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
Zimbabwe continues to face recurrent climatic, economic, environmental and social shocks that undermine development gains and disproportionately affect vulnerable rural communities. In response, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe and with financial support from the Government of Ireland, launched the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund Phase II (ZRBF2). Building on the achievements and lessons from Phase I, ZRBF2 aims to strengthen community resilience through improved natural resource management, climate action, enhanced food and nutrition security, and reduced disaster risk for at-risk populations.
ZRBF2 is implemented under the leadership of UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MoLAFWRD), with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) providing technical support on natural resources management and agriculture. The programme is structured around four outcome areas:
Outcome 1: Evidence generation and capacity building for institutions, systems and communities to promote stewardship of sustainable natural resources management and resilient livelihood options.
Outcome 2: Improved natural resources management, utilization and environmental protection to promote sustainable food systems within functioning ecosystems.
Outcome 3: Enhanced and diversified livelihood options to foster inclusive rural economic growth for at-risk communities.
Outcome 4: Strengthened climate and disaster risk governance to protect development gains through early warning and early action mechanisms.
To ensure effective management, coordination, learning, donor engagement, reporting and quality assurance for ZRBF 2, UNDP hosts a Project Management Unit (PMU). To further strengthen operational delivery and coherence across the partnership ecosystem, ZRBF2 seeks to recruit a Project Support Specialist. The position will provide cross-cutting implementation support, promote synergies across partners and stakeholders, and support timely and coordinated execution of programme activities by partners. Under the direct supervision of the ZRBF Project Coordinator, the Project Support Specialist will support partner synergies and strengthen collaboration among partners, technical follow-up, reporting and quality assurance across workplans and joint activities, ensuring coherence, avoiding duplication and enhancing the overall quality of programme delivery. The incumbent will work closely with the other members of the PMU to deliver the project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure planning processes, & Implementation follow-up with partners
• Ensure implementing partners in the development and review of annual and quarterly workplans for quality assurance and coherence with project design, budgets and donor agreements under the guidance of the Coordinator.
• Support the Coordinator in the roll-out of approved workplans and facilitate adherence to agreed timelines and processes.
• Monitor follow-up on technical, operational, and reporting commitments by partners, flagging delays, bottlenecks and proposing mitigation measures.
• Contribute to tracking of programme milestones, deliverables, contractual obligations, and performance indicators.
• Actively support preparation of consolidated implementation updates for internal and external consumption.
Actively support in strengthening synergies, collaboration & stakeholder engagement.
• Support the Coordinator in promoting coherence between grants, capacity development, evidence generation and risk financing workstreams within ZRBF 2.
• Support harmonization and alignment of field activities across partners to avoid duplication and leverage complementarities under the guidance of the Coordinator.
• Provide logistical and technical support to joint work planning and collaboration among ZRBF implementing partners, government institutions, UN agencies and development partners.
• Identify opportunities for cross-project synergies, shared resources, joint activities and learning exchanges.
• Support effective engagement with coordination platforms, technical working groups and national resilience mechanisms (e.g. National Resilience Platform).
• Maintain structured communication channels to ensure timely flow of information among partners and stakeholders.
Lead Technical Backstopping & Quality Assurance for the project
• Provide operational follow-up and clarify implementation and results-based reporting requirements consistent with the project Theory of Change.
• Provide technical support to partners on resilience building, gender equality, evidence use, and community innovation.
• Conduct quality checks to ensure partner reporting is compliant with contractual, programmatic and donor requirements.
• Support delivery of capacity development activities such as training, workshops and knowledge exchanges.
• Organize technical review meetings and follow up on agreed action points and recommendations such as Technical Consultative Committee (TCC) meetings
Ensure Administrative & Operational Support
• Support coordination of meetings, field missions, reviews, training, workshops and partner engagements.
• Contribute to procurement and contracting processes where relevant (e.g. preparation of TORs, documentation support, tracking).
• Maintain updated programmatic records, tracking sheets, partner files and workstream documentation.
• When delegated, provide interim coordination support during the absence of the substantive Project Coordinator (without assuming leadership or decision-making functions reserved for that role).
Reporting, Documentation, Communication and Facilitate knowledge and capacity building
• Compile partners inputs for quarterly, annual and donor reporting requirements.
• Support adherence to reporting timelines and follow up on submission of partner reports.
• Participate in reviews of project performance and identification of implementation risks and mitigation actions.
• Support documentation of lessons, good practices, case studies, innovations and implementation challenges for adaptive management.
• Contribute to dissemination of tools, guidelines and knowledge products related to resilience building.
• Provide technical support for ZRBF 2 representation in relevant technical forums and events, as guided by the Coordinator .
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the ZRBF Project Coordinator, the Project Support Specialist will provide operational and technical support to the implementation of the programme. The role includes technical backstopping to partners, facilitation of collaboration and synergies, follow-up on implementation progress, and quality assurance of partner deliverables. The position will promote coherent and collaborative delivery across implementing partners, government counterparts and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment, avoiding duplication, and strengthening the overall quality of programme implementation.
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
- Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction and 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 Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
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 & Knowledge Faciliation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Business Management & Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
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.
Partnership Management & Relationship Management:
- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
- Services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and/or leading and managing projects.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Natural Resources Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate/Environment Studies or related field is required, OR
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields 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 in project implementation support, coordination or development programming is required.
- Proficiency in MS Office applications and familiarity with web-based management systems is required.
- Experience working with government, UN, NGOs or development partners is an asset.
- Experience in resilience, climate, DRR, livelihoods or community development is an asset.
- Experience with results reporting, monitoring or workplan support is an asset.
- Experience supporting multi-stakeholder platforms and joint workstreams is an asset.
- Strong communication, facilitation and writing skills is an asset.
- Experience in design, facilitation, use of participatory techniques and practical community-based approaches is an asset.
- Previous UN or UNDP work experience will be an added 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.
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.