencies; 

• Innovation
• Communication
• People Management
• Accounting (General)
• Financial Analysis

Required Language: Fluency in spoken and written English.