About the opportunity
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with national authorities and funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is implementing the DAHI-Sentinelle project to support security governance and local resilience in Côte d’Ivoire. The project runs from July 2026 to December 2030 and addresses regional security threats, community tensions, and economic vulnerabilities. The Project Specialist will assume strategic leadership, operational management, and overall coordination of the project, overseeing the Project Management Unit (PMU), donor reporting, and high-level institutional partnerships.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive international salary package under the International Personnel Service Agreement (IPSA-11) framework
- Opportunity to lead a major multi-year international development and security governance initiative
- Professional engagement with high-level governmental authorities, UN agencies, and international donors
Who can apply?
- Open to applicants matching Levels 0, 1, and 2 as specified in the tiered recruitment approach (internal UNDP/UNCDF/UNV personnel holding permanent, fixed-term, or temporary contracts, regular PSA contract holders, and UN Volunteers)
- Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, security studies, project management, international development, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience
- Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the aforementioned fields combined with 9 years of relevant professional experience
- Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and multi-year budgets
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, spreadsheets, and databases
- Fluency in French (oral and written) is required; strong proficiency in English is highly desirable
Required documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Completed application form via the online portal
When to apply
- Opening Date: September 25, 2026
- Closing Date: October 3, 2026 (03:59:00 UTC)
How to apply
- Access the official Oracle Recruiting Cloud portal via the provided link
- Review eligibility against the stated recruitment tiers (Levels 0, 1, & 2)
- Submit your application online before the October 3, 2026 deadline
Additional information
- Contract Duration: 6 months
- Grade: IPSA-11
- Requisition Type: International PSA – Regular
- Duty Station: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Ideal for experienced development professionals with a strong background in security governance, conflict prevention, or peacebuilding.
- Well-suited for candidates with robust experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and complex multi-year donor-funded projects.
- A strong match for bilingual francophone professionals who also possess professional proficiency in English for donor reporting.
What should you think carefully about?
- The role is subject to specific internal UN recruitment tiers (Levels 0, 1, and 2), restricting eligibility primarily to existing UNDP/UNCDF/UNV personnel and regular PSA holders.
- The initial contract duration is relatively short at 6 months, requiring quick adjustment and high-impact delivery.
- Relocation to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire is required for the duration of the assignment.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role offers an exceptional platform for mid-to-senior development practitioners seeking to deepen their leadership profile within the UN system by steering a high-profile security and resilience project in West Africa. It directly builds competencies in multi-stakeholder diplomacy, donor relations, and complex project execution.
Our take
Qualified internal candidates and eligible personnel within the specified recruitment tiers who possess substantial expertise in peacebuilding and project management should apply promptly before the October 3, 2026 deadline. External applicants not meeting the tiered criteria should note that this specific vacancy is restricted.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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