Project Management Specialist

Result of Service

The India Cooling Programme is supported to be efficiently managed, and key outputs are delivered on time and to a high standard and impact is significantly enhanced and reported. The Programme Manager is effectively supported in project coordination, stakeholder management, and administrative delivery. Strategic partnerships and technical assistance mechanisms are tracked and well-organised. Digital collaboration and work planning tools are optimised for team use and progress monitoring.

Work Location

New Delhi

Expected duration

3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The UNEP Cities Unit supports integrated approaches across all sectors to drive low-carbon, resilient, inclusive, pollution-free urban development with specific thematic focus on built environment and urban infrastructure, cooling and urban energy, urban food systems, circularity, and nature-based solutions. A highly motivated senior project management specialist is needed to perform tasks of a managerial, organizational and administrative nature under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and as part of the Cities Unit of the Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Specifically, they are needed to support the management, coordination and delivery of UNEP’s India Cooling Programme which is being implemented by UNEP under the framework of the Cool Coalition. The senior project management specialist will be under the Mitigation Branch of UNEP with significant liaison with UNEP Asia-Pacific and Paris Office and based in New Delhi, India. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the senior project management specialist will: Work Planning and Coordination • Develop and maintain programme work plans and Gantt charts using MS Project, Planner, and other project management tools, and facilitate use and uptake by project team • Monitor programme progress against deliverables and coordinate with internal and external consultants and partners to ensure timely execution. • Schedule, prepare for, and follow up on meetings, workshops, and missions. • Develop and communicate on project strategy • Support the Programme Lead in aligning project workstreams with global cooling strategy and reporting frameworks Operational and Administrative Support • Manage shared digital folders, version control, backups and collaborative file structures across multiple workstreams and team members and facilitate organizational enhancement of programme team • Undertake development, processing, and tracking of contracts, memoranda of understanding (MoUs), and funding agreements • Draft summaries, notes, correspondence, and inputs for reports or donor updates, as required. • Undertake non-technical review and enhancement of documents, proposals and communication products for impact, language and clarity • Develop global project documents and reports Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement • Maintain partner tracking tools and calendars for engagements with governments, partners, and technical institutions. • Follow up on action items and track deliverables from key partners and consultants and support budget planning • Prepare and consolidate non-technical recommendations on programme design and with government partners including on organization, governance and fund design • Develop and update simple M&E tracking tools to monitor progress on programme indicators. • Liaise with implementing partners to gather data, success stories, and lessons learned for results reporting. • Compile inputs for reporting to senior management, donors, and steering committees. Knowledge and Document Management • Organise programme documentation (e.g. inception reports, technical studies, outputs from pilot projects) for accessibility and dissemination. • Coordinate document formatting and contribute to preparation of presentations and knowledge products. Technical and Digital Tools Support • Serve as focal point for use of project management and collaboration tools (MS Project, MS Teams Planner, SharePoint, etc.) and facilitate and enhance project team’s use of these tools • Train or support team members in using tools efficiently and troubleshoot technical issues. • Coordinate internal reviews and quality assurance processes for technical deliverables. • Contribute to the preparation of project concept notes, briefings, and donor proposals (e.g. GEF, GCF, bilateral funding). • Coordinate internal reviews and quality assurance processes for technical deliverables. Events and Visibility • Plan and coordinate international events, webinars, and side-events alongside UNEP India Cooling team communications expert • prepare speaker briefs and session logistics, non-technical review of speaking points for clarity • Liaise with the communications team to maintain a pipeline of content for UNEP’s cooling webpages and partner platforms.

Qualifications/special skills

University degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in environmental studies, public policy, business administration, international development, engineering, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, ideally in an international, environmental, or development context is required. Demonstrated experience supporting large, multi-stakeholder programmes involving government, UN entities, donors, and technical partners. Proven track record in project planning and coordination, including use of MS Project, MS Teams Planner, or equivalent tools. Experience with contract management, donor reporting, and results-based monitoring frameworks is essential. Experience in managing digital workspaces and knowledge systems (e.g. SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams) across dispersed teams. Familiarity with UN administrative processes, procurement rules, and coordination structures is an asset but not mandatory. Experience working on climate change, sustainable energy, or cooling-related programmes is highly desirable but not mandatory. Demonstrated ability to coordinate across cultural and organisational boundaries, with excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing deadlines. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience in drafting high-quality correspondence, summaries, and inputs for reports or donor briefings. High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially MS Project, Planner, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and digital collaboration platforms. Self-starter with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset, able to work independently while supporting a team-based structure.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of Hindi is required. Knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.