Project Officer - Environmental Challenges and Climate Change

Cairo

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Cairo
Grade: Junior level - NPSA-9, National Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Meteorology, Geology and Geography
- Climate Change
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: 2025-08-04

Office /Unit/Project Description

The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) has been an important element in Danish-Egyptian cooperation for 20 years. DEDI is a platform for dialogue, innovation and exchange between Denmark and Egypt. A new four-year phase of support to DEDI, financed under the Danish Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP), will start in 2025. The new phase is designed to address the challenges and opportunities of climate change, circular economy, green transition and youth innovation. DEDI’s focus will be on the following three components: i) Innovation in sustainable design by youth; ii) Green environmental literacy for youth; and iii) Youth dialogue on climate and security. DEDI will be hosted by UNDP Cairo, and Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) will be a key implementing partner. A range of Danish and Egyptian organizations and experts will be engaged as the backbone of DEDI’s dialogue and exchange activities in Egypt and Denmark. According to the agreed governance set-up for DEDI, the Coordinator refers to the DEDI Co-chairs and Advisory Board on achievements and strategic decisions. On a day-to-day basis, the Technical Expert has the overall technical responsibility for managing the implementation of DEDI’s activities in close coordination with UNDP Cairo, and for Component 3 with CCCPA within the framework of the agreed project document and annual implementation plans.

As the host institution and implementing partners for DEDI, UNDP Egypt plays a central role in facilitating the implementation of the initiative, ensuring alignment with broader development priorities and providing technical, operational and administrative support. Under the new phase of DEDI (2024-2028), UNDP is responsible for grant management, financial oversight, and technical guidance across all three components, with a specific implementation role in Components 1 and 2 in partnership with DEDI. UNDP’s involvement ensures that DEDI benefits from its extensive expertise in sustainable development, youth engagement, and climate action, as well as its established networks with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Furthermore, UNDP will support capacity-building efforts, monitoring, and reporting in line with its Results-Based Management (RBM) standards, ensuring that DEDI's activities contribute effectively to the Danish Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) and Egypt’s green transition agenda.

Scope of Work

The project officer is expected to perform the following specific tasks;

1.Project Management and Technical Assistance

Coordinate the implementation of project activities, on both organizational and substantive matters– ensuring that budgeting, planning, and general monitoring of the projects are done per the Project and Annual work plan;
Provide assistance in procurement processes under the UNDP procedures and assure timely involvement of local and international experts, organization of training, etc.;
Assist the Technical Expert in preparing draft memos, briefs, and relevant materials;
Assist in organizing stakeholder meetings.
Perform other duties as requested by the Technical Expert and the Project Specialist.

2.Monitoring and reporting

Support the preparation of Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plans;
Lead in drafting Project reports, progress reports, etc.
Risk assessment of individual project activities (risk tolerances) and implementation of risk management
Keeps the project archive updated.
Support project audit and evaluation activities.

3.Networking with partners and beneficiaries.

Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project partners, and other stakeholders.
Assist in the coordination and organization of meetings, training sessions and public events.
Prepare official correspondence related to the project implementation.
Ensure inclusive engagement of stakeholders, including private sector, SMEs and women representatives.
Assists the Coordinator and Senior Project Officer in representing DEDI in external meetings and seminars

4.Knowledge management

Identify, collect and analyze policy-related, relevant information and data to inform Monitoring and Evaluation process.
Codify and provide best practices and lessons learned, particularly linked to the areas of capacity development and national (economic, social, and human) development.
Identify and support transfer of knowledge and practice regarding the DEDI project.
Support activities related to Sensitization and Capacity building of stakeholders in close collaboration with national counterparts in Egypt.
Facilitate team’s learning and knowledge sharing
Cooperates with the DEDI Communication Officer on individual media products

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Officer will report to UNDP and the Technical Expert. Under the day-to-day guidance of the DEDI Technical Expert and the DEDI Project Specialist, the DEDI Project Officer will oversee and manage the implementation of the environmental challenges and climate change component.

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
	Thematic Area	Name	Definition
	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
	Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
	Business Management	Partnerships Management	Ability to build and maintain partnerships with the networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
	Business Direction and Strategy	Entrepreneurial Thinking	Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate
	Business Development	Collective Intelligence Design	Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements	Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) degree in development studies, social sciences, business administration or any other relevant field. OR First level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above mentionned field in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Advanced University degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience	Minimum 2 years with Advanced University degree or 4 years with Bachelor’s degree of relevant work experience in a field of project implementation, preferably in international/multilateral development context;
Required skills	Experience in partnership building at the international, national, regional, and local levels. Strong skills in coordination, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, logistics and finances. Experience in training, youth capacity building, and entrepreneurship. Good communication skills are a must. Ability to work in teams is a must.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Hands-on experience with start-ups and entrepreneurship ecosystem is an advantage. Good knowledge of project management tools is an advantage. Familiarity with the Danish and Egyptian climate and environment ecosystem and working experience with Danish and Egyptian partners will be an asset.
Required Language(s)	Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.

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.

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