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Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) is a lab for Innovation in Sustainable Design and green transition, and a cross-cultural space for dialogue on climate, peace and security between Denmark & Egypt. A new four-year phase of DEDI started in 2025 financed under the Danish Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP). The new phase is designed to address the challenges and opportunities of climate change, circular economy, green transition and Innovation in Sustainable Design. DEDI implement activities 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 is hosted by UNDP in Egypt with a range of Danish and Egyptian organizations and experts engaged to lead DEDI’s dialogue and exchange activities in Egypt and Denmark.
As the host institution and implementing agency for DEDI, UNDP Egypt implements the initiative, ensuring alignment with broader development priorities and providing technical, operational and administrative support. Under the new phase of DEDI (2025-2028), UNDP is responsible for grant management, partnership development, financial oversight, and technical guidance across all three components. 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.
To support the effective implementation of the Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) under its new phase (2024–2028), UNDP Egypt is recruiting a Project Officer – Innovation in Sustainable Design (NPSA-9) to provide technical support, partnerships and programme coordination to DEDI. The position will support the implementation of Component 1: Innovation in Sustainable Design, with a focus on youth, innovation, green transition, and entrepreneurship.
The role will contribute to the design and delivery of innovation programmes, including incubation cycles, partnerships with SMEs and ecosystem actors, and the development of youth-led business models and technical solutions, while supporting monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management to inform continuous learning and programme improvement.
Under the direct supervision of the DEDI Project Technical Expert and guidance of the DEDI Project Manager, the Project Officer – Innovation in Sustainable Design will:
- Support the coordination and implementation of programme activities related to innovation, youth, entrepreneurship, and skills for the green transition, ensuring efficient and timely delivery.
- Develop and co-create programme concepts for bootcamps, ideation activities, incubation cycles, mentoring, and showcase events in collaboration with a range of partners in Egypt and Denmark.
- Design and lead calls for proposals, including the selection and onboarding of youth participants, partners, and stakeholders for programme activities and related engagements.
- Support the development and refinement of youth-driven business models, technical solutions, and initiatives.
- Proactively identify project challenges and risks and contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Supervise a national UNV in supporting programme-related tasks and logistics.
- Develop and maintain effective partnerships in Egypt and Denmark to ensure high-quality implementation of activities related to innovation, youth, entrepreneurship, and skills for the green transition.
- Support engagement and coordination with a diverse range of partners, including universities, innovation hubs, SMEs, design institutions, and entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs).
- Lead and coordinate the design and finalization of contractual agreements in collaboration with UNDP procurement and partnership teams.
- Support financial tracking, procurement processes, and payment processing in collaboration with UNDP procurement and finance teams.
- Facilitate collaboration and showcase opportunities between youth innovators, stakeholders, and industry partners, including SMEs.
- Support networking efforts to expand DEDI’s partner base and stakeholder engagement, including through linkages with the UNDP Green Link Taskforce.
- Lead the development and refinement of indicators, tracking of KPIs, articulation of results, and follow-up on activities related to innovation, youth, entrepreneurship, and skills for the green transition, in line with the approved DEDI MEL Framework.
- Prepare progress and learning reports, including tracking results of innovation and youth-focused activities.
- Support bi-annual reporting to the DEDI Advisory Group and provide substantive technical inputs to ad hoc reporting requirements, as needed.
- Contribute to knowledge management and learning efforts within DEDI, with a view to capturing insights and lessons learned for continuous improvement and scale.
- Provide substantive inputs to communication and visibility efforts, including social media content, press releases, knowledge products, and related communication activities.
- Systematically document achievements and challenges related to innovation, youth, entrepreneurship, and skills for the green transition.
- Contribute to the identification and application of innovative approaches to programme delivery, using learning to inform continuous improvement and adaptation.
- Stay abreast of relevant local and global research and support the integration of emerging knowledge and best practices into DEDI programming.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Officer will report to the DEDI Project Technical Expert.
Business Direction & Strategy
Business Development
Business Management
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Sustainable Development, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field is required, OR
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at national and/or international level in designing and/or implementing innovation programmes, entrepreneurship support initiatives (e.g. incubation, acceleration), and youth-focused programmes related to sustainable development or the green transition.
- Demonstrated experience in supporting the design, coordination and/or implementation of development programmes is required.
- Experience working with youth-related initiatives, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, or related fields is required.
- Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership development, including collaboration with public, private, or civil society actors, is required.
- Demonstrated ability in programme coordination, including planning, implementation support, monitoring and reporting, is required.
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
- Experience working with regional or international organizations, including UN or multilateral contexts, is an asset.
- Familiarity with youth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and/or sustainability ecosystems in Egypt or the Arab region is an asset.
- Experience in youth engagement, policy dialogue, or capacity-building initiatives is an asset.
- Exposure to innovation, research, or ecosystem development for SMEs or startups is an advantage.
- Experience in sustainable development, climate, or green transition programming is an asset.
Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
- Project/programme management certification is an advantage
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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