Programme Associate – Local Development and Financing

Volunteering

Contract

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The Programme of Cooperation of UNDP Morocco (Country Programme Document 2023–2027) focuses on three main priorities:

• Priority 1: Inclusive economic transformation and sustainability;
• Priority 2: Inclusion and social protection;
• Priority 3: Governance, resilience and local development.

Local development constitutes a core thematic area of UNDP’s cooperation with the Government of Morocco. Morocco continues to face significant territorial disparities, unequal access to basic services and socio-economic opportunities across regions, as well as institutional capacity gaps at subnational level. Strengthening decentralization, improving local governance and promoting inclusive, integrated and sustainable territorial development remain key national priorities. In this context, the financing of local development represents a critical challenge. While significant public resources are mobilized at national and subnational levels, local authorities and territorial actors continue to face challenges in accessing, coordinating and effectively leveraging available sources of financing to address their development priorities. Strengthening the capacity of territories to mobilize and align public, private and development financing is therefore essential to translating territorial strategies and priorities into concrete and sustainable investments. Through a diversified local development portfolio, UNDP Morocco supports initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacities of local authorities, enhancing participatory territorial planning, promoting local economic development, improving service delivery, and fostering accountability and citizen engagement. Building on this experience, UNDP Morocco is also supporting the development of innovative approaches to territorial financing, including through the Integrated Local Financing Framework (ILFF). The ILFF provides a strategic framework to better understand, mobilize and align diverse sources of financing with local development priorities, while strengthening coordination among public institutions, development partners, the private sector and other territorial stakeholders. UNDP Morocco provides technical assistance and policy advice to national and subnational institutions to support the implementation of decentralization reforms, strengthen local financing systems and advance integrated, inclusive and sustainable territorial development in line with national priorities and international commitments.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, and the day-to-day supervision of the Programme Analyst – Prosperity Pillar, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1- Support for the Analysis of Local Development Financing - Support the collection, compilation, and organization of data on the various sources of financing for local and regional development. - Contribute to mapping the main sources of financing available at the national, regional, and local levels, including public resources, transfers, funding from development partners, private financing, and innovative mechanisms. - Support the analysis of gaps between territories’ funding needs and available resources. - Prepare data tables, analytical fact sheets, and summary materials on trends and challenges related to local development financing. - Contribute to identifying the main institutional, financial, and operational constraints limiting territories’ access to available resources.

2- Support for the Implementation of the Integrated Local Financing Framework (ILFF) - Contribute to the preparation of work and activities related to the implementation of the ILFF at the local level. - Support the preparation of local assessments of needs, priorities, and financing mechanisms. - Participate in identifying and documenting the institutional and financial actors involved in local development financing. - Contribute to the analysis of the alignment between territorial priorities, development plans and programs, and the various sources of funding.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check-ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Empowering Others Ethics and Values Integrity Knowledge Sharing Leadership Managing Performance Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Working in Teams

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in: • local development, territorial governance, • economics, • finance, • sustainable financing, • development planning, or related fields, including through academic projects, internships, volunteering, or extracurricular activities.

Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (e.g., studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Skills in: - Research and analysis of local development and financing issues; - Basic economic and financial analysis; - Data collection, processing, and visualization; - Preparation of presentations, briefs, reports, and other programme documents; - Stakeholder mapping and coordination; - Knowledge of local development, territorial governance, and sustainable financing is an asset; - Good command of MS Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; - Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills; - Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment; - Interest in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusive growth, and innovative financing for development.

Morocco is a Maghreb country located in the northwest of Africa. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea. Deserts, plains and mostly mountains make up this territory of 446,550 square km, with a population of 35.3 million. Iliteracy (about 30%), poverty (about 4.8% of the population), unemployment (10% to 15%), life expectancy at birth (70%) and infant mortality (4%) occupy a relatively small place in the UN Human Development Index category. The country has undergone political, institutional and demographic transitions over the past decade, gaining three places in the world's human development rankings. The country is in the security phase I. Rabat is the capital of Morocco. The city is located on the edge of the Atlantic in northwestern Morocco, 40 km south of Kenitra and 240 km southwest of Tangier and the Strait of Gibraltar, and 87 km northeast of Casablanca. It is separated from the town of Salé at the mouth of the Bouregreg, hence their nickname "twin cities". The climate of the city is a Mediterranean-style climate, subject to the four distinct seasons. Winters are cool and rainy, with nighttime minimums of less than 5 degrees Celsius, or sometimes as high as 0 degrees Celsius, and pleasant days around 17 degrees Celsius. Frosts are relatively rare. Summers are very hot, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, the nights are always cool and the humidity of the ocean air is clearly felt. Accommodation is available at reasonable prices.

Location of the work place: The programme associate will be based in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, offering reliable services including housing, transportation, banking, shopping, and medical facilities. Rabat has around 500,000 inhabitants and is located on the Atlantic coast, 90 km from Casablanca, the country’s largest city and main international airport. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with cool, rainy winters (around 5–17 °C) and hot summers (sometimes exceeding 35 °C). Morocco is geographically and culturally diverse, featuring coasts, mountains, deserts, forests, and a rich cultural heritage.

Housing: In Rabat, a variety of housing options is available, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as houses. Monthly rental costs vary depending on the type and size of the property, as indicated in the table below (USD). Several real estate agencies provide information on available properties, and additional sources include classified ads, posters in stores, word-of-mouth recommendations, and personal networks.

Cost of Living: Rabat offers a moderate cost of living compared to other major Moroccan cities. Monthly expenses for a single expatriate, including housing, utilities, transportation, food, and basic services, typically range between USD 1,000 and 1,500, depending on lifestyle and housing choice. Housing constitutes the largest portion of living costs, followed by transportation and daily necessities. Rabat provides access to quality services, shopping, healthcare, and recreational facilities, contributing to a comfortable standard of living for international staff.

Conditions of Service: The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

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Added 6 hours ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: unv.org