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

Djibouti is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its geographical location and arid climate. The country is increasingly experiencing extreme climate events, such as sudden floods that mainly affect urban areas—especially the capital—causing severe disruptions to infrastructure and basic services. At the same time, rural regions face a persistent water crisis, where water scarcity affects agricultural activities, livestock, and the quality of life of communities. The depletion of water resources, exacerbated by prolonged droughts, places additional pressure on the rural economy and worsens food insecurity.

These escalating climate challenges directly impact the population’s livelihoods and highlight the urgent need to strengthen the country’s resilience to these threats. It is in this context that Djibouti is engaging in actions aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting more effectively to them, particularly through initiatives supported by international partners.

In response to these challenges, and complementing ongoing projects, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) of Djibouti, has developed a significant pipeline of projects focused on climate resilience and environmental sustainability. Among these initiatives are a USD 3 million project to support the reforestation of Day Forest, a USD 23 million project recently mobilized from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a USD 3 million NAP project, and an additional USD 33 million project currently under submission to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

With the expected increase in the volume of financial operations related to these projects, UNDP Djibouti needs to strengthen its team by recruiting a Financial Assistant Consultant. This position will help facilitate and streamline the management of financial operations, thereby ensuring the effective implementation of projects aimed at enhancing the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Assistant will contribute to the financial management and administrative aspects of the Environment and Climate Change Unit. Under the direct supervision of the Environment and Climate Change Unit Programme Specialist, the Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following:


Financial Management and Monitoring

•    Ensure daily follow-up of payments for projects under the Environment and Climate Change Unit.
•    Prepare and send weekly payment tracking reports.
•    Monitor the internal payment process and flag any delays.
•    Propose solutions for improved payment management and monitoring.
•    Initiate Requisitions/Receipt in Quantum
•    Support financial clearance of field missions (DSA, advances, reconciliation).
•    Enter purchase and requisition plans into the Quantum system
•    Assist in preparing financial sections of procurement files (RFQs, RFPs, IC contracts)

Compliance and Control

•    Verify supporting documents attached to payments prior to signature, in accordance with UNDP financial procedures and policies, and in compliance with the SOP agreed between UNDP and MEDD.
•    Contribute to financial audits and prepare necessary documentation as required.
•    Monitor contract closure compliance for all projects.

Budget Support

•    Assist in the preparation and revision of project budgets.
•    Monitor budget revisions, ensuring that all budget changes are properly documented and approved.

Coordination and Communication

•    Collaborate with MEDD project teams, particularly financial assistants, to coordinate financial aspects and promptly communicate any missing information.
•    Ensure effective communication with the financial assistants of MEDD projects and the UNDP Operation Team.
•    Regularly share approved project financial statements with MEDD teams.

Administrative and Logistical Tasks

•    Ensure physical and electronic filing and archiving of financial and administrative documents within the Environment Unit, ensuring they are organized and accessible.

•    Support the creation of vendor profiles for goods and service providers.
•    Prepare and organize logistics for workshops and meetings, including room bookings, material preparation, required documents, and coordination with participants.
•    Support the preparation of mission orders for field missions and concept notes for workshopsEnsure comprehensive follow-up of the payment process related to the logistics for the travel of Ministry of Environment officials.
•    Draft minutes and notes when needed.
•    Retrieve and follow up on the registration of incoming correspondence to avoid delays in the payment process.
•    Monitor logistical and support needs during events to ensure their smooth execution.

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 incumbent will be based in the UNDP Djibouti office;
•    The incumbent will have reporting line to the CO Environment and Climate Change Programme Specialist ;
•    The incumbent will work closely with Environment and Climate Change team within Djibouti CO and the Operation Team
 

Competencies

Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core
Achieve Results

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, paysattention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makesimprovements
Learn Continuously

LEVEL 1: Open mindedand curious, sharesknowledge, learns from mistakes, asksfor feedback
Adapt withAgility

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination

LEVEL 1: Shows driveand motivation, ableto deliver calmlyin face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towardsothers, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Management  Working with Evidence and Data
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making
Business Management  Digital Awareness and Literacy
  • Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed
Business Management  Customer Satisfaction/Client Management 
  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management  Communication
  • Ability to 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. 
Business Management  Monitoring
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
Technical - Finance  Budget management
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
Administration & Operations Event Management
  • Support projects with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Experience

Min. Education requirements    

  •  Secondary education is required, OR
  •  A university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in finance,Administration or relevant related field will be given due consideration but not a requirement.

Min. years of relevant work experience   

 •    Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in projects Finance and Admin is
required
 

Experience, Knowledge and skills   

  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages is required.

Desirable criteria  

  • Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO is a very advantage,
  • Previous experience working with the UN, particularly with UNDP is desirable
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet.
     

Required Language(s)    

  • Fluency in French required
  • Knowledge of other UN language is an advantage
     

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.

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