Programme Associate [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Full-time

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Posted on Oct 2, 2026
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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:

  • 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.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka is a key partner in driving sustainable development, tackling economic, social, and environmental challenges in Sri Lanka. Through its Country Programme (2023–2027), UNDP focuses on strategic, integrated solutions that align with national priorities and strengthen resilience in a changing socio-economic landscape. The Country Office enhances its advisory and programmatic functions by providing technical expertise, policy support, efficient delivery of results and strong implementation oversight. By promoting inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, and governance reforms, UNDP collaborates with government, civil society, and the private sector to develop scalable, localized solutions. With a focus on innovation, strategic partnerships, and efficient programme management, UNDP Sri Lanka ensures impactful, sustainable development, helping the country progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Programme Teams of UNDP Sri Lanka work to support achievement of UNDP’s strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.

Under the direct supervision of the assigned Programme Analyst and overall guidance of the Team Leader, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Programme Associate supports the planning, organization, and implementation of programme activities in accordance with project documents, work plans and UNDP rules and regulations. The role ensures timely and efficient administration of programme activities, coordination of projects and support to programme staff in a variety of operational and programme support tasks.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with other staff and personnel within the team, Operations, and projects’ staff in the Country Office, Regional Hub and UNDP HQ, and UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex programme support-related issues. The Programme Associate is also expected to work closely with external partners, including key government and CSO counterparts, donors, and other partners.

This position requires excellent programme management and organizational skills, including knowledge of the entire programming life cycle, i.e. planning, implementation, oversight, monitoring and evaluation, communications, and efficient operations in line with UNDP programme and operations policies and procedures (POPP).

Duties and Responsibilities

Support Programme Formulation, Pipeline Management and Resource Planning

  • Support the formulation of programme strategies and implementation of Country Programme Documents (CPDs), including by providing relevant background information and evidence to inform programme planning and future programming.
  • Provide inputs for the preparation and review of project documents, annual work plans, budgets, proposals, and other programme-related documentation, including information on implementation arrangements.
  • Draft and provide input for the development of briefing notes, concept notes, proposals, and other documents related to pipeline development and resource mobilization.
  • Ensure effective pipeline management by facilitating and maintaining up-to-date information on prospective projects, funding opportunities, resource requirements, and project development status.
  • Support preparation and monitoring of DPC/DES cost recovery projections and related information for projects.
  • Provide relevant programme, financial and implementation information to support decision-making, identify implementation arrangements and address potential bottlenecks during project formulation and implementation.

Provide effective support to Programme and Project Implementation, Resource Management and Oversight

  • Create projects in the ERP system and support budget revisions, project status changes, determination of unutilized funds, and operational and financial closure of projects.
  • Provide day-to-day guidance to implementing and responsible partners and project teams on programme implementation, financial management and applicable UNDP rules and procedures, and monitor the utilization of financial resources.
  • Ensure monitoring and follow up of corporate dashboards and other programme and project performance requirements, including tracking indicators, targets, milestones and success criteria, and maintaining accurate programme data.
  • Support the preparation of programme, project and donor reports and other reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable donor guidelines and UNDP rules and regulations.

Reporting, Compliance, Quality Assurance and Records Management

  • Identify programme and project implementation bottlenecks, coordinate follow-up with relevant stakeholders, and propose practical solutions to facilitate timely implementation.
  • Provide effective oversight of specific funding requirements, including Vertical Funds, Funding Windows, European Union, joint programmes and other third-party cost sharing donors in line with UNDP POPP and applicable donor requirements.
  • Organize oversight and monitoring processes for the implementation of HACT requirements, including follow-up on HACT assessments, micro-assessments, assurance activities and related financial management actions, and provide guidance to implementing partners on compliance with HACT requirements.
  • Ensure internal and external programme/project audits through preparation and review of supporting documentation, follow-up on audit queries, and monitoring of audit recommendations.
  • Provide administrative and quality assurance support to the Programme Unit, including review of technical reports and payment requests, maintenance of expenditure records and coordination with relevant units to address issues and ensure timely corrective action.
  • Maintain accurate programme and project records, databases and filing systems to support effective implementation, monitoring and reporting.

Support implementation of the CO partnership and resource mobilization strategies

  • Contribute to the implementation of the Country Office partnership and resource mobilization strategies by providing relevant analysis and information on donors, funding opportunities and partnership prospects.
  • Prepare and maintain up-to-date donor profiles and the unit’s resource mobilization pipeline, including tracking prospective and confirmed funding opportunities.
  • Track and report on mobilized resources and support the review of contribution agreements and management of contributions in the ERP system.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

  • Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme/project and operations personnel in assigned programme area.
  • Compile lessons learned and best practices.
  • Provide contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice and digital knowledge platforms.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Analyst, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the programme by supporting programme implementation and oversight, consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area Name Definition
Digital Data analysis
  • Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making
Business Management Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
  • 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.
Business Development Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into

useful knowledge, relevant for context, or

responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply

existing concepts to new situations, and to develop

new concepts to generate workable solutions and

new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts,

conceptual models, and theories that can be

useful in addressing new situations.
Business Management Risk Management
  • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management Results-based Management
  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Finance Budget Management
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

Secondary education is required. Or

A university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Finance or a related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Min. years of relevant work experience

A minimum of seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant, progressively responsible programme/project support or administrative/management experience is required at the national and/or international level.

Required skills
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages MS Office (including MS Word, Excel, Power Point etc.) and web-based management systems such as ERP.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
  • Experience working in UNDP core thematic areas of work, including sustainable growth, governance, environment, climate change and energy.
  • Knowledge of and Experience with specific donor funding requirements (e.g., vertical funds, or EU, or Japan, etc.) is an asset.
  • Experience in development programme work in the UN system, multilateral and/or bilateral organizations is highly desirable.
  • Experience with ERP system and platforms of UNDP (e.g., Quantum, Quantum+. Unity etc.).
  • Experience in developing new projects, including budget and workplan set up, costing and monitoring.
  • Excellent knowledge of UNDP programme and project management policies and guidelines.
Required Language(s)
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Fluency in one of the national languages (Sinhala or Tamil) is required.

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

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

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