Background
The Raising Inclusion and Safeguarding Elections in BARMM (RISE-BARMM) project, implemented under UNDP's Electoral Compass initiative with support from AECID, aims to enhance democratic participation, electoral integrity, and political inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The initiative responds to critical challenges such as voter disenfranchisement, misinformation, and systemic barriers affecting marginalized groups, including women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and LGBTQI+ communities. With the first parliamentary elections in BARMM approaching in 2026, the project seeks to bridge knowledge gaps and strengthen institutional capacities to safeguard electoral processes.
The project is structured around two key components: voter education and AI-driven electoral monitoring. It will develop gender- and culturally sensitive voter education materials, ensuring accessibility through local dialect translations and digital outreach campaigns. Additionally, it will enhance the Commission on Elections' (COMELEC) ability to combat AI-generated misinformation by introducing monitoring tools, complemented by technical training for COMELEC personnel, allowing them to identify disinformation trends and strengthen enforcement of digital campaigning guidelines in the elections.
Aligned with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peaceful and Inclusive Societies), RISE-BARMM supports broader efforts to foster democratic resilience. By tackling information pollution and institutional gaps, the initiative empowers marginalized populations, strengthens governance structures, and safeguards electoral transparency. Through strategic stakeholder engagement, including partnerships with civil society organizations, media, and academic institutions, the project advances inclusive political participation, ensuring equitable access to electoral processes for all communities in BARMM and beyond.
UNDP is looking for a Project Officer, who will form part of the Project Management Unit (PMU). The Project Officer will support the PMU in the day-to-day implementation of the project. The Project Officer is expected to liaise with key partners, prepare activity designs, develop Terms of Reference, conduct meetings with partners, ensure proper adherence to corporate requirements including monitoring and evaluation, and is able to conduct research for development of project documents. This involves working closely with the UNDP Institutions and Partnerships Programme (I&P) Team, UNDP Results and Quality Team (RQT), and other key stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
Overall direction, guidance, and day-to-day supervision shall be provided by the UNDP Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships while day-to-day supervision shall be performed by the Project Manager with oversight from the Programme Analyst. The selected individual will also provide indirect oversight to the Project Associate, either on behalf of the Project Manager (PM) or as delegated by the PM.ย
Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, and working closely with the rest of the members of the PMU and stakeholders, with oversight from the Institutions and Partnerships Programme Team, the Project Officer will:ย
Support the implementation of the activities of the project, measured by the indicators defined in the Project Document and Annual Work Plans:
Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the approved workplan.ย Execute activities by managing consultants, goods and services and trainings, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and overseeing all contractorsโ work. Supervise consultants and sub-contractors. Review technical reports and substantively contribute to development of technical knowledge products and other deliverables obtained from consultants and contractors, ensure technical assessment and control of quality. Oversee and manage the project's technical progress, ensuring that performance targets are met and progress indicators are delivered on schedule.Ensure implementation of the project activities, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Ensure that all project activities and financial processes fully comply with UNDP rules and policies, including accurate financial reporting, proper use of funds, effective internal controls, and timely audit follow-up. In consultation with the Project team, contributes to setting of delivery targets and monitoring of project expenditures.ย ยSupport to report writing, analysis, procurement, monitoring and evaluation of the project focusing on achievement of the following results:
Work closely with Project Manager to develop and manage the project's results and monitoring frameworks in a timely manner, ensuring that indicators are aligned with the Project Document and Annual Work Plans. Regularly monitor project implementation, gather data, and analyze performance against targets using UNDP monitoring systems and tools, while providing timely and actionable feedback to ensure that emerging issues are promptly identified and addressed. Draft M&E reports, policy briefs, and lessons-learned documents based on data gathered throughout the project lifecycle. Oversee the contribution to weekly, bi-monthly, quarterly, mid-year, annual, donor reports and any other reporting requirements. Oversee national partner reporting, as relevant, and where necessary help them to improve in line with UNDP and project reporting standard. Ensure effective documentation, filing, and sharing of M&E outputs and knowledge products with internal and external stakeholders.ย Promote information sharing and coordination with other components and UNDP projectsDevelop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the strategic positioning of the project.
Build and maintain an effective relationship with key partners and stakeholders and keep an updated partner database for coordination and sharing with other project teams Develop and finalize Memorandum of Agreements, Responsible Party agreements, or other relevant legal instruments with relevant entitiesย Promote coordination, dialogue, and good practice knowledge sharing among stakeholders; and Ensure effective collaboration with UNDP and other development partnersยProvide additional support to the Program Management Unit and the Programme Team at the request of the Project Manager.ย
Act as deputy in the absence of the Project Manager and ensure that the project status and deliverables will remain on track. Prepare other program requirements, such as the activity designs, briefing notes, talking points, one-pager, slide decks, among othersย Provide technical support in organizing Project meetings including Project Board and Technical Working Group meetings, and other relevant stakeholders, including government and private sector partners.ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process. Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.People Managementย
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย
Dataย ย ย ย
Data analysisย - Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.Business Direction & Strategyย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Partnership managementย ย ย ย ย
Relationship management - Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.Business Management
Monitoring and Evaluation Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively. Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.ย Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.ย Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.ย Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.2030 Agenda: Peace
Governanceย ย ย Inclusion and Participation of Marginalized Groups Womenโs political participationย2030 Agenda: People ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Gender - Inclusive Governance and womenโs participation and representationRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Business Management, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, or related area is required A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the fields mentioned above in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.ยExperience:
Minimum two (2) years (with masterโs degree) or four (4) years (with bachelorโs degree) of progressively responsible administrative or program experience at the national or international level is required.ยRequired skills ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Strong demonstrated experience coordinating and facilitating stakeholder engagement processes, including working groups and consultations with government, civil society, or international development partners. Working knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM) frameworks including indicator tracking, work planning, and monitoring and evaluation. Proficiency in using computers and office software, and knowledge of web-based management system is an asset.Desired skillsย
At least 2 years working experience in the UN system or with international organization at local or international level.ย At least 3 -years of experience in Project/Programme development and management, public policy, governance and systems reforms; and/or implementing a development program related to elections, local governance and/or public sector transformation. Demonstrated experience in developing policies that support gender-equitable participation in elections. Experience in gender mainstreaming within governance and electoral projects. Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce technical reports, policy briefs, and implementation documents.ยRequired Languages
Fluency in English and Filipino is required.Professional Certificatesย ย ย ย ย ย
Program management certification or equivalent will be advantageous.ยSample worksย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Submit at least two sample works, such as technical reports, policy briefs, implementation plans, or similar documents.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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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.
ย