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:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Somalia’s urban areas face increasing climate-related challenges, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, and droughts, which are compounded by weak infrastructure, limited climate-resilient planning, and reduced institutional capacity due to decades of conflict. These pressures have constrained investments in critical sectors and heightened vulnerability, particularly among urban communities.
The Building Urban Resilience Project aims to address these challenges by strengthening institutional capacity for climate adaptation, enhancing urban resilience through Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and promoting climate-responsive urban planning and governance. The project also seeks to mobilise sustainable finance, particularly through private-sector engagement, while improving knowledge management and data systems to support the scaling up of resilience interventions.
Building on lessons from previous UNDP-supported initiatives, including Early Warning Systems (EWS), the project adopts an integrated approach that combines policy support, capacity development, and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce risks and support sustainable urban development in Somalia.
The National Project Manager (NPM) will be responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, and day-to-day management of the Somalia Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Project. Under the overall leadership of the Portfolio Manager for Resilience and Climate Change at UNDP Somalia, the NPM will ensure effective implementation of project activities, achievement of results, and compliance with approved work plans and standards.
The NPM will supervise project personnel and experts, manage inputs, and coordinate closely with national counterparts (SoDMA, MoEWR, NCA, MoECC, MoF), Pillar Lead agencies (UNDRR, WMO, ITU, IFRC), and regional partners (ICPAC, SoNDA). S/he will also maintain strong collaboration with UNDP Country Office teams and project donors.
The NPM will work in close coordination with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), who will provide technical guidance and contribute directly to project implementation based on international best practices and inputs from the Pillar Lead organizations. The CTA will also support capacity building of technical personnel within the Project Management Unit (PMU) and expert teams, while the NPM ensures operational leadership and delivery of project outputs.
The NPM will also be responsible for: (a) co-financing verification and documentation in each APR; (b) GCF Core Indicator baseline establishment prior to project commencement; (c) notification to UNDP (as Accredited Entity) of any material project change as required under the Funded Activity Agreement; (d) facilitation of mid-term and terminal reviews; and (e) safeguards and Gender Action Plan progress reporting within the APR.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight to ensure alignment with project objectives.
- Manage the overall conduct of the project and ensure delivery of expected outputs.
- Monitor progress against the approved workplan and make course corrections as needed.
- Prepare revisions to multi-year, annual, and quarterly workplans as required.
- Ensure timely preparation and submission of the Inception Report and GCF Annual Performance Report (APR).
- Ensures a fit-for-purpose M&E system is operational by the end of the Inception Phase, covering all GCF Core Indicators relevant to this project.
- Monitor and report on GCF Core Indicators and project results framework indicators.
- Execute activities including procurement, training, and low-value grants; draft TORs and oversee contractors.
- Monitor events per the project monitoring plan and update as necessary.
- Manage financial resources, including requests for advances, direct payments, and reimbursements.
- Ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; submit quarterly financial reports to UNDP.
- Track mobilisation and disbursement of committed co-financing, document evidence for APR inclusion, and alert the Project Board and UNDP CO when co-financing is at risk.
- Monitor project risks (including social and environmental), maintain the risk log, and propose mitigation measures.
- Operational lead and must ensure audit readiness through adequate record-keeping, financial controls, and contractor documentation.
- Supervise project personnel, set performance standards, and provide feedback and support.
- Coordinate with the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and PMU for technical inputs and quality assurance.
- Review and clear technical outputs; ensure adherence to the highest standards.
- Facilitate strategic dialogue with government counterparts and stakeholders.
- Advocate for UNDP and represent the project in coordination platforms and meetings.
- Accountable for operationalising and monitoring the GAP (with sex-disaggregated reporting); implementing and updating the SEP; and monitoring and reporting ESMP compliance.
- Maintain regular communication with government counterparts on project progress, plans, and emerging issues.
- Organize formal/informal briefings to discuss adaptive management needs and risks.
- Ensures accessible, culturally appropriate intake channels, including options for communities with limited literacy; case tracking, response timelines, and escalation protocols; confidential reporting channels for GBV-related grievances with referral pathways; and GRM reporting in each APR.
- Prepare ad hoc communication materials and thematic reports at the request of the government and partners.
- Organize Project Board meetings twice a year; prepare agendas, background materials, and minutes.
- Responsible for: developing a sustainability and exit strategy within six months of inception; coordinating with MoF and SoDMA on domestic budget allocation for recurrent MHEWS costs post-project; and reporting on sustainability progress in each APR.
- Capture and integrate lessons learned into planning and decision-making to enhance project effectiveness and sustainability
- Coordinate and prepare substantive reports, briefs, and analysis.
- Support mid-term review and terminal evaluation processes.
- Implement project communications activities in collaboration with the UNDP Communications Specialist.
- Carry out core elements of project management with technical support from the CTA and PMU.
- Annual work planning and budgeting.
- Procurement of goods and services.
- Budget and expenditure monitoring and analysis.
- Contractual management and consultant oversight.
- Quarterly and annual progress and operational reporting.
- Ensure consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations.
- Collect and analyze information on technical, financial, political, and operational issues affecting implementation.
- Conduct risk assessments and update mitigation measures jointly with CTA.
- Escalate issues with potential impact on UNDP’s effectiveness, financial soundness, or reputation to the UNDP CO Programme Team and Senior Management.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Under the direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager, Resilience and Climate Change, UNDP Somalia, the National Project Manager is responsible for implementing and managing the ‘Somalia Early Warning for All’ project, with technical support from the Chief Technical Advisor. The Project Manager acts as the Project Management Lead.
Core
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
People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
Thematic Area | Name | Definition
Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
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
Business Management | Results-Based Management | Ability to manage the implementation of strategies,
programmes, and projects with a focus at improved
performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge
and understanding of relevant theories, concepts,
methodologies, instruments, and tools.
Business Management | Risk Management | Identify and organize action around reducing,
mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Direction & Strategy | Negotiation and Influence | Reach a common understanding/agreement,
persuade others, resolve points of difference
through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable
solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
Business Direction & Strategy | Systems 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 .
2030 Agenda: Planet | Disaster Risk Reduction and
Recovery | Multi-hazard early warning systems
Education | An advanced University Degree(Master’s degree or equivalent) in disaster risk reduction, development studies, climate change, Environmental Management, Project Management, Business or Public Sector Administration, International Relations, Economics, Political Science, or related field. OR
First-level university degree in the above fields in combination with an additional 2 years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience | Minimum of 5 years (with a Master's) or 7 years (with a Bachelor's degree) of progressive experience in project development and management, with a focus on planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder and team coordination in an international development organisation.
Required Skills | Demonstrated experience in the management of similar climate change adaptation projects of a similar size (over 5 to 10 million)
Excellent and proven knowledge of project management principles and best practices.
Extensive managerial experience, including experience in leading multi-cultural teams.
Experience in the design and implementation of vertical projects
Good computer literacy – MS Office applications, web-based management information systems.
Desired skills | Experience in working at the country level with a UN or an international organisation.
Previous experience working with government entities and other stakeholders in implementing activities at national levels, particularly in the East Africa region, is desirable.
Demonstrated experience in working in fragile, conflict-affected states is an asset.
Demonstrated project experience in strengthening climate information services and early warning systems is desirable.
Demonstrated working experience with Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility, or similar donor- funded projects is desirable.
Required Language(s) | Fluency in English and the Somali language is required
- A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
- Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
- Links to any relevant (non-confidential) materials that may help candidates gain a better understanding of the office/unit/project context.
- Organigram of the office/unit/project indicating the position of the function (for internal use only).
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.
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.
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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