Project Coordinator (PSA)

Description

United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About UNU-WIDER

UNU-WIDER is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. 

UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today, it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as freely available original research. More information on UNU-WIDER and its current work programme are available at www.wider.unu.edu.

UNU-WIDER in Mozambique

UNU-WIDER has an established and long-standing presence in Mozambique through its embedded support to government institutions, including under the Inclusive Growth in Mozambique (IGM) programme and the Strengthening Capacity to Access Climate Finance (FORÇA) project. In this context, UNU-WIDER works in close partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD), providing policy-relevant research, capacity development, and technical assistance. The FORÇA project supports the National Directorate for Climate Finance (DNFC) by strengthening its institutional and technical capacity to mobilize, manage, and coordinate climate finance, while also enhancing data systems and analytical outputs to inform evidence-based policymaking. The position is based full-time at the Ministry of Planning and Development in Maputo, ensuring close day-to-day engagement with government counterparts and strong alignment with national priorities.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Partnerships and Programme Officer and in close coordination with DNFC leadership and the resident UNU-WIDER Senior Research Fellow, the Project Coordinator will support the effective implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the FORÇA Project.

1. Project implementation and coordination

• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of project activities, ensuring alignment with approved work plans and timelines; 

• Coordinate across project workstreams to ensure coherence and alignment of activities and outputs;

• Maintain and update the project work plan and activity tracker on a regular basis, flagging delay or risks against milestones to the supervisor and identifying remedial actions to all relevant parties so as to ensure that agreed targets/deliverables are met within timelines;

• Serve as the primary operational liaison between UNU‑WIDER, DNFC, and other stakeholders involved in implementation; 

• Prepare monthly implementation notes, summarizing completed activities, pending actions, and emerging risks, with proposed responses.

2. Monitoring, reporting, and documentation

• Undertake regular monitoring of project progress against outputs, indicators, and milestones, ensuring alignment with the LogFrame, and contribute to the development and effective use of monitoring tools and tracking systems;

• Ensure timely preparation and quality assurance of narrative reports and updates, consolidating inputs from the project team and supporting overall reporting processes;

• Ensure systematic documentation of outputs, implementation progress, lessons learned, and good practices;

• Establish and maintain efficient systems for compiling, organizing, and storing project outputs, including reports, studies, analytical products, training materials, and presentations, ensuring proper archiving, accessibility, and up-to-date repositories of project deliverables, trainings, workshops, and events.

3. Financial and administrative support

• Monitor the financial implementation of the project (i.e., budget vs. expenditures), flagging risks or deviations; 

• Support preparation of work plans and budget revisions, ensuring alignment with project priorities; 

• Coordinate administrative processes (procurement, contracting, logistics) to ensure efficient project execution; 

• Ensure compliance with UNU and donor administrative and financial requirements. 

4. Technical coordination support

• Liaise with and coordinate inputs from consultants and technical experts, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of outputs; 

• Facilitate effective implementation of capacity-building activities, including planning and coordination of training programmes. 

5. Stakeholder coordination

• Maintain regular and structured coordination with DNFC leadership to ensure alignment of project activities and priorities; 

• Facilitate engagement with development partners and key stakeholders, ensuring effective collaboration; 

• Coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, and stakeholder platforms including logistical preparation, documentation and follow-up on agreed actions. 

6. Communication and knowledge support

• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of communication and knowledge products, including reports, briefs, and presentations;

• Support implementation of project visibility and outreach activities;

• Facilitate knowledge sharing and information exchange among project stakeholders and partners.

7. Contribution to project development

• Provide inputs to project planning, including suggestions for improving implementation efficiency;

• Support preparation of inputs to proposals, concept notes, or follow-on activities as requested; 

• Conduct background research and information gathering on relevant development priorities, donor strategies, and funding opportunities to support future programming.

8. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and effective coordination and follow-up of project activities, milestones and deliverables.

• Quality and timeliness of reporting, project monitoring and documentation.

• Accuracy and consistency of monitoring data and records.

• Effective coordination and support to DNFC, UNU-WIDER colleagues, consultants, development partners and other stakeholders.

• Compliance with administrative, financial, and procedural requirements.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity

• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards

• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others

• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Requirements

1) Education and certification

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in economics, public policy, development studies, finance, climate change, or a related field

  Or

  Master's degree in economics, public policy, development studies, finance, climate change, or a related field is an advantage.

2) Required skills and experience

Required

• At least five (5) years of relevant experience (with Bachelor’s degree) or three (3) years (with Master’s degree) in project or programme coordination/support.

• Experience in supporting implementation of development projects.

• Experience in monitoring, reporting, and administrative coordination.

• Experience working with government institutions, international organizations, or development partners.

Desired

• Exposure to climate finance, environmental policy, or public sector reform;

• Experience in working in Mozambique or similar contexts, including with/in government institutions;

• Familiarity with donor-funded project requirements.

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Portuguese (written and spoken) is required.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual gross salary USD 51,757, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Starting date

As soon as possible

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;

• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);

• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and

• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

20 August 2026

Submissions must be received by 23:59, UTC +3 on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.

Special Notice

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU 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 UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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