Project Specialist

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

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

In Pakistan, UNDP is working with the Government of Pakistan, civil society, national partners, and the people of Pakistan to help find solutions to persistent development challenges. Its work derives from and contributes to four outcome areas of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027) which include: governance; sustainable, inclusive and green economic transformation; climate change resilience and environment; and gender equality and women’s empowerment. Supported by enablers, UNDP uses a portfolio approach in Pakistan, triangulating structural transformation, leaving no one behind, and building resilience.

UNDP's country programme document for Pakistan envisions that all Pakistani people are educated and healthy, their well-being promoted and protected through economic opportunities, jobs and a climate-resilient future in a country where women and girls are safe and able to exercise their rights and to put their trust in and benefit from improved governance.

Pakistan faces a convergence of climate and security risks that threaten lives, livelihoods, and social stability. The 2025 floods affected over 6.9 million people, displaced 3 million, and destroyed critical infrastructure, compounding the devastation of the 2022 floods. These disasters have deepened poverty, eroded institutional trust, and heightened vulnerability to exploitation by extremist actors, particularly in South Punjab. Districts like Multan and Muzaffargarh, repeatedly ranked among the most climate-vulnerable in Punjab, bore the brunt of these impacts, with thousands of homes damaged, over a million acres of farmland submerged, and entire communities uprooted. These dynamics underscore that climate shocks are not isolated events, reflecting a close intersection with human security, governance, and peacebuilding.
The proposed project (Human Security through Youth-Led Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience in Punjab Project) responds to this urgent need by shifting the focus from reactive relief to proactive resilience. Anchored in the UN human security framework and Japan’s leadership in disaster risk reduction, the initiative adopts a youth-led, community-based preparedness model that prioritizes inclusion, trust-building, and local ownership. Over 12 months, the project will train 300 youth, women, and marginalized community members in early warning dissemination, contingency planning, and first response coordination. These individuals will form inclusive preparedness groups linked to formal disaster management systems, ensuring that local actions are integrated with institutional mechanisms.

Embedded within UNDP’s Flood Recovery Programme, the project leverages existing partnerships, institutional frameworks, and lessons learned to ensure cost efficiency, sustainability, and scalability. By acting during the critical early recovery window, Japan’s Supplementary Budget provides a catalytic investment that can help bridge the gap between relief and resilience, demonstrating how early, inclusive action reduces future losses and fosters stability. Through targeted pilot efforts, the project aims to transforms recovery into an opportunity to build safer, more resilient communities, reinforce trust, and advance human security in one of Pakistan’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FRP Programme Manager, the Project Specialist will report to the Programme Specialist. The position will be based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Within this context, the Project Specialist will provide day-to-day technical and coordination support across project management, knowledge management, and applied research tasks for the “Human Security through Youth-Led Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience in Punjab Project” under FRP. The role will contribute to effective delivery of project outputs, integration of human security principles into implementation, and systematic capture of evidence and learning to inform UNDP and partners.
Specifically, the Project Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

Project Management and Coordination:

• Lead planning, coordination, and implementation of project activities in line with approved work plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Liaise with implementing partners, field teams, and government counterparts to ensure timely and coherent delivery of outputs.

Technical Support on Human Security and Social Cohesion:

• Provide technical inputs to ensure that project activities integrate disaster risk reduction and preparedness principles, with a focus on inclusive community engagement, youth-led preparedness initiatives, and human security-oriented approaches to strengthening community resilience.

Knowledge Management and Documentation:

• Lead systematic documentation of project processes, lessons learned, and good practices.
• Contribute to development of learning briefs, case studies, and internal knowledge products aligned with the proposed project and Flood Recovery Programme.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning:

• Contribute to progress tracking, preparation of periodic progress updates, and synthesis of monitoring data to inform adaptive management and learning.

Applied Research and Analytical Support:

• Undertake light research and background analysis related to climate, disaster risk, human security, and community resilience to inform implementation, learning products, and donor reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Facilitate coordination with provincial and district authorities, civil society partners, and relevant UNDP units.
• Lead organization of meetings, workshops, and learning events.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• 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 in the dedicated site

Cross-functional & Technical competencies:

Business management

• Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Partnerships Management. 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
• Monitoring & Evaluation. Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

General (across the functions)

• Event planning and execution. Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation. Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Direction & 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.

Data

• Data analysis. Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in International Development, Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, Disaster Risk Management, or a related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the fields stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in project support, coordination, or implementation in development, humanitarian, peacebuilding, or resilience-related programmes.

Required skills:

• Experience with basic concepts in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, social cohesion, and human security.
• Experience supporting project implementation, coordination, and reporting in a UN or international development context.

Desired Skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience with youth-led or community-based disaster risk reduction approaches.
• Experience working effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government counterparts, communities, and development partners.
• Experience in Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) policies and approaches, particularly related to human security and disaster risk reduction.
• Prior experience supporting projects funded by the Government of Japan.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Japanese language is an asset.

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.

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.

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.