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Programme Associate
Better Than Cash
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Posted on May 8, 2026
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, being a long-term and fully trusted strategic development partner of the country, together with the government, vertical funds (VFs) and other development actors in Turkmenistan supports the country to address complex development issues across a broad spectrum of issues relating to democratic governance, environment and energy, and human development.
The Resilience, Environment and Energy is the biggest UNDP portfolio in Turkmenistan in terms of number of projects (currently 13 ongoing projects) with wide range of thematic areas (climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy, sustainable land and water management, urban resilience and disaster risk reduction). The main bulk of the portfolio funding comes from the vertical funds (GEF, GCF) with contributions by the Government of Turkmenistan and other bilateral partners. The portfolio works closely with such national partners as the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Water Management Committee, the Academy of Science of Turkmenistan, as well as other government entities and local CSOs and NGOs.
The Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Program Analyst, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNDP HQ, and UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex finance-related issues. The Programme Associate may supervise clerical and support staff of the Programme Unit if required
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
- Support formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Documents (CPDs).
- Provide background information for preparation of CPDs, establishment of Baselines, Milestones and Targets (BMT) and reporting, including ROARs.
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Provide information/evidence to guide future programming and identify implementation arrangements.
2. Provide effective support to management of the Country Office programme.
- Create project in ERP, prepare required budget revisions including in GEF PIMS, revise project status, determine unutilized funds, and ensure operational and financial closure of a project.
- Provide day-to-day guidance to implementing partners on implementation of projects, and track use of financial resources and projects risk management. Contribute to managing regional initiatives and projects in programme implementation.
- Contribute to the effective management of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle. Follow up on programme and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports, and implementation of corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools.
- Identify programme related bottlenecks and propose solutions.
- Make preparations for external and internal programme/project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations.
- Maintain engagement and smooth working relationship with national partners and other stakeholders
- Provide administrative support to the Programme unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of technical reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.
3. Support implementation of the CO partnership and resource mobilization strategies.
- Analyze information on donors and prepare donor profiles.
- Track and report on mobilized resources and their utilization.
- Review contributions agreements and manage contributions in ERP.
4. Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office.
In assigned programme areas:
- Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.
- Compile lessons learned and best practices.
- Provide contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice and digital knowledge platforms.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
| Core: Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achieve Results
| LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Think Innovatively
| LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learn Continuously
| LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adapt with Agility
| LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Act with Determination | LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engage and Partner
| LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion
| LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
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Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary education is required
- Specialized certification in Accounting and Finance is an asset
- A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field with at least 3 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration.
Experience:
- A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
- Experience in reviewing and editing documents, producing meeting reports identifying key actions.
- Experience with the United Nations or any other international agency would be a valuable asset.
- Experience in partnership building and management with multi-stakeholders, including government agencies, and other development partners will be advantage.
- Experience collaborating within diverse and large teams is essential.
Knowledge of languages:
- Fluency in English, Russian and Turkmen
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
Duties and Responsibilities