United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is currently seeking a qualified Programme Assistant to join their team in Djibouti. The role requires a skilled individual with 5 - 6 years of experience in Programme Affairs or a related field. The closing date for this vacancy is May, 18.
Job Description
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:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
Djibouti is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its geographical location and arid climate. The country is increasingly experiencing extreme climate events, such as sudden floods that mainly affect urban areas—especially the capital—causing severe disruptions to infrastructure and basic services. At the same time, rural regions face a persistent water crisis, where water scarcity affects agricultural activities, livestock, and the quality of life of communities. The depletion of water resources, exacerbated by prolonged droughts, places additional pressure on the rural economy and worsens food insecurity.
These escalating climate challenges directly impact the population’s livelihoods and highlight the urgent need to strengthen the country’s resilience to these threats. It is in this context that Djibouti is engaging in actions aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting more effectively to them, particularly through initiatives supported by international partners.
In response to these challenges, and complementing ongoing projects, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) of Djibouti, has developed a significant pipeline of projects focused on climate resilience and environmental sustainability. Among these initiatives are a USD 3 million project to support the reforestation of Day Forest, a USD 23 million project recently mobilized from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a USD 3 million NAP project, and an additional USD 33 million project currently under submission to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
With the expected increase in the volume of financial operations related to these projects, UNDP Djibouti needs to strengthen its team by recruiting a Financial Assistant Consultant. This position will help facilitate and streamline the management of financial operations, thereby ensuring the effective implementation of projects aimed at enhancing the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Programme Assistant will contribute to the financial management and administrative aspects of the Environment and Climate Change Unit. Under the direct supervision of the Environment and Climate Change Unit Programme Specialist, the Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following:
Financial Management and Monitoring
- Ensure daily follow-up of payments for projects under the Environment and Climate Change Unit.
- Prepare and send weekly payment tracking reports.
- Monitor the internal payment process and flag any delays.
- Propose solutions for improved payment management and monitoring.
- Initiate Requisitions/Receipt in Quantum
- Support financial clearance of field missions (DSA, advances, reconciliation).
- Enter purchase and requisition plans into the Quantum system
- Assist in preparing financial sections of procurement files (RFQs, RFPs, IC contracts)
Compliance and Control
- Verify supporting documents attached to payments prior to signature, in accordance with UNDP financial procedures and policies, and in compliance with the SOP agreed between UNDP and MEDD.
- Contribute to financial audits and prepare necessary documentation as required.
- Monitor contract closure compliance for all projects.
Budget
Support
- Assist in the preparation and revision of project budgets.
- Monitor budget revisions, ensuring that all budget changes are properly documented and approved.
Coordination and Communication
- Collaborate with MEDD project teams, particularly financial assistants, to coordinate financial aspects and promptly communicate any missing information.
- Ensure effective communication with the financial assistants of MEDD projects and the UNDP Operation Team.
- Regularly share approved project financial statements with MEDD teams.
Administrative and Logistical Tasks
- Ensure physical and electronic filing and archiving of financial and administrative documents within the Environment Unit, ensuring they are organized and accessible.
- Support the creation of vendor profiles for goods and service providers.
- Prepare and organize logistics for workshops and meetings, including room bookings, material preparation, required documents, and coordination with participants.
- Support the preparation of mission orders for field missions and concept notes for workshopsEnsure comprehensive follow-up of the payment process related to the logistics for the travel of Ministry of Environment officials.
- Draft minutes and notes when needed.
- Retrieve and follow up on the registration of incoming correspondence to avoid delays in the payment process.
- Monitor logistical and support needs during events to ensure their smooth execution.
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 incumbent will be based in the UNDP Djibouti office;
- The incumbent will have reporting line to the CO Environment and Climate Change Programme Specialist ;
- The incumbent will work closely with Environment and Climate Change team within Djibouti CO and the Operation Team
Competencies
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core
Achieve Results
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, paysattention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makesimprovements
Learn Continuously
LEVEL 1: Open mindedand curious, sharesknowledge, learns from mistakes, asksfor feedback
Adapt withAgility
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination
LEVEL 1: Shows driveand motivation, ableto deliver calmlyin face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towardsothers, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Thematic Area
Name
Definition
Business Management
Working with Evidence and Data
Business Management
Digital Awareness and Literacy
Business Management
Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
Business Management
Communication
Business Management
Monitoring
Technical - Finance
Budget
management
Administration & Operations
Event Management
- 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
- Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making
- Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed
- Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and
- verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
- Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
- Support projects with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
About Djibouti
Djibouti City is the capital of the Republic of Djibouti, strategically located at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East. The city hosts multiple international military bases, UN agencies, and development organizations, offering unique opportunities in logistics, maritime services, security, and international development.
Ereyada Soomaaliga (Somali Keywords): Shaqo Cusub • Shaqo Jabuuti • Shaqo Buuxda