Host entity: UNDP

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Administration, Community development, Information technology and telecommunications

Application deadline: 06/09/2026

Mission and objectives

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

The UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa (WACA) otherwise known as the Dakar Hub is part of the larger Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA) and is situated in Dakar, Senegal. It aims at strengthening resilience and sustainable development in the Sahel and WACA region by accelerating effective implementation of regional initiatives and supporting the 24 UNDP Country Offices in the region. To this effect, the Dakar Hub is well positioned to facilitate partnerships with UN regional representations in the sub-region, Regional Economic Commissions (RECs), regional and sub-regional institutions, research centers and institutes, donor representations, and other international organizations.

The Dakar Hub’s offer for the region in spread out into five key areas
1. Governance; 2) Youth; 3) Renewable Energy; 4) Climate Action & 5) Livelihoods, economic recovery, and human mobility in fragile, crisis and post crisis context.

Assignment context

The assignment will be implemented within the UNDP Senegal Country Office, in support of the Governance portfolio and the broader United Nations contribution to SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions. UNDP Senegal works closely with national institutions, local authorities, civil society, communities, development partners and other UN agencies to promote inclusive, accountable and effective governance, strengthen access to justice, support decentralization and local development, digitalisation and advance gender equality and human rights. Key national partners include, among others, the Ministry of Justice, including structures working on access to justice, human rights, digital justice and good governance; the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Cooperation; the Ministry of Local Authorities, Territorial Development and Land-use Planning; the Ministry of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection; the Ministry of Digital Economy and Telecommunications and relevant digital transformation institutions; local and regional authorities, including municipalities and regional development agencies; national human rights and governance bodies; and civil society organizations working on justice, transparency, women’s empowerment, youth participation, social cohesion and community development. Based in Diamniadio, the UN Volunteer will join a multidisciplinary and collaborative team environment that combines policy support, programme implementation, monitoring and reporting, knowledge management and partnership engagement. The assignment offers an opportunity to contribute to meaningful governance initiatives that respond to national priorities, while gaining practical experience in a UN country office setting. The UN Volunteer will support analytical, coordination and programme-related tasks, contribute to evidence-based reporting and communication of results, and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders involved in governance, institutional strengthening and sustainable development in Senegal.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Team Leader Governance Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

•Support the Governance Unit in the day-to-day implementation, coordination and fol-low-up of programme activities related to democratic governance, access to justice, de-centralization, local development, gender equality and institutional strengthening.

•Assist in the preparation, review and updating of annual workplans, activity plans, con-cept notes, terms of reference, meeting agendas, briefing notes and other programme documents, in line with UNDP procedures and quality standards.

•Contribute to the collection, organization and analysis of programme information, data and evidence to support monitoring, reporting and communication of results, including inputs for progress reports, donor updates, dashboards and management briefs.

•Support coordination with national institutions, local authorities, civil society organiza-tions, development partners, UN agencies and other stakeholders, including through meeting preparation, note-taking, follow-up of action points and maintenance of contact lists.

•Assist in the logistical and substantive preparation of workshops, consultations, field missions, trainings and partner meetings, including drafting background materials, sup-porting participant coordination and compiling mission or event reports.

•Support knowledge management by helping document lessons learned, good practices, success stories and innovative approaches emerging from governance-related interven-tions in Senegal.

•Contribute to the integration of gender equality, youth participation, inclusion, human rights and the principle of leaving no one behind in programme planning, implementa-tion, monitoring and reporting.

•Assist the team in maintaining organized programme records, files and supporting doc-umentation, and contribute to internal coordination, information sharing and compliance with relevant UNDP programme management requirements.

•Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor, in line with the learning and support nature of the UN Volunteer Associate assignment.

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in:

Democratic governance, public administration, institutional strengthening, decentralization, local development, access to justice, rule of law, human rights and gender equality.

•Programme support, project coordination, monitoring and reporting, research and anal-ysis, data collection, knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, event organi-zation and communication for development.

•Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Skills in:

•Programme and project support, including planning, coordination, implementation fol-low-up, monitoring, reporting and documentation of results.

•Research, analysis and communication skills, including drafting briefing notes, meeting minutes, reports, presentations, knowledge products and communication materials in a multicultural environment.

•Stakeholder coordination and partnership engagement, including organizing meetings, supporting consultations, following up on action points and working respectfully with national institutions, local authorities, civil society and UN partners.

•Digital literacy and knowledge management, including proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and the ability to organize information, maintain records, manage data and sup-port collaborative work processes.

Competencies and values

•Accountability

•Adaptability and Flexibility

•Building Trust

•Client Orientation

•Commitment and Motivation

•Commitment to Continuous Learning

•Communication

•Creativity

•Empowering Others

•Ethics and Values

•Integrity

•Judgement and Decision-making

•Knowledge Sharing

•Leadership

•Managing Performance

•Planning and Organizing

•Professionalism

•Respect for Diversity

•Self-Management

•Technological Awareness

•Vision

•Working in Teams

Living conditions

Senegal is generally considered a stable and welcoming country in West Africa, known for its tradition of hospitality, social cohesion and vibrant cultural life. The assignment is based in Diamniadio, near Dakar, which is a family duty station and benefits from access to most urban services, including housing, schools, health facilities, banks, supermarkets, restaurants, internet and mobile networks. Dakar and its surrounding areas offer relatively good living conditions, although traffic congestion, occasional water or electricity disruptions, and seasonal heavy rains may affect daily life. The climate is generally warm and sunny, with a rainy season usually from around June to October. Health services are more developed in Dakar than in other regions, and UN Volunteers should ensure they have appropriate medical insurance, follow UN medical and security guidance, and bring any specific prescription medication they may require. Public and private transport options are available, including taxis, ride-hailing services, buses and the Regional Express Train linking Dakar with Diamniadio and the airport area. Senegal is a family duty station, but UN Volunteers are expected to remain vigilant, follow UNDSS security advice, take normal precautions against petty theft, and respect local customs, languages and cultural practices. French is the official language and Wolof is widely spoken, while English may be used in some international and professional settings.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.