Program Associate [Open to Tier 1 & 2 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.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a 'leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) works with governments, development partners, financial institutions, the private sector and communities to advance sustainable development and strengthen resilience. Through its work on sustainable finance, UNDP supports countries to mobilize and align public and private finance with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The SDG Finance and Investment Portfolio strengthens Tanzania's financing ecosystem by mobilizing diversified finance to accelerate the SDGs. As a collaborative platform, it convenes government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and development partners to address financing gaps and enable investment. Its work spans public finance for the SDGs; investment promotion and facilitation; and insurance and risk finance. Across these areas, the Portfolio develops investment pipelines, tests financing instruments, promotes SDG-aligned investment, supports sustainable debt and public financing, and builds resilience, protects lives and advances inclusive economic growth. The Program Associate will provide portfolio coordination, administration, procurement, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, reporting, communications, event-management and knowledge-management support. Under matrix reporting, the incumbent will report directly to the National Program Coordinator for functional supervision and work under the Head of the Portfolio's strategic guidance and portfolio-level oversight.

• Support preparation, implementation and updating workplans, activity schedules, results frameworks, project trackers, and deliverable schedules in consultation with responsible managers;
• Coordinate day-to-day follow-up of assigned projects and workstreams; track milestones, deadlines, risks, deliverables and stakeholder commitments; and flag emerging issues for timely management action;
• Coordinate strategic and technical meetings, high-level forums and physical or virtual project team meetings; manage invitations, agendas, background materials, presentations, minutes, transcription or translation, action trackers and follow-up;
• Support consultations, workshops, training, launches, innovation challenges, investment events and forums, field activities and missions, working with internal units, partners, consultants and service providers;
• Draft or contribute to terms of reference, concept notes, project documents, implementation plans, presentations, correspondence, high-level briefs and meeting packs.

• Support preparation and monitoring of project budgets, procurement plans, implementation schedules and administrative trackers in accordance with applicable UNDP rules, policies and procedures:
• Support e-requisitions, procurement, contracting, consultant, vendor, travel and payment processes, including non-PO transactions, in accordance with assigned system roles and UNDP procedures;
• Coordinate event logistics and service providers for meetings, high-level forums, investment and innovation events and communication assignments, including venue, graphic-design, photography and videography services;
• Maintain consultant and contract deliverable schedules, vendor and payment-supporting documents, programme correspondence, project files and other complete, organized and auditready records.

• Support engagement with government institutions, regulators, United Nations entities, development partners, financial institutions, investors, businesses, innovation actors, civil society, academia, media and other stakeholders;
• Support activities across the Portfolio's thematic areas, including public finance, investment promotion and facilitation, innovation, insurance and risk finance, and related sustainable-finance initiatives;
• Prepare stakeholder briefs, partner profiles, high-level speeches, talking points, presentations, correspondence and meeting materials and maintain engagement calendars, databases and records of commitments and decisions;
• Facilitate information flow among stakeholders, consultants and UNDP teams and support followup on partnerships, joint activities, events, knowledge platforms and resource-mobilization opportunities.

• Collect, consolidate, review and synthesize implementation and results updates from projects, consultants and partners, ensuring completeness, quality, consistency and timely submission;
• Maintain trackers for activities, outputs, indicators, deliverables, risks and agreed actions and support monitoring against approved workplans and results frameworks;
• Contribute to project, progress, donor, corporate and annual reports, management updates, presentations and newsletters that communicate results to internal and external audiences;
• Document progress, challenges, lessons learned, good practices, impact stories, stakeholder insights and recommendations and maintain supporting evidence for reported results and adaptive programming.

• Contribute to project and portfolio communication strategies, advocacy campaigns and content plans aligned with program objectives, UNDP branding and partner-visibility requirements;
• Draft and edit high-level briefs, speeches, talking points, press releases, media advisories, articles, blogs, human-interest stories, fact sheets, knowledge briefs, newsletters, presentations, infographics and multimedia content;
• Coordinate content publication and dissemination across websites, social media, email, print and events; support media outreach; and ensure editorial quality, consistent messaging and partner visibility;
• Monitor digital analytics, media coverage and public engagement to improve communications and advocacy, and maintain an organized repository of content, communication assets and knowledge products;
• Perform other duties within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

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

The Program Associate will be part of UNDP Tanzania's SDG Finance and Investment Portfolio and will operate under a matrix reporting arrangement. The incumbent will report directly to the National Program Coordinator, who will provide day-to-day functional supervision, task assignment, and quality assurance for assigned activities. 

The Head of the Portfolio will provide overall strategic guidance and portfolio-level oversight, ensuring that the incumbent's broader contribution remains aligned with the Portfolio's priorities and strategic direction. 

The incumbent will support projects across the Portfolio in accordance with approved workplans and priorities, working closely with relevant UNDP teams, program and project managers, government counterparts, consultants, implementing partners, the private sector, civil society, development partners and other stakeholders.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pay attention to details, deliver quality work by the deadline;
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements;
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback;
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible;
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident;
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships;
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and coordinate resources, procedures and stakeholders to achieve project goals and deliver quality outputs on time.
• Partnerships Management
  • Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with government, United Nations, private-sector, financial-sector, civil society and development partners.
• Monitoring & Evaluation
  • Ability to collect, consolidate and analyze implementation and results information and provide timely, high-quality reporting on progress.
• Communication
  • Ability to draft and edit clear, compelling written and visual content and tailor advocacy messages, formats and channels to diverse audiences.
• Digital Awareness and Literacy
  • Ability to use digital collaboration, content-development, analytics and information-management tools effectively to support program delivery and engagement.

• Operations Management
  • Ability to coordinate administrative workflows, procurement, vendors, payments, high-level events, meetings and logistics in accordance with organizational procedures.

• Documents and Records Management
  • Ability to organize, retrieve and archive program, event, procurement, vendor, payment and communication records systematically.

• Secondary education is required or:
• A university degree (Bachelor's degree) in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Media Studies, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, International Development, Finance, Economics, Social Sciences or a related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

• A minimum of seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with a Bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in program or project coordination, program administration and operations, stakeholder or private-sector engagement, monitoring and reporting, strategic communications and advocacy, event management, knowledge management or related development-program support functions.

• Experience in supporting program or project planning, implementation, coordination and administration;
• Experience in coordinating high-level or technical meetings, forums, workshops or events; 
• Experience in maintaining workplans, trackers, minutes and follow-up systems; 
• Experience in preparing high-quality briefs, speeches, talking points, articles, reports or presentations;
• Experience in supporting stakeholder engagement, communications, advocacy, procurement, vendors or logistics;
• Experience in using Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools; 
• Strong organizational, drafting, editing experience is required;
• Time-management skills/experience are required.

• Experience supporting multi-stakeholder programs and working with government, regulators, the United Nations, development partners, financial institutions or the private sector is desirable;
• Experience in sustainable finance, investment promotion or facilitation, innovation, inclusive finance, insurance and risk finance, or related portfolio initiatives is an asset;
• Experience in media relations, digital campaigns, visual storytelling, project or corporate reporting, enterprise resource-planning systems, e-requisitions or non-PO payments is an advantage.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Swahili is required.

• Professional certification in project management, strategic communications, digital marketing, event management, monitoring and evaluation, procurement, administration or related field is an asset but is not 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

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