Project Officer (Open to Internal and External applicants)

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.

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 play 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 Officer to support the implementation of the Mayors Challenge in the city of Cape Town (South Africa), one of the winners of the 2025 Mayors Challenge.

The city of Cape Town is implementing a project focused on reducing illegal dumping in informal settlements through the development of a co-governed waste management model.

The project responds to the reality that conventional municipal waste services are not adequately adapted to the spatial, governance, and economic conditions of informal settlements. This misalignment results in unreliable waste movement, weak accountability, and persistent illegal dumping, with significant environmental, public health, and financial implications for the city. 

The project aims to design, test, and implement a differentiated waste management model that is tailored to informal settlement contexts, integrates community roles into service delivery and oversight, and supports more sustainable and financially viable waste systems. Key components include community co-design, operational redesign of waste collection and movement systems, development of partnerships to support waste diversion and recycling, and reform of contracting and procurement approaches to enable community-integrated service delivery. 

The Project Officer will support the City of Cape Town to lead implementation of this project, working across municipal departments, communities, and partners to translate the project into an operational model that delivers measurable reductions in illegal dumping and supports long-term institutionalization within the city systems.

The Project Officer will perform the following functions:

• Coordinate assigned project activities in Cape Town, under the supervision of the Project Manager, supporting coordination and implementation while working within the city’s governance and decision-making structures;
• Support strategic project planning, including risk management and facilitate project execution and review to deliver the target metrics, output and outcome of the project;
• Support tracking project progress against key milestones and ensure follow-up on actions across teams.

• Support the implementation of community co-design processes in selected informal settlements in Cape Town, including supporting logistics and preparation of all community engagement activities;
• Support alignment between project activities, procurement processes, and implementation timelines to enable effective delivery.

• Support the preparation of Terms of Reference for procurement processes to achieve the project activities and objectives, including those supporting community-integrated service delivery approaches;
• Support the coordination and oversight of service providers, consultants and/or private entities that will implement the project;
• 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;
• Assist in analyzing the information required for the preparation of procurement plans and monitoring of its implementation.

• Organize meetings and maintain agendas, orientate visits from clients and users. Elaborate on a calendar of activities with dates for specific deliverables; 
• Supervise the budget implementation, request budget revisions and monitor the project financial status; 
• Monitor the operations of the project, including administrative tasks, supporting personnel, and ensuring that implementation processes are effectively coordinated and aligned with project objectives;
• Maintain budget information and accounting records on activities.

• Monitor project outputs and performance, analyzing data and insights to inform delivery, and support the preparation of operational reports on project activities and their impact on beneficiaries;
• Prepare reports on project progress for the City of Cape Town governance structures;
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between UNDP, the City of Cape Town, project partners and local communities;
• Document the methodology and technologies used during the implementation of the project.

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

Under the overall guidance of the City Mayor and city project focal point, the Project Officer will directly report the Project Manager, Cape Town Mayors Challenge.

• 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.

• Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

• Effective Decision Making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

• 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.

• 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.

• Inclusive Growth: Urban development design inclusive design. 

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Project Management, Urban Studies, Environmental Management, and International Development 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 master´s degree. 

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in   relevant professional experience local governments in South Africa.

• Demonstrated experience working on complex, multi-stakeholder projects, particularly within or alongside government systems; 
• Competence in computer and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.); 
• Experience working on projects related to municipal innovation;
• Experience in waste management, environmental services, or urban service delivery.

• Experience supporting institutional or operational change within government systems (e.g. procurement, contracting, service delivery models);
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively across technical teams, leadership, and community stakeholders;
• Proven ability to coordinate across multiple actors, including government departments, service providers, consultants, community stakeholders and partners.

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of an additional South African language, particularly IsiXhosa and/or Afrikaans is an added advantage. 

• Project management certificate 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.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection [link removed]

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