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 Georgia's Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026-2030 identifies effective governance as a key strategic priority and contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030, which aims to ensure that people in Georgia benefit from a more decentralized, inclusive, and accountable governance system, strengthened human rights protections, enhanced gender equality, and greater social cohesion.

Despite progress achieved in advancing democratic governance and human rights, vulnerable and underrepresented groups in Georgia continue to face barriers to participation, inclusion, and equal access to opportunities and services. Recent developments have further affected the operating environment for civil society organizations and community groups working with youth, LGBTI persons, religious minorities, ethnic minorities, and other disadvantaged populations. Challenges related to shrinking civic space, reduced access to resources, increasing social polarization, and growing protection concerns have reinforced the need for targeted interventions that strengthen community resilience, participation, leadership, and access to support mechanisms.

Through the Democratic Governance Portfolio, UNDP supports initiatives aimed at strengthening the protection, inclusion, economic empowerment, and civic participation of vulnerable communities across Georgia. The portfolio promotes dialogue and advocacy, strengthens community-based organizations, advances social cohesion and resilience, expands economic empowerment opportunities, and supports meaningful participation of disadvantaged groups in public and civic life. In parallel, UNDP invests in youth empowerment and civic engagement through leadership development programmes, educational initiatives, youth forums, and support to youth-led initiatives, contributing to more inclusive and participatory governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Democratic Governance Team Leader, Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management, coordination and supervision of the Project implementation.

Ensure efficient overall project management

Ensure sound project management of and take full responsibility for the implementation of the project activities, as per the project documents and UNDP rules and regulations;
Develop annual activity and procurement work plans, as well as budgets based on expected year-end outputs, and ensure close monitoring of activities and delivery;
Provide direction and guidance to the Project Team;
Build, motivate and lead a highly performing team consisting of project personnel, expert consultants, service providers and conduct performance assessments of the team, as per UNDP rules and regulations;
Provide inputs in identification of linkages between the project and other related projects in UNDP, or beyond, maximizing the efficient and effective use of resources;
Secure proper and efficient use of project budget, as per the project document;
Manage financial allocations and approve expenditures according to authority delegated and ensure timely payments in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide;
Coordinate the recruitment of project personnel;
Ensure proper use and maintenance of project equipment and office records and any other documentation by the project personnel;
Comply with security and safety requirements and regulations and ensure the same are respected by all project personnel;
Coordinate the implementation of activities related to equality, inclusion, civic participation, youth engagement, and community resilience in accordance with approved workplans and project objectives.

Provide policy advice and technical guidance

Provide conceptual guidance and technical advice to the Project team and project counterparts to support the implementation of initiatives promoting equality, inclusion, civic participation, youth engagement, human rights, and the empowerment of vulnerable and underrepresented groups, in line with UNDP priorities, national policies, and international human rights standards;
Guide the design of the Project's comprehensive assistance to civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and other relevant stakeholders working in the field of equality, inclusion, and human rights, and provide technical advice in its delivery;
Participate in project-level committees, policy and capacity development working groups and events;
Ensure that achieved policy work is mainstreamed within the Project field work, other relevant UNDP-implemented interventions, as well as promote their applications beyond UNDP scope of work;
Provide strategic advice on equality, inclusion, human rights, equality, youth participation, and civic engagement in line with UNDP corporate priorities and international standards;
Lead the preparation of policy briefs, analytical papers, concept notes, and knowledge products supporting evidence-based programming and advocacy.

Project monitoring, reporting and quality assurance based on the principle of result-based management

Review on a regular basis projects details, schedules, deliverables and budget as articulated in the Annual Work Plan – AWP (evidence of progress towards expected outputs, according to schedule, within budget) with the project team;
Monitor and analyze Project progress, using applicable monitoring & evaluation and risk management tools in UNDP Online Management Tool and Project Information Management System;
Manage and monitor the identified project risks and issues; submit new risks and issues to the donor for consideration and decision if required; update the status of project risks and issues by maintaining the logs;
Ensure timely submission of the Project Progress / Annual Narrative and Financial Reports and other reports as may be required by the UNDP and donor;
Monitor and analyze the project environment and progress, using applicable monitoring and evaluation and risk management tools where relevant;
Advice on timely readjustment of project strategies and corrective actions as necessary;
Conduct field visits and quality checks of project events, sites and activities;
Prepare analytical reviews and systematically capture lessons learnt from the project implementation and identify follow-up actions.

Facilitate Knowledge management and gender equality

Ensure wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements;
Support continuous learning by the project team;
Ensure dissemination of information and knowledge management within the team for effective project implementation;
Ensure that achieved project key results, knowledge tools and products have been mainstreamed within the project field work, as well as within other relevant UNDP interventions and support their popularization and application beyond UNDP scope of work;
Manage the transfer of projects deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
Ensure gender is effectively mainstreamed throughout the project activities, work plans, budgets, reports, researches, analyzes and, where specifically relevant, analyzed in detail;
Ensure knowledge on gender equality is incorporated in Project knowledge management activities and products.

Develop Partnership and advocacy

Establish and maintain good working relations with relevant institutional and organizational partners at state, entity and local levels, as well as with main international organizations relevant for the project implementation;
Encourage active participation of all stakeholders in order to promote empowerment and ownership of national counterparts and stakeholders;
Identify and support the realization of synergetic initiatives and/or contribution from various stakeholders, which would add value and maximize the program results;
Ensure full understanding, cooperation and, wherever possible, synergy of project efforts with those of the International Community in the area.
Participate in technical meetings, coordination platforms, consultations, and public events related to equality, inclusion and civic participation.

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

Competencies

Core competencies:

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

People Management competencies:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross Functional competencies:

Digital and Innovation Management

Tech Literacy
- Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions. Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when it's used as a "means to an end”

Business direction and strategy

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.
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.
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: People

Gender
- Gender and Intersectional Analysis

Business development

Knowledge Facilitation
- Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Gender Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, or another relevant field is required, or;
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above with additional two years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in implementing projects related to equality, inclusion, human rights, and the empowerment of vulnerable and underrepresented groups, including demonstrated experience working with women, youth, LGBTI persons, ethnic and religious minorities, and civil society organizations.

Required skills:

Demonstrated experience in developing knowledge products, policy briefs, analytical papers, guidance materials, and other technical resources related to equality, inclusion, human rights, democratic governance, and the empowerment of vulnerable and underrepresented groups.
Demonstrated experience in working with governments, donors and the United Nations system.
Demonstrated experience engaging and building partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), development partners, donors, academia, and other relevant stakeholders working on equality, inclusion, and human rights;

Desired skills:

Experience in policy analysis, project management, and implementation of development programmes related to equality, inclusion, human rights, democratic governance, and the empowerment of vulnerable and underrepresented groups.
Experience integrating gender equality, social inclusion, human rights, and the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle into programme and project design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Experience using project management and Results-Based Management (RBM) tools for project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and risk management.
Demonstrated experience in developing knowledge products, policy briefs, analytical papers, guidance materials, and other technical resources related to equality, inclusion, human rights, and democratic governance.
Experience working with UNDP, other United Nations agencies, international organizations, donors, government institutions, civil society organizations, and community-based organizations.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Georgian is required

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

Scam alert

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

Project Manager [Open to internal and external applicants]