Background   South Sudan gained its independence in 2011 following a long and protracted civil war. Since then, two significant conflicts broke out (December 2013 and July 2016) plunging the country in a deep economic, social and political crisis which have undermined the development gains achieved since independence and exacerbated the continuing humanitarian crisis. The country is endowed with vast natural resources and economic potential that has not translated into improved standards of living for the citizens. It is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts with rising temperatures and the increasing severity of drought and flood events having major negative impacts on lives and livelihoods. Such impacts compounded food insecurity, conflicts and a macroeconomic crisis. Capacity-constrained institutions and fragile governance in the post-conflict context add to the challenges of climate change adaptation in South Sudan.

The environment and natural resources of South Sudan are the foundation for economic and social development to satisfy important economic, social, cultural and political needs of its peoples. However, climate change coupled with human activities are posing a threat to the quality of environment mostly resulting from unsustainable use of natural resources and pollution from agricultural development. Land degradation poses serious threats to food security, water availability, adaptation and mitigation to climate change and the livelihoods of the people of South Sudan.

UNDP, with support from UNEP and GEF, is implementing a project that focuses on priority areas identified within South Sudan’s Nationally Determined Commitments (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP), namely, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, environment, water resources, policy and institutional frameworks. The primary objective of the project is to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities in two states in South Sudan to the observed and predicted impacts of climate change. This objective will be achieved through a series of complementary interventions that will: i) increase the capacity of the government to implement climate change adaptation interventions; ii) upgrade the national meteorological network and support the production of short-range forecasts; iii) demonstrate the benefits of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) for buffering against climate change impacts, as well as for increasing the provision of ecosystem goods and services; iv) improve access to water for agriculture and livestock; v) foster sustainable, climate-resilient production of crops, fodder and fuelwood to reduce pressures on natural resources; and vi) produce and disseminate knowledge on climate change adaptation to inform evidence-based decision-making in relevant sectors. These interventions are designed to generate sustained benefits beyond the project’s lifetime, with a focus on capacity-building, community ownership, and knowledge generation and dissemination. Duties and Responsibilities;   The Project Assistant will directly support all the technical, strategic and leadership functions of the strategic planning, budget planning, management and administration of the project by providing programme support, managing data and facilitating its implementation. The Programme Assistants promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations and works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the UNDP CO for resolving complex programme-related issues and information delivery.

Ensures administration and  implementation of  programme strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results: Presentation of thoroughly researched information for effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets. Establishment of the mechanisms to track use of RBM tools and maintenance of RBM database; Presentation of information/ reports for identification of areas for support and interventions. Provides effective support to Programme and projects formulation and implementation Support preparation of background information for programme/project formulation, support project documentation preparation, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements in line with the UNDP Results Management User guide (RMG) requirements and GEF practices and guidelines. Assistance in preparation/reviews of project-related documents and quarterly/annual project reviews and ongoing monitoring, drafts standard correspondence and presentations on the projects/programmes Maintain and keep (original) donor and partner-related documentation of the project (e.g. correspondence, donor reports). Assist in coordination of project activities with consultants, drafts terms of reference for the consultants. Provide both internal and external clients (including Country Offices) with timely and adequate support/ information on programme and project activities Review of GEF project submissions to ensure correct format, edits, procedures, calculations etc. Responsibility for ensuring GEF submissions are made and tracking of submissions at HQ and GEFSEC.  Maintaining data on submission and response times Handles the issuance of Delegations of Authorities (DOAs), review of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and issuance of Annual Spending Limits (ASLs) Support to CO in preparing project budget revisions, review of budget revisions and forwarding of advice/recommendations Monitors project delivery, provides monthly Atlas project progress reports to STARR, ensures submission of progress reports Ensures all project Atlas information is up to date and fully maintained by COs, including Risk Management Module and issues log Supports COs with project delivery, identifying issues, providing early warning of delivery blockages, and working with COs to ensure smooth delivery Maintaining portfolio and project information calendar: upcoming evaluations, supervision missions Support to operational and financial closure of projects, including appropriate reporting to UNEP and GEF as necessary. Provides project financial support focusing on achievement of the following results: Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of projects Financial Reports. Management of project Budget, providing monthly status reports to Project Manager and the STARR unit, preparing budget revisions, reporting and liaising with STARR unit on project budget matters Based on the Project Manager instructions and discussions creation of a project in Atlas, creation of project award, determination of unutilized funds and donor balances, operational and financial close of a project. Annual review of project transactions and follow up on Atlas generated Combined Delivery Reports (CDRs) that should be signed by the project manager/CO and uploaded to Atlas Recommends and makes the budget revisions ensuring that appropriate formats are used and uploaded to Atlas Sets up and monitors the budgets, updates financial information on delivery and status of implementation of the projects Drafts the financial reports for donors, monitors use of cost sharing funds and other resources Tracks and reports on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas, follow up on General Management Services fee (GMS). Liaison with project implementation agencies to make sure that Project Delivery Reports (PDRs) are appropriately uploaded to Atlas