Project Specialist

Mid Senior

Overview

Manage the RDPP project components effectively and efficiently.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, etc.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience with a master's degree or 7 years with a bachelor's degree in project management and coordination.
• Proven experience in project management and knowledge management for national or international organizations is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other project management tools is required.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.
• Experience in working with partners including UN, civil society, and private sector is desirable.
• Prior experience in coordination and project management within international organizations is desirable.
• Prior experience in displacement contexts and resilience strategies is desirable.

Contract

This is a NPSA-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-10 contracts.

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Human mobility in the Arab region is significant in both scale and diversity. The region is characterized by increasingly complex patterns of human mobility, driven by numerous, intersecting push and pull factors, with many Arab States serving as prominent countries of origin, transit and/or destination for both international migration and forced displacement. The Syria conflict specifically, now in its fourteenth year, remains one of the largest protracted displacement crises, with 6.7 million Syrians still displaced across the region in 2024. Host countries such as Lebanon and Jordan face significant socio-economic pressures e.g., constrained public resources and capacities, while responding to overlapping national and regional crises. The more recent political shift in Syria is likely to have significant implications on Syrians’ demographic distribution in the areas hosting them resulting from adjusted national and local policies, funding, and social dynamics within hosting countries.

Since 2013, UNDP has been at the forefront of the Syria crisis response through its Sub-regional Response Facility (SRF). The latter has been co-leading the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) with UNHCR since 2014. The 3RP brings together more than 230 humanitarian and development partners to work together under a single plan to address both the immediate and longer-term needs of refugees, host communities and host countries including Lebanon, Jordan, Türkiye, Iraq and Egypt. The 3RP regional planning and monitoring efforts are coordinated by a UNDP-UNHCR Joint Secretariat (JS).

UNDP capitalizes on its vast experience gained under the 3RP and will leverage relevant expertise in the agency as needed, to address displacement-related needs, devise and facilitate early-on the pathways towards sustainable responses, strengthen local and national capacities to respond and prevent the impact of crises, and ensure engagement with donors, private sector, IFIs, foundations and philanthropies, among others, before, during the onset of, and in protracted crises.

Towards that, UNDP is embarking on a new project over the period of 2025-26, funded by the Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP), a multi-donor fund led by Denmark and focusing on solutions to Syrians’ displacement in Lebanon and Jordan. The project aims to promote adaptive solutions through evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue. The project will ultimately contribute to safeguarding protection and inclusion space for refugees and their hosts through:

• Developed learning-based research agenda and advocacy plan, to support project outputs and achieve project objectives.
• Generated relevant and informed evidence, including for-purpose context monitoring, ad-hoc analysis, policy briefs, and in-depth research, to strengthen and guide policy dialogue and advocacy.
• Informed policies and programming and strengthened coordination for solutions through strategic, evidence-based advocacy engagements with stakeholders.
• Enhanced alliances and coalitions through strategic partnerships, thematic collaborations, and formalized processes to achieve shared advocacy objectives.

The Project Specialist is expected to effectively manage the implementation of the RDPP project components following UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP). S/he is also expected to support strategic partnerships, effective communications, monitoring, knowledge building and sharing, and partnership and resource mobilization amongst others.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the SRF Coordinator, and under the day-to-day supervision of the Policy and Resilience Specialist, the incumbent will perform below mentioned duties and responsibilities.

1) PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ensure day-to-day management of the project, especially the financial and administrative management for effective results-based management of the project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure the smooth running of the project and provide sound technical inputs throughout implementation of the project.
• Ensure the effective, efficient, and timely implementation of project workplan, and delivery of outputs and contribution to outcomes through an effective Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) plan, thorough indicators’ means of verification log, and in close coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Lead on any updating of key project documents, including detailed annual work plan, risk log, procurement plan and MEAL plans.
• Work closely with project administration, procurement and finance staff, including the Regional Programme, to ensure efficient and transparent use of project resources in line with approved budgets and within UNDP rules and regulations, e.g., for travel, venue bookings, consultancies, payments to partners and consultants etc.
• Lead on reporting including drafting project narrative reports and coordinating budget revisions and reviews of financial reports as needed.
• Lead the project procurement, subcontracting and outsourcing of services ensuring quality of terms of references for the timely procurement of goods and services required to deliver the outputs of the project, and facilitate the work of consultants, e.g., communications and compendium development, including identifying and coordinating with relevant stakeholders, timely preparation of payments with all supporting documentation.
• Promote accountability through effective project results reporting (quarterly, and annual progress and financial reports), to the Project Board.
• Support decisions on possible management and risk mitigation actions and ensuring all Project risks and issues are addressed/resolved effectively and in a timely manner.
• Set up and maintain all relevant files for the various initiatives, including contracts and financial and narrative reports in line with UNDP policies, ensure proper coordination and availability of all project documents for audit requirements.
• Ensure gender equality mainstreaming in the project, with coordination as needed from the UNDP Gender team.
• Ensure quality summary reports and minutes taking of events and meetings, follow-up on action points, drafting talking points and briefing documents, events’ concept notes and reports, invitations and manage registration sheets etc.

2) COORDINATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS: Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure achievement of project results and support positioning:

• Manage the partnership with Mercy Corps Crisis Analysis Unit through a Responsible Party Agreement, including internal project management e.g., reporting, monitoring etc.
• Coordinate day-to-day engagement on the project with country-level focal points from UNDP Lebanon and Jordan and ensure conflict sensitivity based on regular consultation and advice from UNDP country offices.
• Ensure effective collaboration with the UN and other humanitarian and development partners, in close coordination with the SRF team.
• Participate as a member of the 3RP Joint Secretariat and enhance linkages with relevant 3RP initiatives, in close coordination with the SRF Coordinator and Policy and Resilience Specialist.
• Strengthening relationships with development partners through the preparation of relevant partnership agreement instruments, advocacy and communication material, knowledge products etc. including the private sector and philanthropies within the context of crisis response and innovation.
• In consultation with the communication consultant, ensure the development and implementation of a communications plan for the project.
• Facilitate and ensure the adaptive management component of the project, including regular updates of the research agenda and advocacy plan through coordination with relevant colleagues.
• Formulate concept notes and ideas for continuity and sustainability beyond the project life in coordination with UNDP colleagues, e.g., concept notes, proposals, terms of references etc.
• Promote effective resource mobilization and identify and collaborate with potential partners to leverage Project funds and results.

3) KNOWLEDGE, LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE-SHARING: Ensure quality knowledge, learning and experience-sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Promote and advise on relevant knowledge production at regional and country levels within the project’s scope, leveraging existing knowledge and avoiding duplications.
• Document lessons learned through the project’s adaptive management, disseminate through appropriate communications channels, and inform relevant UNDP and partner initiatives.
• Facilitate dialogue, best practice and lessons learned knowledge sharing among stakeholders linked to project goals through presentations, webinars, panels, factsheets, and other modalities to an external audience (e.g., country, regional and global levels partners), and an internal audience (UNDP RBAS, Crisis Bureau, etc.).
• Support in conducting desk reviews and research by inputting and drafting relevant research and policy papers and documents.
• Establish and maintain the SRF knowledge database on the SharePoint and share with relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Support the engagement on capacity development initiatives relevant to the project, e.g., with relevant UNDP academies focused on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus and Finance Academies.
• Provide sound contributions to relevant working groups, knowledge networks and communities of practice among others.

The incumbent is expected to perform other related duties as required within their functional profile as deemed necessary by the SRF coordinator.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the direct supervision of the SRF Coordinator, the Project Specialist works closely with the SRF team and the Policy and Resilience Specialist, to provide effective and efficient technical and policy inputs to achieving the project’s results. The Project Specialist will work closely with the Policy and Resilience Specialist, Mercy Corps colleagues, UNDP country office focal points to manage the RDPP-funded project.

Competencies

Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People: Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name

Definition

Business management Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business management Partnership Management

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and

policies

Business Management Risk Management

Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business Management Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications

internally and externally, through media, social

media and other appropriate channels

Partnership

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

2030 Agenda: Prosperity

Recovery Solutions Human

Mobility

Resilience: Community-Based Resilience Building

Business Direction and Strategy

System Thinking

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated

elements coexist within an overall process or

system, and to consider how altering one element

can impact on other parts of the system

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements and relevant work experience Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent)

in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, International Affairs, International Law, Political Science, International Development, or a related field is required. Or

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience Minimum of five (5) years (with a Masters’ degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in managing, implementing and working in projects of multi-lateral, international and national/local organizations, private sector, academia, think tanks, and/or government agencies on project and programme coordination, development, research, policy and other areas related to development. Required skills - Proven experience in project management and knowledge management for international or national organizations (UN agencies, civil society organizations -CSOs) is required. - Proven experience in working inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners including the UN, private sector, CSOs among others is required. - Proven track record of strong communication skills both written and verbal, excellent report writing, and organizational skills is required. - Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and other project management tools, is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section - Prior experience in working with international organizations (UN agencies, INGOs) on coordination, project management and in multi-partner projects is desirable. - Familiarity with the Syrian displacement crisis and/or the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) is desired. - Proven experience in providing policy advice is desired. - Proven track record of ability to work with tight deadlines and ability to work well as part of a team is desirable. - Previous experience working on displacement contexts and responses, resilience is desirable. - Demonstrated ability to communicate and deal effectively with partners including UN, civil society, private sector, and others to address relevant issues and to ensure the greater impact of the SRF activities is desirable.

Required Language(s) - Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Professional Certificates - N/A

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org