Mission and objectives
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a continuous spectrum of in-depth local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles) is widely recognized as the most authoritative, normative framework guiding efforts to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of business operations on human rights. Experts have described it as the single most important innovation in promoting sustainable business practices in the last 25 years – a role that is reinforced by its inclusion as one of the Means of Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).Context
The Peace Support Facility (PSF) is a Government of Ethiopia endorsed UNDP mechanism that supports stabilization and early recovery in conflict-affected areas of Tigray, Amhara, and Afar. It was established to help bridge the gap between humanitarian response and longer-term reconstruction by enabling local authorities to restore essential services, re-establish governance, and create the conditions for sustainable peace. Rather than acting as an implementing project, the PSF functions as a facilitator and learning platform. It strengthens national and regional systems, supports local administrations to plan and deliver integrated recovery interventions, and documents practical lessons that inform policy and programming. Its area-based, stabilization-first approach has proven effective in re-building trust, accelerating returns, and preventing renewed conflict. Through the Integrated Woreda Action Plan (iWAP) process, the PSF works with woreda administrations and communities to identify priorities and design short, sequenced packages of interventions that deliver visible results within 12–14 months. These typically include the rehabilitation of local governance and justice offices, health and education facilities, and water schemes; the re-activation of community peace and dialogue platforms; and support for income-generating activities—particularly for women, youth, and displaced households. The Facility’s focus on joint planning, technical accompaniment, and participatory monitoring ensures that recovery efforts are locally owned and aligned with regional and national frameworks. Since its establishment, the PSF has supported over twenty woredas, helping restore 248 government institutions, rehabilitate 65 water schemes, 64 schools, and 22 health facilities, and enable more than 11,000 people to restart income-generating activities. It has also provided psychosocial support to nearly 9,000 individuals and trained over 3,500 peace and justice actors. Several of the woredas and justice offices supported through the PSF have since received national awards for innovation and performance—recognition of a model that combines speed, quality, and local leadership. The Facility operates through the National Implementation Modality, under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and the Regional Recovery and Reconstruction Offices (RROs). These structures ensure government ownership and coordination across sectors, while the PSF provides technical support, quality assurance, and adaptive management tools, including a GIS-based monitoring system and micro-survey mechanisms. As Ethiopia’s only dedicated stabilization platform, the PSF demonstrates that targeted, well-sequenced investments can deliver measurable peace dividends. It strengthens the legitimacy of local institutions, promotes social cohesion, and enables displaced families to rebuild their lives. The next programme cycle will expand the Facility’s reach to new woredas and consolidate its role as a trusted mechanism for government-led stabilization and learning. Geographic Focus: Afar, Amhara and Tigray (Northern Ethiopia).Task Description
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Knowledge sharing • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management • Working in teamsLiving conditions and remarks
Addis Ababa is the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The population is estimated at about 4 million or so. Addis Ababa located in the Ethiopian highlands at an altitude of 2,500-2,700 meters. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold at night, with freezing temperature at times. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and/or log fires when necessary. Addis Ababa is the headquarters for the UN Economic Commission for Africa as well as the African Union (ex-OAU). Thus, there is a very large community of expatriates from all over the world. There are some 80 embassies/diplomatic missions. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”