Programme Advisor [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Full-time

Juba, South Sudan

Posted on Oct 27, 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

South Sudan gained its independence in 2011 following a long and protracted civil war. Since then, two significant conflicts broke out (December 2013 and July 2016) plunging the country into a deep economic, social, and political crisis which have undermined the development gains achieved since independence and exacerbated the continuing humanitarian crisis. The country is endowed with vast natural resources and economic potential that has not translated into improved standards of living for the citizens. It is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts with rising temperatures and the increasing severity of drought and flood events having major negative impacts on lives and livelihoods. Such impacts compounded food insecurity, conflicts, and a macroeconomic crisis. Capacity-constrained institutions and fragile governance in the post-conflict context add to the challenges of climate change adaptation in South Sudan.

South Sudan is a low-income, oil-dependent economy, faces significant humanitarian, political, and climate-related challenges, categorized by limited infrastructure, high vulnerability to shocks, low domestic production, and a narrow export base dominated by oil. In 2026, the country's nominal GDP is estimated at approximately US$6.03 billion, with a GDP per capita of around US$345, substantially below the global average of US$10,589. Despite these constraints, South Sudan possesses considerable development potential, with approximately 70 per cent of its land being arable, although only about 4 per cent is currently cultivated. Economic growth continues to be hindered by prolonged crises, including economic decline, armed conflict, displacement, insecurity, climate shocks, and weak institutional capacity, all of which undermine domestic and cross-border trade as well as agricultural, livestock, and fisheries production. Nevertheless, the country offers significant opportunities for investment and economic transformation in sectors such as oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development, particularly in roads, telecommunications, and hydropower, which could drive economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable development if supported by greater stability, improved governance, and increased investment.

South Sudan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, facing recurrent floods, droughts, extreme weather events, and shifting rainfall patterns. These impacts exacerbate food insecurity, water scarcity, land degradation, and conflict over natural resources. With livelihoods heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture and pastoralism, climate variability significantly undermines resilience and sustainable development. The environment and natural resources of South Sudan are the foundation for economic and social development to satisfy important economic, social, cultural, and political needs of its peoples. However, climate change coupled with human activities are posing a threat to the quality of environment, mostly resulting from unsustainable use of natural resources and pollution from agricultural development. Land degradation poses serious threats to food security, water availability, adaptation and mitigation to climate change and the livelihoods of the people of South Sudan.

Flooding has affected 1.35 million people across 39 counties in eight states, displacing nearly 375,600 people, many sheltering on higher ground with livestock. Sudan Conflict added to already worsen humanitarian situation. South Sudan received more than 1.35 million refugees and returnees, this situation requires a need for robust durable solution framework, strengthening the capacity of relevant institution such as Relief and rehabilitation and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MoHADM) to lead the preparedness response, recovery and reintegration efforts.

UNDP, in partnership with the Ministries of Environment and Forestry and Finance and Planning and other relevant stakeholders, will support the government to implement the NDC and NAP with a focus on: a) the government pledge to plant 100 million trees; b) promoting climate-smart and resilient agricultural technology and watershed development; c) providing thought leadership to various technical and strategic groups; and d) promoting the use of and increase access to clean energy through the generation and distribution of affordable, green energy solutions for public institutions and communities. In addition, the CO is also supporting Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) develop South Sudan's Carbon Market Readiness Framework under Article 6 of Paris Agreement, A new initiative on Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) is being rolled out which aims to develop national biodiversity finance plans (BFP).

Youth unemployment, estimated at 50%, is both a cause and a consequence of fragility. Therefore, addressing youth unemployment in South Sudan could drive its peace, stability and economic development. Thus, there is an urgent need for the creation of employment opportunities through strengthening the private sector, skills and entrepreneurship development, and promoting the provision of quality business development services, innovative financing and capital, facilitation of access to local and national markets, and strengthening the enabling environment for enterprise growth

The Stabilization Recovery and Resilience (StaRR) Unit adopted a portfolio approach in programming, establishing the complementarity and development of programmes and projects to enhance the achievement of relevant Country Programme Document (CPD) targets and focusing it on four major areas/portfolios, namely, Youth and Women Empowerment and Empowerment; Climate Change and Environment; Durable Solutions and Disaster Risk Management; and Trade. The programme portfiolio of the StaRR unit has been progressively expanding in terms of funding and engagement managing to significantly contribute towards the achievement of UNDP South Sudan’s CPD targets while expanding programmatic engagement and improving financial sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), the Programme Advisor Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience Unit will be responsible for providing technical advice for all aspects of UNDP South Sudan’s programme in the areas of youth and women empowerment, private sector development and trade, durable solution, disaster management and climate action, biodiversity, wildlife, providing strategic oversight to a portfolio of project initiatives, which are largely Directly Implemented (DIM) by UNDP, the main roles of the Programme Advisor are to provide strategic management of the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience programme, including leading the programme strategic planning and identification of new programme areas, resources mobilization, reporting and communication and provide quality assurance more especially knowledge management.

Summary of key functions:

Lead effective programme management and strategic oversight for Stabilization Recovery and Resilience focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Provide intellectual and substantive programme leadership to enhance poverty reduction, inclusive growth, disaster risk management, durable solution and environment, private sector development, Youth and Women empowerment through policy development, programme design and implementation to support national priorities;
  • Lead and guide programme and project formulation to support the development and implementation of effective pro-poor and inclusive and sustainable growth strategies and policies, including identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation;
  • Provide top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitate knowledge building and management particularly in the areas of poverty reduction and economic management issues;
  • Analyses the socio-economic and political situation and trends in the area and identifies opportunities and entry points for UNDP;
  • Ensures identification and promotion of joint programming and planning opportunities Identifies and develops new programme and project opportunities.

Provision of technical advisory leadership for programme implementation, including the development and oversight of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and ensuring quality assurance across programme activities.

  • Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the UNDP Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience ( StaRR) programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme including follow-up on audit recommendations, and donor reporting;
  • Provide technical leadership in the design and implementation of programme and project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks and plans, ensuring alignment of project results frameworks and M&E plans with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and UNDP Country Programme results frameworks;
  • Support the StaRR team and Country Office evaluations, manage engagement with the Evaluation Resource Centre (ERC), and follow up on the implementation of evaluation recommendations. Ensure UNDP’s active participation and representation in UNCT M&E working groups and related events and workshops;
  • Ensure that UNDP quality assurance standards are consistently applied in project and programme progress reports, Annual Progress Reports (APRs), Results-Oriented Annual Reports (ROAR), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) updates, and other corporate accountability and performance reporting requirements.

Lead Strategic Partnership & Resource Mobilization and Facilitate Knowledge Management focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Ensure development and maintenance of relevant professional contacts and networks of cooperation and support resource mobilization in cooperation with the Programme Management Support Unit;
  • Support the implementation of the UNDP South Sudan partnerships and resources mobilization strategy to achieve programme outcomes;
  • Creation and coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, and civil society working on issues related to Human Development and Inclusive Growth;
  • Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
  • Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing;
  • Ensure strong and strategic relationships with key government counterparts, and donors;
  • Ensures strong coordination of the UNDP programme with other UN Agencies, the Resident Coordinator Office, relevant units of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and other entities, including South Sudan Government institutions and local and nongovernmental actors, members of the diplomatic community, and UN headquarters;
  • Participates in relevant Government and UN interagency task forces, working groups, and/or theme groups for capacity development;
  • Makes sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
  • Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
  • Ensures proper coordination and inputs to interagency initiatives;
  • Maintains collaboration and coordination with the other Agencies to ensure programmatic integration and sharing of best practices;
  • Contributes to the development of the CO Partnership and Resource Mobilization (PRM) strategy, including planning tools to implement the strategy;
  • Identifies new partnerships and strengthens existing ones at the SO level through innovative approaches to partnership development;
  • Encourages ways of increasing Sub-Office funding base such as engaging in resource mobilization efforts in consultation with local counterparts and following up with donors on local opportunities;
  • Makes sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Programme Advisor works in close collaboration with the other programme Units (Democratic Governance and Global Fund, Strategic Policy Analysis Unit SPACE, Programme Management Support Unit PMSU), and the Operations team in the UNDP South Sudan Office to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery within the overall strategy and approach of UNDP in South Sudan.

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 site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

  • 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 other parts of the system
  • 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.

Business Management

  • Resource Management
    • Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity
  • Risk Management
    • Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks

2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness

  • Crisis management / Country Management Support
    • Resource mobilization for crisis response
  • Effectiveness
    • Social and Environmental Standards

2030 Agenda: Prosperity

  • Inclusive Growth
    • Youth economic empowerment

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Public Policy or related field is required. Or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years (with master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in programme management is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
  • Experience in establishing partnerships and inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.

Desired skills:

  • Extensive programming and managerial experience in post-conflict environments, and ability to work in hardship conditions.
  • Experience with durable solutions and disaster risk management
  • Experience in development of national Human Development Report
  • Experience in managing large teams

Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Working Knowledge of Arabic is desired.

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

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