United Nations Development Programme has announced a new and exciting career opportunity for job seekers in South Africa. They are currently hiring for the position of Project Management Specialist at Pretoria. This role is a great opportunity for candidates.
UNDP Project Management Specialist Jobs 2025 Details
Position | Project Management Specialist |
Location | Pretoria, South Africa |
Organization | United Nations Development Programme |
Application Deadline | 8th July, 2025 |
Job Type | Consultancy |
Job Description
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensure that the Annual Work Plan (AWP), along with associated budget, HR, procurement, and overall implementation plans, are developed by the relevant technical experts in alignment with project goals;
- Provide quality and timely management of the entire project life cycle, ensuring the delivery of programmatic and financial outputs in accordance with the approved project documents. All implementations must adhere to applicable UNDP policies, programme and project management rules and procedures, as well as relevant government standards and regulations;
- Serve as a senior advisor on all issues related to project activities, offering strategic guidance and technical insight where needed;
- Ensure the effective application of Results-Based Management (RBM) principles throughout the project planning and implementation processes, including resource planning, budget allocation, and overall resource management;
- Provide strategic direction, guidance, and direct supervision to all UNDP project personnel, including consultants, responsible parties, and technical experts, to ensure the timely and efficient implementation of activities as per the project plan;
- In coordination with the Project Team Lead, conduct technical reviews of all project documents prepared by the project team and implementing partners, ensuring they meet high-quality technical standards;
- Establish robust mechanisms to ensure compliance with all relevant UNDP policies and frameworks, including but not limited to Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), Social and Environmental Standards (SES), Programme and Project Management (PPM), International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), Project Quality Assurance (PQA), and ensure their implementation via Quantum and Quantum+ platforms;
- Ensure that gender equality and gender mainstreaming are fully integrated into all project interventions, to the extent permitted by the local context;
- Conduct regular progress reporting to the Project Board, as agreed, and recommend corrective actions to address emerging challenges and capitalise on opportunities;
- Oversee the execution of all administrative and operational tasks related to project implementation. This includes maintaining strong coordination with the UNDP Country Office functional units (e.g., Programme, M&E, Finance, HR, Procurement, and Supply Chain Management);
- Proactively identify opportunities for synergies with other UNDP projects and initiatives from other partners, to strengthen impact and scale the project’s strategic objectives.
- Provide quality and timely management of the project life cycle, including meeting programmatic and financial deliverables in adherence to the project document and in compliance with UNDP programme and project management regulations and rules, policies and procedures;
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required.
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in project management and programme management, including project formulation and partnership management.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
- Strong managerial and coordination skills/experience, with a demonstrated experience to effectively coordinate the implementation of large multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects;
- Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills, including preparation of briefing notes, summary papers and background notes for high level events.
- Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations;
- Minimum 4 years experience in the UN network;
- Proven experience to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff and all stakeholders involved in the project;
- Proven experience to coordinate and supervise multiple stakeholders in their implementation of technical activities in partnership with a variety of groups, including community and government;
- Proven experience to effectively manage technical and administrative teams, work with a wide range of stakeholders across various sectors and at all levels, to develop durable partnerships with collaborating agencies;
- Strong communication skills/experience both verbal and written.
Languages:
- Fluency in English is required.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the official UNDP career portal.
(Visit the link and search for the job title “Project Management Specialist – Pretoria” to begin your application.)
Make sure to submit your application before 8th July, 2025, as late applications will not be considered.