Background

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) has been an important element in Danish-Egyptian cooperation for 20 years. DEDI is a platform for dialogue, innovation and exchange between Denmark and Egypt. A new four-year phase of support to DEDI, financed under the Danish Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP), will start in 2025. The new phase is designed to address the challenges and opportunities of climate change, circular economy, green transition and youth innovation. DEDI’s focus will be on the following three components: i) Innovation in sustainable design by youth; ii) Green environmental literacy for youth; and iii) Youth dialogue on climate and security. DEDI will be hosted by UNDP Cairo, and Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) will be a key implementing partner. A range of Danish and Egyptian organizations and experts will be engaged as the backbone of DEDI’s dialogue and exchange activities in Egypt and Denmark.  According to the agreed governance set-up for DEDI, the Coordinator refers to the DEDI Co-chairs and Advisory Board on achievements and strategic decisions. On a day-to-day basis, the Technical Expert has the overall technical responsibility for managing the implementation of DEDI’s activities in close coordination with UNDP Cairo, and for Component 3 with CCCPA within the framework of the agreed project document and annual implementation plans. 

As the host institution and implementing partners for DEDI, UNDP Egypt plays a central role in facilitating the implementation of the initiative, ensuring alignment with broader development priorities and providing technical, operational and administrative support. Under the new phase of DEDI (2024-2028), UNDP is responsible for grant management, financial oversight, and technical guidance across all three components, with a specific implementation role in Components 1 and 2 in partnership with DEDI. UNDP’s involvement ensures that DEDI benefits from its extensive expertise in sustainable development, youth engagement, and climate action, as well as its established networks with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Furthermore, UNDP will support capacity-building efforts, monitoring, and reporting in line with its Results-Based Management (RBM) standards, ensuring that DEDI's activities contribute effectively to the Danish Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) and Egypt’s green transition agenda.

Scope of Work 

The Project Specialist for the DEDI Projects will cover the following: 

Ensure strategic management of the project and provide day-to-day technical, financial, and administrative support for the delivery of the Projects’ activities focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Act as deputy Technical Expert.
• Provide quality leadership in the overall coordination and management of the DEDI Project.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of action plans in order to identify and resolve issues on financial delivery towards the full and optimal utilization of project funds.
• Approves payments related to the work programme cleared by the Technical Expert and as described in the “Accounts and Procedures Manual for DEDI”. 
• Keeps an updated archive for each project of the program.
• Lead the identification of project issues, challenges and risks, and appropriate strategies, and direct and oversee implementation of these strategies.
• Supervise the preparation of progress monitoring reports (e.g. donor reports), activity designs, briefing papers, technical reports, situation updates, M&E documents, and other documentation as may be required in project implementation.
• Supervise and oversee planning and implementation workshops, needs assessments, consultations, planning sessions, and provide technical inputs as maybe necessary. 
• Review and approve communication assignments such as writing of articles, press releases, development of knowledge products and other related activities.
• Provides inputs for the reporting to the DEDI Advisory Board 
• Mentor and coach team members as they perform their duties
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisors.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the successful implementation of quality assurance of activities enlisted under the DEDI Project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Manage external partner involvement (in Egypt and Denmark) 
• Oversee the coordination of external partner involvement (in Egypt and Denmark)
• Manage national and international consultants under the supervision of the Technical Expert
• Maintain dialogue with external partners relevant to project implementation
• Engages with external partners in Denmark and Egypt relevant for DEDI’s work including civil society and governmental organizations

Oversee the successful implementation of all the components of the DEDI Project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Based on the approved work plan, review and endorse approval of suitable partnership agreements and project activity designs.
• Provide guidance and supervise the implementation of partnership agreement and project activities.
• Ensure compliance to physical and financial delivery deadlines by implementing remedial measures to address bottlenecks, if needed.
• As needed, consult with or obtain approval from the Project Board on major changes to the agreed upon work plan; and
• Spearhead the conduct of spot checking and quality assurance activities to ensure that implementation of activities is within the quality standards of UNDP and remain on track.
• Follows the development within the thematic focus areas of DEDI’s components in Egypt, Denmark and internationally.

Ensure adaptive delivery of the project by providing quality input and strategic advice focusing on achievement of the following results. 

• Foresee possible roadblocks, as well as opportunities, and be able to put forth and implement contingency measures.
• Oversee the interaction of the specialists, firms, NGOs, and personnel, and ensure that these collaborations contribute to the strategic goals of the project.
• Provide new and innovative ways of working to achieve the goals of the project in the most efficient and effective means possible; and 
• Ensure that deliverables of specialists and firms, NGOs, and partners contribute to the strategic goal of the project and provide timely and technically sound feedback.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of credible sources of information concerning project implementation and related issues.
• Identification and synthesis of best local and international practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project.
• Effective network with development partners and government both at national level and subnational level; and
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Performs other tasks as requested by the Technical Expert on an ad hoc basis.
• Provides independent input and analysis upon request by the Technical Expert on content, strategy, and operational methods. 

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

Competencies

Please refer to the competency framework site for the entire list of competencies and further explanations. 

Required Skills and Experience

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.

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