Project Coordinator, Cartagena Mayors Challenge (Open to Internal and External applicants)

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

UNDP provides integrated programmatic, policy and financing solutions to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, UNDP has created a Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Crisis Bureau (CB) are the two anchor Bureaux of the GPN.

In this context, the newly established Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding (GRP) Hub, a joint endeavour with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), provides leadership and advisory services to enhance UNDP’s impact on governance and peacebuilding, ensuring the integration of democratic governance and human rights into crisis response and recovery. The Hub aims to build an integrated portfolio collaboratively between the CB and BPPS and establish partnerships with various stakeholders including the UN System, IFIs, civil society, and the private sector. 

Through Local Action, the GRP Hub seeks to contribute to peace and development, achieving a visible impact on communities and improving lives by delivering integrated solutions that harness global expertise and partnerships. The Local Action Unit works closely with local and regional governments as key development players, highlighting their role as public service implementers, as drivers of innovation and the closest institution to people. 

Local and regional governments are already responsible of over 65% of the SDG targets, most of them linked to basic service provision from water, sanitation, mobility, climate action, health or education. Cities and territories are playing a big part on the implementation of SDGs, that are becoming a new tool for strategic planning and budgeting in the mid to long-term. Since 2015, local governments and their associations have been increasingly active in promoting the SDGs through advocacy, working with their local population and partners in transposing the spirit of Agenda 2030 in cities and territories. Local Governments have also started to use SDGs as a strategic framework to deliver better and more innovative public services linked to SDG targets and indicators. As part of the SDG Local Action project, UNDP is one of the implementing partners of the Mayors Challenge, a global initiative to reimagine the most essential services that cities deliver to residents.

Within this context, the SDG Local Action project is seeking to recruit a Project Coordinator to support the implementation of the Mayors Challenge in the City of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, one of the winners of the 2025 Mayors Challenge. The project, led by the City of Cartagena de Indias, aims to address the conditions of street vendors in the city’s historic district. For generations, hundreds of families sell food, fruits, traditional sweets and several other items, being part of the colorful culture of the city. Over time, the conditions of this tradition have become outdated, precarious and even unhealthy. The winning idea wants to strengthen traditional vendors, improving their capacities, equipment and quality of life. As a result, the project will achieve a safer, more attractive and organized environment able to highlight the city’s beauty. This project aims to dignify the work of the traditional vendors of the Historic Centre of Cartagena. Initially, it will focus on coconut, sweets and fruit vendors, “raspaos” and visual artists. It will provide new equipment, improve their wellbeing and strengthen their skills. The objective is to recognize traditional vendors as living cultural heritage agents and promote their inclusion in the city’s tourism industry, and within the public space and urban development models. 

Through a series of activities, 142 vendors will be trained in hospitality, customer service, financial management and pride in their craft. Through counselling sessions, they will able be supported by social workers to maintain their motivation. New equipment will be made available for them to sell their goods; through co-creation and co-design of the mobile charts they use around the city.

The project results are aimed to increase the quality of life and wellbeing of the informal vendors, including increased income, as well as an improved cleanliness and organization of the public spaces.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator will perform the following functions:

A. Support project implementation in Cartagena

• Coordinate all project activities with the city’s focal point and team, contribute to the creation of local capacities in project management, planning, budgeting and procuring services and goods for project implementation;
• Lead in strategic planning, decision-making, execution and review to deliver the target metrics, output and outcome of the project;
• Prepare Terms of References for procurement processes to achieve the project activities and objectives;
• Facilitate elaboration and implementation of contract strategy, sourcing strategy, quality management, supplier selection, and improvement of procurement processes;
• Supervise the work of the service providers, consultancies and/or private entities that will implement the project, and conduct performance reviews in accordance with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures. Certify to the UNDP that the services acquired to carry out the project have been delivered on terms satisfactory to the municipality;
• Facilitate the analysis of information required in the preparation of procurement plans and monitoring of its implementation;
• Coordinate project staff, evaluate performance of member teams, provide guidance and create local capacities for the team;
• Elaborate proposals to improve the project effectiveness, including strategies to improve the project overall impact;
• Identify project sustainability alternatives to prepare an exit strategy when the external funding is exhausted. Work closely with the municipality to locate internal resources for the project outputs to be assumed by the municipality at the end of activities.

B. Project monitoring and showcasing results

• Prepare a monitoring framework for the status, results, milestones for the project activities;
• Monitor project outputs, identify data linked to the SDG targets and indicators and liaise with the communications team to provide data for infographics and other communication assets;
• Ensure effective communication about project activities with UNDP, the municipality of Cartagena and project beneficiaries and the local communities.

C. Sharing lessons learnt at global level

• Elaborate knowledge products about how the project is contributing to SDGs by innovating public service delivery;
• Elaborate policy briefs and easy communicable knowledge materials on the lessons learnt by the project;
• Participate in the global exchange of experiences amongst local governments on how the project is contributing to implement the SDGs at local level.

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

Institutional Arrangements

Under the overall guidance of the City Mayor and city project focal point, the Project Coordinator will directly report the UNDP Advisor on cities and local governments based in New York (USA).

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Psychology, Social and Political Sciences, International Development, International Cooperation or Urban studies is required;
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in international development, communications or political and social issues. 

Desired skills:

• At least one (1) year of experience working with urban related issues is desired;
• Demonstrated competence in leadership and project management, is desired;
• Competence in computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.) is desired;
• Proven experience in working with local governments and their associations is an asset;  
• Experience working on Agenda 2030 or other UN global agendas will be an asset;
• Proven professional experience focusing on communication and knowledge generation on urban issues be an asset; 
• Proven track record of excellent analytical and communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal and intercultural) is desired; 
• Experience working on projects related to informality, community organization or income generation for vulnerable population will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both English and Spanish languages, both oral and written is required.

Professional Certificates

• Project Management certificate 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 [link removed]

Scam alert

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