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

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

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:

Provide programme technical support and advisory

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.

Cultivate and coordinate partnerships and networks

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.

Contribute to Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and reporting

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.

Facilitate knowledge management, communication, and innovation

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.

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

Institutional Arrangement The Project Officer will report to the DEDI Project Technical Expert.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results – Level 2: Scale up solutions and simplify processes, balancing speed and accuracy in delivering work.
Think Innovatively – Level 2: Offer new ideas, remain open to new approaches, and demonstrate systemic and integrated thinking.
Learn Continuously – Level 2: Step outside the comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning.
Adapt with Agility – Level 2: Adapt processes and approaches to new situations and involve others in the change process.
Act with Determination – Level 2: Demonstrate perseverance and effectively manage multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
Engage and Partner – Level 2: Act as a facilitator and integrator, bringing people together and building and maintaining partnerships and coalitions.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Level 2: Facilitate conversations that bridge differences and incorporate diversity and inclusion considerations into decision-making.
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies Business Direction & Strategy

Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans aligned with UNDP objectives, based on a systemic analysis of challenges, risks, and opportunities.
- Ability to leverage learning from various sources to anticipate and respond to future trends and demonstrate foresight in identifying possible ways forward for UNDP.
System Thinking
- Ability to use objective analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within a system and how changes to one element may affect other parts of the system.

Business Development

Knowledge Facilitation
- Ability to engage individuals and groups, internally and externally, and design and facilitate activities that support knowledge sharing, information exchange, and collaboration.
- Knowledge of tools and approaches that encourage active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business Management

Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific objectives.
Communication
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively through written and verbal communication, adapting messages and communication methods to different audiences.
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.

Partnership Management

Relationship Management
- Ability to engage with a broad range of public and private partners and build, sustain, and strengthen working relationships, trust, and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Experience:

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.

Required skills and competencies

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.

Desired additional skills and competencies

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.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Professional Certificates

Project/programme management certification 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

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 Officer - Innovation in Sustainable Design (Open to Internal & External Applicants)