Project 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.

You are invited to join a team of dedicated development professionals whose primary role is to support the Philippines to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As part of the UNDP team your focus will be to work with multiple stakeholders to find the country specific solutions that lead to resilience to crises, and to ensure no one is left behind - and we reach those furthest behind first.

In Mindanao, UNDP has played a critical role in supporting various peace processes, including technical and operational assistance during the peace negotiations as well as in the implementation of peace agreements towards realizing peace dividends for communities in conflict-affected areas. This accompaniment process has included substantive technical and operational support for conflict-prevention, governance and peacebuilding. Specifically, the Peacebuilding Cluster has implemented technical and operational support for capacity-strengthening on conflict-sensitivity and peace-promotion among regional government institutions; community resilience and socio-economic empowerment assistance for communities most affected by armed conflict; and support for peace process mechanisms, including on key components of the Normalization process. In addition, projects under the Cluster also focus on strengthening meaningful participation and empowerment of sectoral groups (women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and internally displaced persons) through the mainstreaming and operationalization of the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agenda.

• Provide quality leadership in the overall coordination and management of the project; Contribute to the development and monitoring of action plans in order to identify and resolve issues on financial delivery towards the full and optimal utilization of project funds;
• Lead the identification of project issues, challenges and risks, appropriate recommendations and implements them;
• Prepare progress monitoring reports (e.g. donor reports), activity designs, briefing papers, technical reports, meeting documentation, situation updates, official correspondences, M&E documents, and other documentation as may be required in project implementation;
• Organize and participate in workshops, needs assessments, consultations, planning sessions and provide technical inputs as maybe necessary;
• Undertake communication assignments such as writing of articles, press releases, development of knowledge products and other related activities; Mentor and coach team members as they perform their duties;

• Establish and maintain a strategic understanding of and engagement with all the relevant institutions, including establishing contact and developing strategic partnerships with other UN agencies, government institutions, donors, NGOs, IFIs, the private sector, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders and beneficiaries at the national, regional, and local levels;
• Participate in meetings with donors, prepare and deliver presentations of project results, and follow up with relevant counterparts if requested by the supervisor;
• Implement resource mobilization strategies to achieve project outcomes that include facilitating liaisons with potential financing agencies and institutions to strengthen relationships and raise funds. Identify new funding opportunities for furthering the project ideas.

• Organize training for the project personnel to enhance their capacities in the technical matters of the thematic area of the project;
• Identify, evaluate, synthesize, and document lessons learned and best practices directly linked to the project goals and activities. Develop knowledge sharing materials and respond to related queries.
• Contribute substantively to knowledge networks and communities of practice within the thematic area of the project;
• Develop and carry out a personal learning plan.

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 Team Leader of the Peace and Stabilization Programme Team and the UNDP Head of Cotabato Field Office, the Project Manager will work with key partners and stakeholders to deliver distinct outputs of the project, to ensure quality implementation- from capacity building, management of human and financial resources, oversee the monitoring and evaluation, and communication framework towards achievement of delivery targets.

The Project Manager will work closely with the project team, Peace and Stabilization Programme Team, and UNDP CO teams and project stakeholders.

Willingness to relocate to Cotabato City is required.

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

The posts will be supervising personnel which includes the Project Analyst, Admin and Finance Associate, Project Assistant and Driver.

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

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, including Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy and Management, International Development, Peace and Conflict Studies Peace and Conflict Studies or other related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two (2)  years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum five (5) years (with master´s degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor´s degree) of professional work experience in in project management and coordination, preferably in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

• At least five (5) years of experience in project management including preparation of budgets, annual work plans and financial reporting;
• Experience using standard software applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc.

• At least five (5) years of work experience in sustainable area development OR peacebuilding at the level of communities;
• At least five (5) years of experience in International Organizations, such as the UN, is an advantage, especially knowledge about Business Processes;
• At least five (5) years of experience of working with the key mechanisms and stakeholders of the peace processes in BARMM;
• At least five (5) years of experience of effective partnership development with national/local counterparts, development partners and civil society.

• Fluency in English and Filipino language is 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

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