Project Associate

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 the leading United Nations organization 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. As the lead UN development agency, UNDP is wellplaced to help implement the Goals through our work in some 170 countries and territories. We support countries in achieving the SDGs through integrated solutions. Today’s complex challenges—from stemming the spread of disease to preventing conflict—cannot be tackled neatly in isolation. For UNDP, this means focusing on systems, root causes and connections between challenges—not just thematic sectors—to build solutions that respond to people’s daily realities. UNDP has been on the ground in 2017, supporting the Government of Egypt and delivering to people the best solutions particularly the most vulnerable, women and youth. Since 2015, 195-member states of the United Nations, including the Government of Egypt, committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, an ambitious action plan that pictures a better world by 2030, with serious commitment from countries to meet the set targets. In terms of policy and partnership development, UNDP is establishing new partnerships with new partners and both local and global levels.

UNDP is also keen to strengthen already developed partnerships with different organizations and initiatives that support UNDP mandate.

In line with this mandate, the Inclusive Growth and Innovation Team is implementing a project supported by the Government of Japan that aims to strengthen youth-led green entrepreneurship by providing incubation, mentorship, access to finance and markets, and fostering Egypt–Japan cooperation in innovation and climate-smart economic development.

This assignment is part of UNDP Egypt’s Inclusive Growth and Innovation Team, which designs and implements programmes that foster entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and governance reform. The Project Associate will support the implementation of the Team’s portfolio, including the Government of Japan-funded initiative on youth-led green entrepreneurship, by providing programme and project support services, ensuring high-quality delivery, and contributing to innovation-driven solutions that strengthen resilience and empower communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision under the overall supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative, Inclusive Growth & Innovation Team Leader and the direct supervision of the Project Specialist, the Project Associate will:

Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation.  

• Support formulation and implementation of programme strategies through the coordination and implementation of project activities related to youth entrepreneurship, green innovation, incubation, access to finance, and international partnership initiatives, ensuring effective engagement of beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Collect, analyze, and present information for baselines, milestones, and targets.
• Provide administrative and financial support for projects, including supporting the project management platform Quantum, budget revisions, and operational closure.
• Track programme performance indicators, prepare reports, and support audits.

Support partnerships and resource mobilization.

• Contribute to resource mobilization by reviewing donor agreements and managing contributions through facilitation the liaison and coordination with government entities, private sector partners, entrepreneurship ecosystem actors, academic institutions, development partners, and Japanese counterparts to strengthen partnerships and support project delivery.

Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project implementation. 

• Support implementation of the project monitoring system in alignment with its Monitoring and Evaluation framework to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback, and elaboration of high-quality progress reports.
• Contribute to project visibility, communications, and knowledge-management efforts through the documentation of events, preparation of success stories, lessons learned, communication materials, and dissemination of project achievements and best practices.

Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.

• Support knowledge building and sharing, including training, lessons learned, and contributions to digital knowledge platforms.
• Document best practices in entrepreneurship ecosystems, digital inclusion, and governance reform by Maintaining project databases and monitoring tools, track beneficiary participation and results indicators, and support the preparation of progress reports, donor updates, and project documentation.

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 Project Associate will be working under the overall supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative, Inclusive Growth & Innovation Team Leader and the direct supervision of the Project Specialist.

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results:                              LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:                          LEVEL1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:                         LEVEL1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:                           LEVEL1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:                  LEVEL1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:                        LEVEL1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:       LEVEL1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area            Name                Definition
Business Development	Knowledge Generation	Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or  responsive to a stated need.  Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop  new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts,  conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
Operations: Finance	Budget management	Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Business Direction & Strategy	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.
Business Direction & Strategy	Entrepreneurial Thinking	Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.
Business Management	Partnerships Management	Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Data	Data analysis	Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.
Business Management	Communication	Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education is required or a university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences, or ICT-related fields will be given due consideration but is not a requirement. 

Experience:

Minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with a university degree) of relevant experience in administrative or programme or project support experience.

Required skills:

• Proven experience in excellent drafting, formulation and reporting and producing and editing documents with accuracy and professionalism.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).  

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

• Experience in digitalization, entrepreneurship, or innovation programmes is highly desirable.
• Experience with UNDP or other international development organizations is an asset.
• Previous experience with financial management 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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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.