Project Coordination Associate
Organizational Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's leading development organization, dedicated to ending poverty, inequality, and climate change. In Sri Lanka, UNDP has partnered with the government since 1967, offering strategic support in areas like crisis recovery, governance, and sustainable development. The Climate & Environment Team (CET) focuses on climate action and environmental protection, working with partners to deliver scalable solutions. The Sustainable Energy & Waste cluster within CET implements initiatives for waste management and clean transport.
Job Purpose
This role supports three key initiatives within UNDP Sri Lanka's Climate & Environment Team: the Municipal Solid Waste Management Project (KEITI Project), the Plastic Waste Management and Circular Interventions Project (TCCF Project), and initiatives in sustainable transport and energy resilience. The Project Coordination Associate will provide essential project management support, ensuring the effective implementation of these projects. This involves maintaining work plans, tracking progress, coordinating with stakeholders, managing documentation, and supporting knowledge management and communication efforts. The position contributes to strengthening national policy frameworks, demonstrating sustainable public-private partnerships, and promoting circular economy principles for waste management and climate action.
Responsibilities
The Project Coordination Associate will be responsible for maintaining project work plans, implementation schedules, and activity timelines. They will track progress against planned activities, outputs, milestones, and targets, and compile inputs for progress and donor reports while maintaining project records. Coordination with government counterparts, implementing partners, consultants, and other stakeholders will be a key duty. The role involves compiling results data and supporting the documentation of lessons learned and good practices. Additionally, the Associate will maintain project knowledge resources and support the preparation of briefs and communication materials. They will organize project meetings, prepare materials, record decisions, and track follow-up actions. Logistical and administrative arrangements for project events, workshops, and training sessions will also be managed. Finally, the Associate will maintain and update project files, records, correspondence, and agreements, ensuring easy retrieval and version control.
Work Experience
A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience is required, preferably in project/programme implementation support functions. Experience working within the UN or another international development organization is an asset. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, strong drafting and reporting skills, and excellent interpersonal skills are essential. Familiarity with climate, energy, and environment programs, and volunteerism as a development mechanism is desirable.
Skills
Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, judgment, decision-making, planning, organizing, professionalism, and self-management. Essential skills encompass communication, advocacy, public information, and expertise in climate change, environment, and community development. Strong computer literacy and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural team are also crucial.