PROJECT ASSISTANT (SB-2 (Min) SC5/GS5 1 (Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan) contract

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Kyrgyzstan

Job Family: Communication and Information

Type of contract : Affiliated personnel

Level : SC2

Duration of contract : 12 months  (Initial contract duration is for 3 months of probation period.  Renewable (subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds).

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 15-APR-2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

(Only candidates entitled to work in Kyrgyzstan may apply for this post)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Within the framework of the “Empowering Youth to Building Bridges for Social Cohesion” extra-budgetary project (hereinafter “Project”) of UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty funded by UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and jointly implemented together with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), as a lead agency in the project, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNESCO intends to address social polarization by equipping youth, including adolescents, from diverse backgrounds, with peacebuilding competencies and skills such as social and emotional skills, media and information literacy skills, communication and expression, cooperation and teamwork, identity and self-esteem. Additionally, the project will build capacities of people to bridge differences in a non violent manner and counter the prevalence of violent culture. In doing so, it will emphasise developing skills for constructive communication, critical evaluation of diverse information flows, and promoting Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as a key tool for navigating today’s complex information ecosystems. By fostering MIL competencies, young people will learn to identify, analyse, and counter disinformation, misinformation and hate speech, which are significant drivers of polarization. Empowered as agents of non-violent culture, the young people will be enabled to implement a wide array of initiatives aimed at social cohesion. Youth-led facilitation of exchanges of perspectives, knowledge, resources between communities, schools and individuals representing these major social divides is among the projects’ strategies. The project will contribute to information integrity by addressing hate speech while protecting freedom of expression to foster tolerance and respect for difference.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Director of UNESCO Almaty and the immediate supervision and guidance of the National Programme Officer for Communication and Information (CI), Education
Programme Specialist both in Almaty, and National Project Officer in Bishkek, the National Project Assistant will support and contribute to the implementation of the Project under CI and ED portfolio in these following areas:

1. Administrative support.
   • Provide substantive logistical and comprehensive administrative support to the National Project Officer to ensure the smooth and timely implementation of project activities across all targeted communities. This includes assistance with project procurement processes, coordination of technical consultations, organization of expert group sessions, facilitation of meetings and events, and logistical support for field missions.
   • Assist in drafting project-related documentation, including memos, reports, presentations, and official correspondence, ensuring consistency with organizational standards, formatting guidelines, and quality requirements.

2. Operational and travel support.
   • Initiate and process travel authorizations, coordinate logistical arrangements for National Project Officer and consultants, and ensure timely communication regarding procedures, timelines, and requirements related to project implementation.
   • Prepare and submit purchase requisitions through the DUO system, ensuring compliance with organizational procurement procedures and timely follow-up with relevant units for approvals and processing.

3. Event planning and coordination.
   • Assist in the organization and coordination of project-related events, including meetings, workshops, and conferences, by ensuring timely arrangements for venues, accommodation, transportation, catering, and other logistical and administrative requirements.
   • Provide administrative support for project activities, including the organization of meetings, workshops, official travel, and procurement processes, in close collaboration with relevant UNESCO units and external service providers.
   • Participate in project meetings and workshops, taking clear, accurate, and well-structured minutes to support proper documentation, knowledge management, and follow-up on agreed actions.
   • Support National Project Officer in developing the meeting agenda and respective presentations.

4. Contract management and payment processing.
   • Prepare, process, and track payment requests, ensuring accuracy and completeness of supporting documentation, and closely follow up to ensure the timely disbursement of funds to contractors, consultants, and service providers.
   • Provide support to project procurement activities, in liaison with the Programme Support Unit and National Project Officer: making cost estimates, drafting contracts’ assignments/terms of reference, organizing and following up on tenders/biddings, searching vendors, coordinating with contracted organizations and individuals.
   • Establish and maintain a comprehensive tracking system for all project-related contracts, to monitor the timely submission of deliverables, identify any delays or gaps, and promptly report issues or risks to the Supervisor for corrective action.
   • Support contract management processes by providing guidance to contractors and service providers on reporting requirements, deliverable formats, and deadlines, while ensuring full compliance with UNESCO rules, procedures, and contractual obligations.
   • Monitor deliverable timelines, cross-check submitted data for accuracy and completeness, and follow up with contractors on pending deliverables or outstanding documentation as needed.
   • Review submitted deliverables to ensure their quality, relevance, and compliance with the agreed Terms of Reference (TORs) and contractual conditions, and process corresponding payment requests based on satisfactory completion.

5. Support communication and visibility.
   • Assist in the development and dissemination of communication materials, including brochures, newsletters, and other publications to enhance the project’s visibility and outreach.

6. Support to monitoring.
   • Maintain an organized and up-to-date electronic filing system for all project-related documents, ensuring compliance with the organization’s records management policies and data protection standard. This includes regularly updating files, archiving outdated materials, and facilitating easy retrieval of information for project reporting, audits, and knowledge management purposes.
   • Perform any other tasks as required to support the effective and efficient implementation of the project. This may include assisting with logistical arrangements, providing administrative and operational support, preparing documentation, facilitating communication between project stakeholders, and undertaking any additional responsibilities assigned by the UNESCO personnel in accordance with the evolving needs and priorities of the project.

The National Project Assistant may perform any other duties deemed necessary or relevant to his/her responsibilities, as outlined above, by immediate supervisor or the Director of UNESCO Almaty.

EDUCATION
   • Bachelor’s degree in management, business administration, finances or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE
   • A minimum of 2 (two) years of relevant work experience administrative, logistical and financial support with implementation of the development projects.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
   • Ability to work as part of a team and in a multicultural environment, to take initiative and to provide quality and timely support and services.
   • Good interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to draft correspondence and correct documents.
   • Good organizational and coordination skills.
   • Ability to interpret rules and manage priorities in order to meet tight deadlines.
   • Discretion and capacity to deal efficiently and tactfully with people of different cultural backgrounds.
   • Good ICT skills with proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office.

LANGUAGES
   • Fluent knowledge of written and spoken English and Russian languages.

WORK EXPERIENCE
   • Experience in the UN System or international organization, international non-governmental organizations, or similar entities, or with PBF-funded projects.

LANGUAGES
   • Good knowledge of written and spoken Kyrgyz language.

• Salary: base monthly gross USD 1,215.78
(monthly rates in reference to the local UN FTA salary scales of the locally recruited staff, corresponding to 66% of the gross base salary; subject to change in case of changes in local UN salary scale).

• Medical and Pension Coverage.
As additional payment, upon proof of enrolment in an appropriate pension and/or medical scheme, the following contributions will be added to the SC holder’s remuneration:
   (a) up to 10% of the SC holder’s remuneration to represent UNESCO’s sole contribution for pension; and
   (b) up to 5% of the SC holder’s remuneration to represent UNESCO’s sole contribution to medical insurance.
The SC holder must provide the proof of affiliation to local or private social security scheme if in receipt of an additional payment.

• Income Tax.
The remuneration paid to SC holders is not exempt from any income tax which may be levied by the tax authorities in the country where work is performed or any other tax authorities.

UNESCO shall not reimburse any taxes, duties or other contributions for which the SC holder may be personally liable in respect of payments made under the terms of his/her contract.

SC holders will be solely and personally responsible for complying with tax laws that are applicable to them, and for paying any taxes (in particular income tax), duties or other contributions for which they may be personally liable, under any tax laws applicable to them, in respect of any payments made to them under the terms of their SC contract.

• UNESCO’s salaries are paid in the currency established by the local UN System (currently in USD).

• Annual leave is granted at the rate of 2,5 working days for each completed month of service. The annual leave entitlement must be taken in full during the contract period.

• Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PRE-SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
A WRITTEN EXAMINATION MAY BE USED IN THE EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES.
UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
WOMEN CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.