UNGTPF Secretariat Manager [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.

The UN Georgia Thematic Pooled Fund (UNGTPF) (hereinafter referred to as the “Fund”) was established to support civic space in Georgia in advancing the 2030 Agenda, operating in the spirit of the "Leaving No One Behind" (LNOB) principle. The Fund officially started on March 1, 2025, and is currently scheduled to function until December 31, 2027.

The Fund is anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Georgia 2026-2030 (UNSDCF) and is specifically linked to its Outcome 3, dedicated to governance, human rights, gender equality and social cohesion. 

The Fund’s governance structure is led by the Steering Committee (SC), chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator (UN RC). The Fund implementation is executed through Joint Programmes (JPs), led by a Convening Agent PUNOs and implemented collaboratively by multiple Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs). The Fund is administered by the UN Multi -Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO).

The Fund Secretariat is the support structure responsible for the operational functioning of the UNGTPF. It provides technical and management support to the Steering Committee, reports directly to the UN RC, and along with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RCO) serves as an interface between all governing structures of the Fund to facilitate the work of the UN RC and the Fund overall.

Under the overall supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator (UN RC), the UNGTPF Secretariat Manager provides strategic, programmatic, operational, and coordination support for the effective functioning of the UN Georgia Thematic Pooled Fund (UNGTPF) Secretariat and supports the work of the Steering Committee (SC).

The incumbent is responsible for ensuring effective coordination, governance, oversight, reporting, and stakeholder engagement related to the Fund, in line with the Fund’s governance framework, Operations Manual, and applicable UN pooled fund requirements.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following key functions:

• Support the strategic leadership role of the UN Resident Coordinator in relation to the Fund and provide substantive advice on strategic priorities, programmatic direction, and operational risks.
• Provide analysis and recommendations to the RC and Steering Committee on programme performance, financial allocations, implementation trends, and emerging contextual developments affecting Fund operations.
• Support the strategic planning, design, and operationalization of funding windows, joint programmes, and related programmatic frameworks in coordination with participating UN organizations and the Administrative Agent (MPTFO).
• Contribute to ensuring that Fund-supported initiatives remain context-sensitive, risk-informed, and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and broader UN strategic priorities.

• Manage the day-to-day functioning of the Fund Secretariat and coordinate Secretariat support to the Steering Committee and participating UN organizations.
• Coordinate Steering Committee processes, including preparation of agendas, technical documentation, meeting records, decision tracking, and follow-up actions.
• Facilitate inter-agency coordination and communication among Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs), donors, and other stakeholders to support effective programme implementation and coherence across funding windows.
• Coordinate calls for proposals and appraisal processes in accordance with the Fund governance framework and Operations Manual.
• Review and quality assure programme and budget submissions prior to their presentation to the Steering Committee.

• Support oversight of Fund implementation, including monitoring programme progress, operational risks, financial delivery, and compliance with Fund requirements and applicable UN pooled fund policies.
• Support the RC and Steering Committee with financial oversight of the Fund, including analysis of funding availability, tranche structuring, allocation planning, and resource utilization.
• Consolidate annual and final narrative reporting received from participating UN organizations and coordinate submission of required documentation to the Administrative Agent.
• Facilitate operational and financial closure processes for Fund-supported projects in coordination with participating UN organizations and the Administrative Agent.
• Ensure compliance with applicable UN pooled fund, MPTFO, donor, and governance requirements, including quality assurance of project documentation, reporting, and financial structures.

• Support development and implementation of the Fund’s resource mobilization strategy in close coordination with the RCO Partnerships and Development Finance function.
• Facilitate engagement with donors and external partners, including support to consultations, preparation of briefing materials, negotiation processes, and coordination related to contribution agreements.

• Coordinate development and implementation of the Fund’s communication and visibility approaches in coordination with the UN Information Officer and relevant stakeholders.
• Support preparation of communication, outreach, and visibility materials related to Fund activities and results, ensuring appropriate recognition of contributors and participating UN organizations.
• Contribute to knowledge management, documentation of lessons learned, and dissemination of good practices related to pooled fund management and programming.

Perform other related duties as required to support the effective functioning of the Fund Secretariat and implementation of the Fund’s objectives and assigned by the First Reporting Officer. 

Under the overall guidance supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia (First Reporting Officer), the UNGTPF Secretariat Manager will be responsible for carrying out the assigned functions to ensure their effective and timely implementation.

The UNGTPF Secretariat Manager will also have a secondary reporting line to UNDP Georgia Operations Officer for technical and administrative matters, including the management of annual leave and other related processes in the Quantum system.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site [link removed]. 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

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.
• Risk Management:    
  • Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• 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
• Monitoring and Evaluation:    
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; 
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. 
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. 
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

• 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.

• Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding     
  • Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms  

• Strategic engagement     
  • Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision
    and objectives

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Social Sciences, Business or Public Administration or any other related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s Degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in in project/programme management, coordination or other similar initiatives.

• Experience in facilitating the work of multi-stakeholder and UN inter-agency governance bodies, such as Steering Committees, Boards, or Working Groups, and providing advice to UN senior officials on leading the work of such platforms
• Experience with donor relations and resource mobilization in the UN or other bilateral or multilateral cooperation context
• Experience preparing documentation and materials for interagency and multistakeholder governance bodies (including reports, briefing notes, analysis, recommendations)
• Experience with grants management, including selection and approval of project proposals.

• Fluency in English and Georgian are required.

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]

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.