Project Management

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) was established in 1963 as a training arm of the United Nations system and is now headquartered in Geneva. In 2021, UNITAR reached over 370,000 learners globally through innovative learning solutions. We seek to empower individuals, organizations and institutions, enhance global decision-making and support country-level action towards a better future. Our alumni include diplomats and other government officials, non-governmental representatives, private-sector actors and local authorities.

The Division for Prosperity is one of the nine divisions of UNITAR and consists of the Hiroshima Office and the Geneva-based Public Finance and Trade Programme Unit. To “leave no one behind,” we promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and strive to reach society’s most vulnerable in the least developed countries, small island developing states, and conflict and post-conflict countries.

The Division for Prosperity runs training programmes in six thematic areas:

1. Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
2. Leadership and Inclusion
3. Finance and Trade
4. Digital Futures
5. Anti-corruption and Combating Financial Crime
6. Hiroshima and Peace

The UNITAR Hiroshima Office will initiate projects closely aligned with Japan’s overall policy to support human security and, particularly, the Government of Japan’s crucial regional framework, the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), which aims to enhance the connectivity of the Indo-Pacific region, foster the region into a place that values freedom, the rule of law, free from force or coercion, and make it prosperous. The Programme aims to provide government officials and activists in the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries with the skills, knowledge, and capacity to enhance and secure climate, social, economic, food, and maritime securities and develop a basis of coordination mechanism across the Pacific.

To achieve those project objectives, the programme will need one Project Lead to manage and implement the project.

The incumbent will lead the project management and implementation in each region under the guidance of the Programme Officer.  

1. Lead the planning, implementation, and reporting on the assigned project:
   • Provide input to the development of course structure
   • Prepare and produce training materials and online content
   • Communicate with resource persons, vendors, local partners, participants coaches, and UN Online Volunteers
   • Coordinate preparations for project launch and coordinate with the experts and resource persons. Stages of preparation include gathering nominations/applications, selecting the participants, developing learning materials/assignments, and other tasks
   • Provide support to ensure the smooth conduct of workshops and online training sessions, in close coordination with the programme team
   • Compile and analyse the training evaluation data for project reports
   • Prepare promotional and outreach materials to increase the visibility of the training, in close coordination with the communications team.
2. Conduct research and provide an analysis of new learning methodologies and perspectives in training for the Division for Prosperity. This includes but not limited to identifying steps to adopt new technologies and to conceptualize new programmes/projects
3. Provide mentoring and coaching to colleagues in project management
4. Develop partnerships and pursue relevant resource mobilization opportunities
5. Undertake other tasks as requested by the request of Programme Officer.

• Online and in-person workshops for the assigned programmes prepared and smoothly launched
• Online and in-person sessions facilitated as required
• Training evaluation data compiled and data analysis reports prepared
• Project completion reports for assigned programmes prepared
• Effective and timely communications within the programme team and with other teams in the Division for Prosperity as well as with colleagues in the relevant sections in the headquarters
• Timely logistical support to the programme team provided

• Timely delivery and quality deliverables
• Smooth communications within the Division and with relevant teams based in UNITAR headquarters
• Knowledge and expertise on subject matter relevant to the assigned programmes
• Positive feedback from key stakeholders, including donors and training participants

The incumbent will report to the Programme Officer, Hiroshima Office, Division for Prosperity.

Education: Advanced level of university degree or equivalent in project management, social science, international relations, development, or related area.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience in project management, ideally in fields of human security, governance, climate change, or related field is required. Experience in supporting project implementation or event organization in international organizations will be a strong asset. Working experiences in ASEAN or Pacific Island States will be a strong asset.  

Language: Working language proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.