Senior Project Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) serves as the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. Established to support member States in achieving sustainable development goals, ESCAP focuses on evidence-based policy research, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives. The organization operates across multiple countries in the Asia-Pacific region, employing a diverse workforce dedicated to fostering economic and social development. ESCAP's mission is to promote inclusive and sustainable development through regional cooperation and partnerships, addressing critical issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Manager will play a pivotal role in the management and coordination of the UN-PIIF Joint SDG Fund project, which aims to harness institutional investment funds for accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Pacific region. This position requires a high level of expertise in sustainable finance and project management, as the consultant will be responsible for developing inception reports, conducting baseline capacity assessments, and establishing project-level monitoring mechanisms. The Senior Project Manager will work closely with various UN partners and the PIIF Secretariat to ensure that project activities are aligned with the ProDoc deliverables and milestones. The role also involves facilitating stakeholder engagement, coordinating technical assistance, and ensuring that project outputs are delivered on time and meet quality standards. The consultant will be expected to maintain effective communication with all stakeholders, manage risks, and provide comprehensive reports on project progress.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Manager will undertake a variety of duties, including but not limited to:

• Project planning and delivery coordination: Establishing the Joint Programme delivery architecture, preparing inception reports, maintaining an integrated implementation tracker, and facilitating UN inter-agency joint planning sessions.
• Results-based monitoring, reporting, and performance: Leading project-level tracking of progress, preparing periodic progress reports, identifying performance gaps, and capturing lessons learned.
• Joint SDG Fund management and compliance coordination: Monitoring budget execution, tracking contractual requirements, and leading risk management efforts.
• Steering Committee and stakeholder engagement: Coordinating with the PIIF Secretariat, servicing the JP Steering Committee, and maintaining effective communication channels among stakeholders.
• Conducting a baseline capacity assessment of PIIF members and the Secretariat, including structured interviews, desk research, and benchmarking against international norms.
• Preparing a consolidated baseline report with capacity maturity ratings and prioritized recommendations for capacity-building programs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as finance, economics, or public policy. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Completion of programs in data analytics or business analytics is advantageous. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainable development project management is required, including experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and partnership strategies. Knowledge of sustainable finance and experience with pension funds and institutional investors in the Pacific region are desirable. Strong interpersonal, drafting, facilitation, and coordination skills are essential, along with proficiency in project management tools and structured documentation.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or higher in finance, economics, public policy, or a related discipline. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. Additional training or certification in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to analyze and interpret data effectively in the context of sustainable finance.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainable development project or programme management. Candidates should have experience in multi-stakeholder coordination, designing and implementing partnership strategies, and working within financial institutions or regulatory capacities. Proven experience in leading results-based projects, managing risks, and resolving operational issues is essential. Familiarity with the Pacific region's development priorities and coordination frameworks is also desirable.

Languages:
Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if relevant to the Pacific region or the stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last from 15 November 2026 to 15 November 2027, with a total compensation of USD 84,000 for twelve months, contingent upon satisfactory delivery of final deliverables. The consultant's performance will be jointly assessed by ESCAP and RCO Samoa MCO, and final payment authorization will depend on confirmation of satisfactory output delivery. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring process.