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.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The Joint SDG Fund supports countries as they accelerate their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It operates through joint programmes (JPs) that provide the mechanism for transformative solutions implemented by governments and national stakeholders and supported by the UN Country Team led by Resident Coordinators (RCs). Strategic direction for the Fund is provided by the Strategic Advisory Group chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General as the chair of UN Sustainable Development Group. The Fund is managed by the Operational Steering Committee, comprised of representatives of UN entities, and with the support from the Secretariat of the Fund. The UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) hosts the Fund and provides for the alignment with the broader UN Development System reforms. The Administrative Agent of the Fund, in charge of financial management, is the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF-O). Official documents (e.g. Terms of Reference and Operational Guidance) of the Fund and information on funding can be found on the Gateway portal.

To advance the dual mandate of supercharging the UN Development System reform to be fit for purpose and, in turn, supporting the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Fund incentivizes coherent and coordinated join UN action, anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks at country level under the leadership of Resident Coordinator (RC). Serving as the catalytic funding to piece together emerging policy priorities and financing strategies, the Fund aims to galvanize the UN Country Teams around integrated policies and identify the fiscal space to overcome the political and financial hurdles to scale and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

The Joint SDG Fund adopts a portfolio approach focused on the key SDG transitions of digital, food systems, social protection & jobs, energy, education and climate action to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, the Secretariat team is expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Within this framework, the Programme Specialist will support the coordination of thematic priorities and SDG transitions and their coherent integration into the broader programmatic approach of the Fund whilst identifying and promoting policy innovation and systems change, focusing on the most vulnerable and improving the coherence of UN Country Teams. The programme specialist will also support the Fund’s learning and knowledge management processes, and liaise with other global, regional and country partners in strengthening alignment with human rights, gender equality and the broader Leave No One Behind principles.

Scope of Work 

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader, Impact and Efficiency and in close collaboration with the Secretariat’s Programme and Partnerships teams, the Programme Specialist will contribute to the effective management of the Fund’s portfolio as follows:

1)  Strategic and Quality Joint Programme Support: emphasis on SDG Localization and SDG Financing

• Facilitate portfolio-level support and monitoring, capturing and disseminating cutting-edge lessons, of joint programmes focused on SDG localisation and catalytic investments.
• Facilitate effective application of results-based management tools, programmatic risk management, identifying key opportunities and tracking and reporting on the achievement of programmatic results and impact in alignment with broader priorities of the UN system.
• Support partnerships and effective use of technical assistance and expertise from across the UN system and external partners at global, regional and country levels in the design, implementation and reporting of joint programming focusing on SDG Localization and innovative financing solutions (including through the Local2030 Coalition, DCO, OECD, UCLG).
• Support the establishment of SDG Localization as a cornerstone of UN Joint Programming including the aggregation of results and reporting on solutions focused on territorial sustainable development in conjunction with the application of the SDG Localization Marker and adoption of the Bilbao Blueprint.
• Contribute to developing and maintaining coherence within and across portfolios and thematic priorities to ensure the alignment of joint programmes with the Fund’s overall strategic objectives and programmatic standards. This includes supporting the development of guidance for joint programmes on their contribution to UN Development System Reform and SDG acceleration and improving coherence in broader inter-agency and multi-stakeholder engagements.  Support training on necessary design, monitoring, reporting and evaluation policies, procedures and templates utilized by the Joint SDG Fund. 
• Advance the maturation of seed funding joint programmes into high-impact ones, specifically regarding SDG localization and catalytic investments, by supporting the (a) identification of strategic entry points for scalability of impact on beneficiaries and financing, (b) technical criteria for maturation, and (c) pooling of expertise and technical support for the design of transformative solutions.
• Support the smooth closure and sustainability of closing joint programmes guaranteeing long-term impact and financial resilience.
• Facilitate rigorous evaluations and mid-term reviews that generate actionable insights, enhance adaptive programming, and strengthen investment strategies.

2) Lead coordination of partnerships, learning and knowledge management.

• Support the preparation, organization, and facilitation of strategic design workshops, peer learning sessions, and high-level advocacy conferences with Local2030, the Basque Government, and other key stakeholders, ensuring these events foster innovation, shared learning, and actionable outcomes for SDG localization.
• Strengthen inter-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement to support joint programmes focused on SDG localization and catalytic investments, building effective collaborations across the UN system and with external partners.
• Facilitate the identification and management of partnership frameworks that leverage comparative advantages, promote programmatic synergies and align funding mechanisms and development initiatives for greater impact.
• Contribute to the production of strategic analyses, briefs, and updates to support strategic communications with donors, partners and other relevant stakeholders enhancing visibility and influence of the Fund’s work.
• Facilitate the Fund’s partnerships and advocacy efforts by supporting the organization and participation in global conferences events, raising the profile of joint programmes results and attracting new resources and collaborators with a focus on impact investing.
• Support knowledge management and sharing across UN country teams on innovative financing and SDG Localization solutions including through development of knowledge platform/dashboards and products but also organizing communities of practice, trainings, webinars and other events, as relevant.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Institutional Arrangement

• The Programme Specialist (Home-based) will report directly to the Team Leader, Impact and Efficiency at the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat. The Secretariat of the 
• Joint SDG Fund is hosted within the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office, New York, USA.

Competencies                                    

Cross-functional and technical

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements  

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy or related Environmental and/or Social Sciences is required. Or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the abovementioned fields combined with additional two years of qualifying 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) or 7 years (with a bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible experience in portfolio or programme management within the UN system or other international organizations is required.

Required skills                                    

• Proven capacity in supporting design and implementation of UN joint programmes at country, regional and/or global level is required. 
• Track record of partnerships with UN entities, donors and other development partners involved in integrated policy and SDG financing is required.
• Experience working with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its implementation at the local level is required.
• Experience in developing, maintaining, strengthening partnerships and coordinating networks of partners is required.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to synthesize information, including to monitor, extract, analyse and visualize data (using excel or other tools, as well as AI) to programmatic progress updates, briefs, and reports is required.

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

• At least 2 years of experience supporting SDG Localization efforts and programme formulation/implementation. 
• Experience or familiarity with the UN System, particularly in the context of inter-agency collaboration.
• Demonstrated portfolio or programme management experiences in the context of developing countries or emerging.

Required Language(s)              

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Spanish is an asset. 
• Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

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

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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