Background
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. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
Uzbekistan is committed to building climate resilience and fostering sustainable, low-carbon lifestyles, especially among its youth in rural areas. The country faces severe environmental challenges, including rising temperatures, frequent droughts, and the ongoing desertification linked to the drying Aral Sea, which particularly impacts rural communities. This project aims to equip young people with critical skills and knowledge to adapt to and mitigate these climate impacts, empowering them to lead their communities toward a more sustainable future.
The project has three main components. First, it will mainstream climate change education across all upper secondary schools in Uzbekistan, providing a developed curriculum and teacher training to reach over 1.3 million students. Second, it will engage and empower over 800 youth through the Young Green Ambassadors program, enabling them to lead practical climate resilience and sustainability projects in their communities. Third, it will focus on upskilling 4,000 youth in rural areas with essential green skills, such as climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy, through vocational training programs and support for job placement.
The project emphasizes strong partnerships with national institutions, including the Ministry of Education and the Agency for Youth Affairs, to ensure climate education and green skills development are integrated into both school curricula and vocational training. By investing in climate-conscious youth, the project supports Uzbekistan’s broader climate goals and commitments, helping to shape a generation ready to lead climate action and foster sustainable growth across the country. The Project will be implemented in Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Navoi, Khorezm, Samarkand, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya regions.
The Project Specialist will lead the implementation of the project, ensuring that all activities are aligned with project goals, timelines, and budgetary requirements. S/he will oversee planning, coordination, and execution across all project components, including integrating climate education into schools, training young climate ambassadors, and upskilling youth in green economy skills. Working closely with national stakeholders, the Project Specialist will ensure smooth collaboration with partners such as the Ministry of Education and local vocational centers. S/he will also manage reporting, monitor progress against targets, address any challenges, and provide strategic guidance to optimize project impact. The role requires strong leadership, adaptability, and expertise in climate and educational initiatives to drive sustainable outcomes for Uzbekistan’s youth.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Specialist will work under the direct supervision UNDP Country Office ECA Cluster Lead as well as in coordination with the National Project Coordinator. This role involves managing day-to-day operations, ensuring the timely delivery of project outputs, supervising project staff, managing the project budget, and maintaining high-quality reporting to stakeholders. The Project Specialist will also liaise with UNDP, national ministries, and other partners to ensure effective coordination and alignment with national education and climate strategies. The Project Specialist is responsible for the coordinated and timely implementation of activities in accordance with the annual and quarterly work plans of the Project by performing the following main functions and responsibilities:
Lead, coordinate and develop effective project management:
- Project management through the implementation of appropriate activities;
- Providing directions to project personnel and project participants;
- Interaction with the Project Board or its representatives to ensure the implementation and quality of the project (UNDP Environment and Climate Action Cluster), to ensure the focus and integrity of the project;
- Designation and receipt of assistance and recommendations for effective management, planning and control of the project;
- Be responsible for the administrative issues of the project implementation;
- Interaction with suppliers.
Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective project planning and implementation:
- Planning project activities and monitoring the progress of achieving goals in accordance with the established quality criteria;
- Project management in accordance with the project document, UNDP rules and procedures;
- Coordinate and manage the day-to-day activities of the project and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives;
- Monitor the implementation of project work plans, analyze emerging problems and take adequate measures to ensure the timely implementation of the planned tasks;
- Mobilization of goods and services for the implementation of activities, including the preparation of Terms of Reference and work specifications;
- Ensuring that the project contributes to the advancement of gender equality in project activities by reaching, engaging and achieving benefits for both women and men (gender mainstreaming);
- Monitoring the implementation of activities in accordance with the Monitoring and External Relations Plan and updating the plan as necessary;
- Monitoring the use of financial resources to ensure the correctness and reliability of financial statements;
- Management and monitoring of potential project risks, introducing new risks to the Project Board for consideration and, if necessary, taking action; updating the status of these risks by constantly filling and managing the table of possible project risks;
- Be responsible for managing issues and requests for changes to the project by continually completing and managing the project issue table;
- Preparation of quarterly project implementation reports (achieved results in relation to planned goals, updating of risk and problem tables, expense report) and its submission to the Project Board and to the unit responsible for Project Implementation and Quality Assurance (UNDP Sustainable Development Cluster);
- Preparation of the annual project report and its submission to the Project Board and the Results Board (UNDP Environment and Climate Action Cluster);
- Preparation, based on the report, a work plan for the next year, as well as quarterly work plans as required.
Closure of the Project:
- Preparation of final project reports for subsequent submission to the Project Board;
- Organization of transfer of project results, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
- Preparation of a consolidated report of work performed and other necessary reports for consideration by UNDP.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the ECA Cluster Lead and in close collaboration with relevant project partners, the Project Specialist will be responsible for the implementation of the project activities aimed at strengthening the climate services and disaster communications to end-users.
The Project Specialist will provide operational and thematic services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Project Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, project, operations, and Programme’s staff in the UNDP CO to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery and undertake day-to-day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the project component outputs.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
- 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
People Management Competencies:
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated
siteCross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
- Strategic thinking:
- Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
- Project Management:
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Climate:
- Climate Change Adaptation: Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CI & EWS)
- Gender:
- Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation
- Monitoring & 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
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree in the field of Business Management, Education, Public Administration and other relevant areas is required, or
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.
Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years (with Master´s degree) or seven (7) years (with Bachelor´s degree) of experience in project management in the field of education in climate education, youth engagement, or international development.
Desired Skills:
- Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming;
- Strong drafting, presentation, and reporting skills;
- Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search.
Languages:
- Fluency in Uzbek and English is required.
- Good command in Russian is desirable.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements