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

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org

The Strengthening Papua New Guinea Civil Society Organizations (PNG CSOs Project) is part of the projects in the Country Office’s Governance, Peace and Gender Portfolio. The project aims to support strengthening the capacities of the PNG CSOs to serve credible governance actors and deepen their engagement in domestic public policy cycle, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Specifically, the project will build the capacities of CSOs to operate as agents for inclusive sustainable development in PNG focusing on their internal control systems, operational and technical skills,  enhancing their skills to access grants for sustainable development initiatives,  strengthen their role in relation to advocacy, public sector reforms and public accountability, and improve networking and coordination to expand the space for national and grassroots CSOs to play a more influential, meaningful and active role in articulating with a collective voice citizens’ concerns in the public area including engaging in initiatives to further participatory democracy.

The Project is relevant for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – in particular SDG 16 (Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) but also promotes progress towards Goals 5, 6, 10 and 13. The Project is aligned with PNG’s development agenda, as described by the Medium-Term Development Plan IV. (2023 – 2027), the PNG UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024 – 2028), and the European Union Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Papua New Guinea (PNG) 2021 2027, particularly its 3 priority areas Transparent and Accountable Governance, Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
 

Duties and Responsibilities

• The incumbent will be based in the UNDP Country Office in Port Moresby and will report to the Chief Technical Adviser (Anti-Corruption).
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• The incumbent will be provided with a workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and access to reliable internet connection.
   

The National Project Officer, under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser (Anti-Corruption), will support the day-to-day management of the PNG CSOs Project. This includes ensuring that all planned activities are implemented efficiently to ensure alignment with project objectives and outcomes through:

Project planning, coordination, and implementation focusing on achievement of the following results with the project team:

• Provide strategic planning for the project as well as formulation and periodic revisions of the project’s annual work plan (AWP), including plans for budget, Human Resources (HR) and procurement that are developed in close coordination with UNDP’s Country Office Programme, HR, and Procurement teams. Coordinate development of detailed implementation plans. 
• Coordinate project implementation to contribute to the overall project relevance and performance, the effective realization and quality of outputs within the specified constraints of time and cost as outlined in the project document, and adherence to applicable UNDP policy and programme management procedures and Government standards, rules, and regulations.
• Ensure proper execution of all administrative activities associated with project implementation, including mobilizing goods and services, preparing ToRs, completing contracting processes, recruiting/selecting consultants and experts, and managing financial arrangements/transactions and their correct authorization.
• Update and ensure the implementation of activity plans, track tasks, deadlines and dependencies, flag delays and propose remedial actions to ensure timely delivery.
  •     Facilitate coordination and information flow among CSOs grantees by maintaining controllable document repository and ensuring timely dissemination of relevant documents.
• Monitor resource utilization and procurement plan for planned activities, raise requests for approvals in a timely manner.

Develop strategic partnerships through effective design and management of CSOs low value grants (LVGs) focusing on achievement of the following results with the project team:

• Design, roll‑out and administration of the CSOs LVGs in line with UNDP and donor policies and procedures through drafting ToRs for Call for proposal which includes application guidelines and template, eligibility and selection criteria.
• Organize and facilitate pre‑LVGs application information sessions (online and/or in‑person) for prospective CSOs applicants, prepare materials such as FAQs, guidance notes and provide technical clarifications during the session.
• Draft LVG agreements for selected CSO grantees to include milestones, reporting and compliance clauses, coordinate legal/finance review.
• Organize and facilitate CSOs grantees inception meeting to ensure understanding of LVGs’ objectives, roles, responsibilities, reporting requirements, and compliance expectations to foster effective communication and grants implementation and communication of results. 
• Provide technical advisory support to the CSO grantees, other stakeholders and partners and act as a liaison between UNDP / project and the partners. 
• Monitor LVGs implementation in accordance with UNDP’s grants management policies and procedures by reviewing payment requests, tracking expenditures against approved budgets, ensure timely results-reporting from grantees, conduct regular progress and compliance reviews, and maintain accurate grant records to support audits and result-report requirements.

Ensure effective monitoring and results reporting focusing on achievement of the following results with the project team:

• Provide technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of detailed results framework. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting. 
• Coordinate the implementation of project monitoring, and results framework to identify plan deviations and other problems; and make needed course corrections within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP management. 
• Manage and monitor project risks, including social and environmental risks, initially identified and submit new risks to appropriate project governing bodies for consideration and decision on possible actions. 
•  Coordinate the preparation of corporate and donor reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant entities. 
•  Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.

Design and delivery of CSOs capacity building trainings and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results with the project team:

• Coordinate the CSO mapping exercise to identify and profile national and grassroots CSOs based on thematic focus, geographic reach, and strengths and weaknesses to inform targeting, partnership strategies and capacity‑building plans, and maintain CSO database. 
•  Lead the delivery of CSO grantees’ tailored capacity building trainings and knowledge sharing sessions on grant proposal writing and financial management, internal controls, results-based reporting, and follow up to ensure uptake of improved practices. 
• Design pre- and post-training/consultation evaluation forms for participants, administer and analyze responses, and prepare workshop / consultation summary reports that highlight participant feedback and recommend follow-up actions
• Collaborate with the Country Office’s Communications Team to support advocacy and communications activities to amplify grantee results and lessons learned through drafting draft success stories, support social media and website contents, and coordinate events that showcase grantees’ impact to national stakeholders, UNDP, and donor.
•  Coordinate CSO grantees’ coordination meetings, communities of practice and feedback loops to foster peer learning, collaboration and sustained linkages among grantees and project. 
• Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.

Ensure effective risks management, compliance and quality assurance focusing on achievement of the following results with the project team:

• Maintain and regularly update the project risk register by identifying new risks, assessing their potential impact, and implementing mitigation measures to manage them effectively.
• Collaborate with CSO grantees to ensure adherence to UNDP, donor, and national safeguards, policies, and standards by providing policy guidance, requiring compliance certifications, and verifying adherence during reviews and site visits.
• Ensure the project’s corporate dashboards, including project quality and risk status, are regularly updated with accurate data and analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Conduct periodic spot checks to verify the accuracy of documented compliance, assess the on-ground implementation of safeguarding policies, and identify any risks or quality lapses requiring immediate intervention.
• Facilitate regular training and capacity-building sessions for CSO grantees on risk management, compliance requirements, and quality assurance standards to strengthen the project’s risk mitigation efforts.

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: 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 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 Development    

• Collective Intelligence Design. Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions or services. 
  Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and 
  practices.

Business Management    

• Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Risk Management. Identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Partnership Management    

• Resource Mobilization. Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
• Multi-stakeholder Engagement and funding. Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
• Strategic Engagement. Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required, or
•  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 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in project management, CSO grants’ design and management and capacity building.

Required skills:

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience with PNG’s CSOs landscape and governance issues 
• Experience in coordination, communication, and report-writing.
• Experience in preparation of financial reports and overviews.
•  Experience in monitoring tools. 
• Experience in project management processes. 
• Experience in procurement procedures of national / international organizations.

Required Language(s):

•  Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required.

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.

Scam alert

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