Project and Event Specialist – P3

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.

United Nations Volunteers (UNV) is a global programme and shared service for the UN system hosted and administered by UNDP. UNV provides volunteer solutions to UN entities across development, humanitarian, peace and security pillars and provides volunteer advisory services to UN Member States and, on their request, carries out relevant intergovernmental mandates. The Administrator of UNDP is also the Administrator of UNV and delegates strategic management of UNV to is Executive Coordinator.

The External Relations and Communications Section builds and nurtures corporate donor relations, strategically leads the donor resource mobilization platform and conducts coherent communications efforts to highlight the value of volunteerism for peace and development and the contributions of UNV and UN Volunteers. Since September 2024, ERCS hosts the Secretariat for the International Volunteer Year.

In December 2023, through its Resolution A/RES/78/127, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development and invited UNV, in cooperation with Governments and relevant organizations of the UN system, to facilitate the implementation of the International Year (hereafter referred to as IVY 2026).

Subsequently, the IVY 2026 Secretariat was established to be responsible for preparing and delivering the work plan for IVY 2026. Reporting to the Team Leader for IVY 2026, the Project and Event Specialist supports the preparation and implementation of IVY 2026, including the organization of the key events.

UNV adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNV personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Facilitate the planning and implementation of IVY 2026 

• Support the conceptualization of IVY 2026 and the development and implementation of an IVY 2026 action plan that supports Member States, UN system organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia and other relevant stakeholders in their observance of IVY 2026;
• Provide technical advice, working in collaboration with the IVY 2026 Team Leader, in planning and effectively implementing IVY 2026 activities within the scope of approved budgets and workplans and in alignment with IVY 2026 priorities and goals;
• Conduct a stakeholder mapping, build relationships with partners as necessary and establish relevant working and/or advisory groups for IVY 2026, in collaboration with UNV’s External Relations and Communications Section, Executive Office, New York Office, Regional Offices and the Volunteer Advisory Services Section;
• Map IVY 2026 events planned by other stakeholders to create synergies that help to jointly promote the IVY and its main goal of promoting the importance of volunteers for sustainable development;
• Provide timely and quality technical advice and guidance for the project implementation in line with UNDP’s rules and regulations;
• Manage and monitor project financial resources; and analyze project progress to identify risks, gaps and other implementation problems and activate corrective measures in coordination with the Team Leader and relevant team members.

2. Act as Technical Focal Point for IVY 2026 External and Internal Partners

• Facilitate the participatory roll-out of IVY 2026 through regular outreach and stakeholder engagement activities, including by organizing thematic dialogues and webinars and participating in relevant international, regional or national events;
• Ensure timely response to external requests on IVY 2026 by members of the working and/or advisory groups and other relevant stakeholders;
• Facilitate internal consultations with UNV staff and UN Volunteers to ensure ownership of and identification with IVY 2026;
• Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing, including by coordinating and supporting the development of outreach tools for UNV staff and UN Volunteers in the field, together with the IVY 2026 Communications Specialist, to engage them as IVY 2026 advocates within their networks.
• Develop a list of relevant volunteer research to be conducted during IVY 2026 and identify relevant stakeholders to work on the corresponding publications, in coordination with the Volunteer Advisory Services Section.

3) Prepare the IVY 2026 Key Events

• Plan the international calendar for IVY 2026 with a focus on events facilitated by UNV;
• Lead the planning and execution of the IVY 2026 key events, which will likely include an opening, a mid-year and a closing-event, with the help of the other members of the IVY 2026 Secretariat;
• Proactively collaborate with and engage UN Member States, UN partners and UNV’s relevant business units to identify invitees and speakers for the opening, mid-year and closing events of IVY 2026;
• Ensure communication on and documentation of IVY 2026 key events, with the support of the IVY 2026 Communications Specialist.

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

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

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

Relationship management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Project Management

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

Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight

Negotiation and Influence

• Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations

Public relations

• Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public

Systems 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

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of Human/Community Development, International Development, International Relations, Business Management or a related topic.
• First-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned 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 of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in project development and management and support to the coordination of advocacy initiatives at the international level is required.
• Experience with event management and stakeholder coordination is required.
• Experience in supporting the organization of large-scale events for the United Nations is highly desirable.
• Experience with an international or regional volunteer association and knowledge of volunteerism for peace and development with its diverse manifestations and cultural settings highly desirable.
• Experience in a multicultural working environment is desired.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet is required; familiarity with database management is desired.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language highly desirable

 

Disclaimer

• Only short-listed applicants will be contacted;
• The successful candidate will hold a UNDP letter of appointment.

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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