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Project Assistant (SQAM Project) - Blantyre, Malawi

PROJECT ASSISTANT (SQAM PROJECT) - (OPEN TO MALAWIAN NATIONALS ONLY)
Location :
Blantyre, MALAWI
Application Deadline :
30-Apr-14
Additional Category
Poverty Reduction
Type of Contract :
Service Contract
Post Level :
SB-3
Languages Required :
English  
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
01-Jun-2014
Duration of Initial Contract :
One Year
Background
The “Development of a robust standardization, quality assurance, accreditation and metrology (SQAM) Infrastructure in Malawi” project, funded by the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme, has recently commenced and is meant to enhance the ability to export goods from Malawi by reducing the need for re-testing, re-inspection, re-certification abroad through acceptance of measurements, tests, conformity assessment results issued in Malawi. The purpose of the project is to contribute to a more adequate, effective and sustainable National Quality Infrastructure in Malawi in accordance with international and regional principles and practices (e.g. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC)), by supporting the improvement of the performance of the Malawi Bureau of Standards. This will have direct implications in terms of benefits for Malawi enterprises through improved business services provided by the National Quality Infrastructure and indirectly, and in the long term, in terms of improved protection of consumer rights of Malawian citizens.

The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) is the Lead Implementing Partner and Financial and Management oversight is provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) whilst the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) provides technical support.

Under the supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the MBS Project Coordinator, the Project Assistant will provide assistance to project management team in the implementation of project activities in accordance with UN Financial and Project Management Rules and Procedures and, in doing so, contribute to the efficient implementation of the project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure effective and efficient project management:
  • Provides support in the day-to-day implementation of the project including the coordination of project activities, regular reporting on implementation of the activities, joint spot checks. Maintains project work plans in accordance with project management principles;
  • Assist with logistical and administrative arrangements in support of experts and/or missions;
  • Follows up on inputs, quality assurance decisions and ensure the achievement of the expected results;
  • Supports procurement processes for goods and services using Office of Director if Procurement (ODPP) procedures and UN procurement rules and regulations.
  • Ensures financial reports, payment vouchers, Government and combined delivery reports, and other project correspondences are accurately filed;
  • Performs duties in accordance with UN and Government policies and procedures;
  • Supports timely implementation of strategic project management decisions, audit follow-up actions and SQAM – related strategic policy and legal frameworks;
  • Support with conducting joint spot checks and preparation of reports on the same.
    Ensure advocacy, information, education and communication of Standardization and Quality Assurance:
    • Supports the implementation of visibility activities for the SQAM Project according to the Project Visibility and Communication Plan;
    • Supports the preparation of presentations, visibility activities, advocacy and IEC materials etc;
    • Supports with preparation of articles to be placed on MBS, UNDP and UNIDO Websites.
      Ensure efficient knowledge management and project monitoring and evaluation:
      • Assist with logistical arrangements for project management and quality assurance meetings such as Steering Committee Meetings;
      • Draft minutes, agendas, correspondence, memos, letters, recommendations, position papers, proposals, etc.
      • Support with arrangement for joint monitoring visits to projects sites;
      • Act as a focal point for the media houses and UN/UNDP communication officers;
      • Maintain a filing system with records of articles in newspapers, presentations made at events, financial reports including payment vouchers and delivery reports, and project asset inventory.
        Impact of Results 
        • Timely delivery of annual budgets and planned results;
        • Quality advocacy of SQAM related policy and legal frameworks; and
        • Improved Malawi Bureau of Standards Services.
          Competencies
          • Ability to plan and organize;
          • Ability to analyze and solve problems;
          • Excellent interpersonal skills;
          • Cultural sensitivity;
          • Ability to work in teams;
          • Advanced report writing skills;
          • Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
          • Knowledge of standardization, Quality Assurance, Knowledge of Standardization, Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Metrology will be an added advantage;
          • Good computer skills of Micro soft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
            Required Skills and Experience
            Education: 
            • Malawi School Certificate of Education;
            • Those with University degree in science/technology/engineering or other course/diplomas (such as project management/economics/business) will have an added advantage.
            Experience: 
            • 6years’ relevant experience that includes a minimum of two in SQAM-related fields or in developmental projects.
            Language:
            • Fluent in spoken and written English.

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