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
The impacts of climate change—rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events such as heat stress, floods, and droughts—are straining Somalia’s urban systems. These challenges are often linked to inadequate adaptation strategies and the lack of climate-resilient planning across institutions, policies, infrastructure, innovation, and services. More than three decades of conflict have fractured Somalia, weakened its institutions, deepened poverty, and heightened vulnerability. Combined with climate-related disasters in urban areas, this has undermined investment in critical sectors such as water, infrastructure, and agriculture, further worsening poverty and human insecurity.
This project will build on lessons learned from previous LDCF and GCF initiatives on Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Somalia, adopting an integrated approach that incorporates innovative and adaptive practices to deliver sustainable outcomes. It aims to strengthen government and institutional capacities in urban adaptation planning and programming by expanding knowledge transfer and reinforcing policy frameworks to mainstream Nature-based Solutions (NbS); enhance urban climate resilience to floods through improved NbS adoption and management; leverage sustainable finance through private sector investments; and create space for information and knowledge management and dissemination to facilitate information exchange and scaling up.
Duties and Responsibilities
Project Management and Implementation
- Manage overall project performance, including planning, coordination, and delivery of all components.
- Oversee NbS design and implementation, ensuring quality assurance of flood resilience infrastructure.
- Coordinate green economy financing mechanisms and private sector engagement.
- Manage urban climate risk assessments and ensure alignment with project objectives.
- Prepare and submit project revisions and amendments for Project Board review and UNDP approval in line with UNDP-GEF procedures.
- Monitor compliance with project governance, donor requirements, and organisational standards
- Develop and update the project sustainability and exit strategy.
- Coordinate with government and municipal stakeholders on budget allocation for NbS maintenance post-project.
- Integrate sustainability indicators into the project results framework and report progress
Operations, Procurement, and Contract Management
- Manage personnel, goods and services procurement, and operational project activities in line with UNDP rules and procedures.
- Prepare Terms of Reference (TORs) and technical work specifications.
- Organise and coordinate training and capacity development activities.
- Supervise contractors and service providers to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and quality standards.
Financial Management and Audit Compliance
- Manage requests for UNDP financial resources through FACE forms (advances, direct payments, reimbursements).
- Prepare and submit quarterly financial reports to UNDP.
- Maintain financial records, procurement documentation, and contractor files in audit-ready condition.
- Facilitate UNDP spot checks and audits.
- Implement audit recommendations within agreed timelines and report progress to the Portfolio Manager.
- Track mobilisation and disbursement of co-financing and report risks to the Project Board and UNDP Country Office.
Planning, Monitoring, Reporting, and Adaptive Management
- Monitor project implementation against the project monitoring plan and update it as required.
- Track progress, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions within agreed tolerances.
- Prepare regular progress reports to the Project Board, including mitigation measures for risks and challenges.
- Develop and revise multi-year, annual, and quarterly work plans.
- Prepare and submit the Project Inception Report within the required timeframe.
- Capture lessons learned to inform adaptive management.
Results Measurement, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Establish indicator baselines and data collection protocols at project inception.
- Monitor and report on project indicators, including GEF Core Indicators.
- Prepare and submit Project Implementation Review (PIR) narratives and supporting documentation.
- Document co-financing mobilisation and disbursement as per donor requirements.
- Support Mid-Term Review and Terminal Evaluation processes through data and evidence provision.
Risk Management, Safeguards, and Accountability
- Identify, assess, and manage project risks, including environmental and social risks.
- Maintain and update the project risk log and escalate new risks to the Project Board.
- Operationalise and monitor safeguards instruments, including the Gender Action Plan (GAP), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
- Ensure compliance with UNDP Social and Environmental Standards (SES).
- Operate a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), including confidential management of GBV-related grievances and referrals.
- Report on safeguards and GRM performance in Project Implementation Reviews (PIRs).
Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy
- Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
- Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
- Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues.
- Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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 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 including government, civil society, and private sector
- Results-Based Management Manage implementation of strategies and projects focussed on improved performance and demonstrable results.
- Risk Management Identify and organize proactive mitigation of risks across project spectrum.
Business Direction & Strategy
- Negotiation and Influence Reach agreements, resolve differences through dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions.
2030 Agenda: Partnerships
- Private Sector Engagement Develop and manage partnerships that leverage private sector expertise and resources aligned with UNDP strategy.
2030 Agenda: People
- Gender Mainstreaming Ability to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations into project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting, including the use of gender analysis and sex-disaggregated data.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA Min. Education requirements
- Advanced University degree(Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Urban Planning & Design; Climate & Environmental Resilience; Social science; Project & Programme Management, Geography, Natural Resource Management, or related field is required. OR
- A First-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combinaison with an additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience
- A minimum of 5 years ( with a Master's degree), 7 years (with a Bachelor's degree) of experience managing large-scale Urban Planning & Design projects and program management is required.
Required skills
- Proven experience in leadership, team management, and donor relations is required
- Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder coordination abilities are required
- Experience with UNDP/GEF procedures is required
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Experience in project management, preferably within the environment, climate change, or related development sectors, is desirable
- Experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and diverse funding sources is desirable.
- Strong financial and procurement management capabilities are desirable
- Proven Familiarity with UNDP policies, procedures, and tools, including FACE financial instruments, is desirable
- Proven Knowledge of Nature-based Solutions, climate resilience, sustainable development, and green economy financing is desirable.
Required Language(s)
- Proficiency in English and the Somali language is required
Professional Certificates
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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.
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