Mission and objectivesUNDP is the UNโs global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP in Mozambique supports the Government of Mozambique to achieve sustainable development, create opportunities for empowerment, particularly for women and the most vulnerable, protect the environment, deal with disasters and build resilience, establish strategic partnerships; to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
ContextThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading United Nations organization tackling the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments, and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been a committed partner to Mozambiqueโs development since 1976, working closely with the government, civil society, academia, and the private sector to advance sustainable development. Guided by its Country Programme Document and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNDP Mozambique focuses on four transformative pillars: 1. Human development, multi-dimensional poverty, gender equality, and public health management; 2. Inclusive economic recovery and diversification, and sustainable livelihoods; 3. Climate resilience and sustainable use of natural resources; 4. Inclusive and decentralized governance, justice, peace, and social cohesion. Economic Challenges in Mozambique Mozambique faces significant economic challenges, including instability, climate-related vulnerabilities, and security concerns, which impede progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and the National Strategy for Development. The countryโs economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture and extractive industries, which together account for a significant portion of economic output and exports. Agriculture sustains the livelihoods of 70% of the population, while extractive industries contribute approximately 80% of exports. Despite strong economic growth over the past two decades, poverty and inequality persist, as economic expansion has not been equitably distributed. Mozambique ranks 100 out of 114 countries on the Economic Diversification Index (Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government), highlighting the need for targeted interventions to enhance economic complexity and stability. Economic Diversification Portfolio In collaboration with Mozambiqueโs Ministry of Economy and provincial governments in Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Manica, UNDP is implementing the Economic Diversification Portfolio (hereafter referred to as the Portfolio). This initiative aims to strengthen economic resilience and inclusivity by reducing Mozambiqueโs reliance on subsistence agriculture and extractive industries. By fostering a more diverse production and trade structure that adds value, enhancing economic stability, and reducing vulnerability to external and internal shocks, the Portfolio seeks to lay the foundation for long-term sustainable growth and poverty eradication. The Portfolio operates within an integrated and dynamic framework, to ensure synergy across interventions and achieve strategic development outcomes. Recognizing the complexity and interdependence of Mozambiqueโs economic system, this holistic approach is designed to increase impact and sustainability. The Portfolio Specialist will play a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the Economic Diversification Portfolio in Mozambique. Under the direct supervision of the Head of Solutions Mapping and the Senior Economist, and in collaboration with the Economic Policy Analysis Unit (EPAU) and Inclusive Growth Unit (IGU) teams, the Portfolio Specialist will support the Portfolio Manager in driving portfolio implementation and leading key activities.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Head of Solutions Mapping and the Senior Economist and in collaboration with the EPAU and IGU teams, the Portfolio Specialist will support the Portfolio Manager in driving the portfolio implementation. Portfolio Management โข Support the Portfolio Manager in the overall management and administration of the Portfolioโs projects and initiatives, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of all outputs. โข Work closely with the portfolio team(s) and other staff assigned to the Portfolioโs projects and initiatives to ensure effective implementation of project activities. โข Support in the preparation the Portfolioโs work plans and support the Portfolio Manager in ensuring timely and high-quality implementation of activities. โข Participate in the mobilization efforts and assist in supervising contractorsโ work. โข Work with the Portfolio Manager to manage and update the portfolio implementation strategy in coordination with partners and the portfolio team. โข Provide support in preparing regular updates to project boards and ensuring the proper documentation of the Portfolio and the Portfolioโs projects and initiatives. โข Support the Portfolio Manager in ensuring all the Portfolioโs outputs and deliverables meet high-quality standards. Monitoring, Risk Management, and Reporting: โข Assist in monitoring the Portfolioโs expenditures to ensure compliance with financial rules and procedures. โข Work with the Portfolio Manager to manage the Portfolioโs risks, providing updates on emerging issues and proposing remedial actions. Partnership Development, and Coordination โข Support the Portfolio Manager in maintaining regular communication and effective coordination with national counterparts, portfolio partners, and stakeholders. โข Assist in incorporating best practices and lessons learned on economic diversification globally. โข Help identify and mobilize new partnerships and funding sources to support new projects and initiatives. โข Provide assistance in the development of new pipeline initiatives aligned with UNDPโs strategic objectives and Mozambiqueโs development priorities. โข If needed, represent UNDP in relevant forums as needed and help maintain a strong network of partners. โข Contribute to the preparation of policy briefs, talking points, and relevant materials on economic diversification in coordination with the Portfolio Manager. Team Management: โข Support the Portfolio Manager in developing and supporting the portfolio team, facilitating professional growth and knowledge-sharing. โข Foster a collaborative team environment and ensure capacity-building opportunities for team members
Competencies and valuesโข Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. โข Think innovatively: Open to create ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. โข Learn Continuously: Open minded and curios, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. โข Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. โข Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity. โข Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understand towards others, forms positive relationships. โข Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate / respect differences, award of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
Living conditions and remarksMaputo, Mozambique, offers a vibrant and dynamic environment for international personnel, blending rich cultural experiences with fairly modern infrastructure. The security situation is generally stable, but vigilance and adherence to UN protocols are advised. The city enjoys a tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Maputoโs cost of living is relatively high, with varied accommodation options ranging from modern apartments to serviced residences. Food, water, and electricity are typically available, though occasional disruptions may occur. Medical facilities are adequate for general needs, but specialized care may require regional or international travel. Reliable banking and communication infrastructure support daily living. Mozambique is a unique country, and working in Maputo provides a rare opportunity to contribute to its development while experiencing its rich cultural heritage. The assignment offers a stimulating and rewarding professional environment, but it also demands a high level of cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and resilience. Conditions of Service for international UN Volunteers The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The VLA is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,736. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - https://icsc.un.org/ In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.