Project Officer - Innovation in Sustainable Design; Internal & External

Project Officer – Innovation In Sustainable Design

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.

The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) is a lab for Innovation in Sustainable Design and green transition, and a cross-cultural space for dialogue on climate, peace and security between Denmark & Egypt. A new four-year phase of DEDI started in 2025 financed under the Danish Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP). The new phase is designed to address the challenges and opportunities of climate change, circular economy, green transition and Innovation in Sustainable Design.

DEDI implement activities on the following three components: i) Innovation in sustainable design by youth; ii) Green environmental literacy for youth; and iii) Youth dialogue on climate and security. DEDI is hosted by UNDP in Egypt with a range of Danish and Egyptian organizations and experts engaged to lead DEDI's dialogue and exchange activities in Egypt and Denmark.

As the host institution and implementing agency for DEDI, UNDP Egypt implements the initiative, ensuring alignment with broader development priorities and providing technical, operational and administrative support. Under the new phase of DEDI ), UNDP is responsible for grant management, partnership development, financial oversight, and technical guidance across all three components. UNDP's involvement ensures that DEDI benefits from its extensive expertise in sustainable development, youth engagement, and climate action, as well as its established networks with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.

Furthermore, UNDP will support capacity-building efforts, monitoring, and reporting in line with its Results-Based Management (RBM) standards, ensuring that DEDI's activities contribute effectively to the Danish Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) and Egypt's green transition agenda.

To support the effective implementation of the Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) under its new phase (2024–2028), UNDP Egypt is recruiting a Project Officer – Innovation in Sustainable Design (NPSA-9) to provide technical support, partnerships and programme coordination to DEDI. The position will support the implementation of Component 1:
Innovation in Sustainable Design, with a focus on youth, innovation, green transition, and entrepreneurship.

The role will contribute to the design and delivery of innovation programmes, including incubation cycles, partnerships with SMEs and ecosystem actors, and the development of youth-led business models and technical solutions, while supporting monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management to inform continuous learning and programme improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the DEDI Project Technical Expert and guidance of the DEDI Project Manager, the Project Officer – Innovation in Sustainable Design will:

• Provide programme technical support and advisory
• Support the coordination and implementation of programme activities related to innovation, youth, entrepreneurship, and skills for the green transition, ensuring efficient and timely delivery.
• Develop and co-create programme concepts for bootcamps, ideation activities, incubation cycles, mentoring, and showcase events in collaboration with a range of partners in Egypt and Denmark.
• Design and lead calls for proposals, including the selection and onboarding…