Project Assistant– Youth & Indigenous Initiatives

Tiered Approach

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.

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the critical role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and calls for decisive action to address the economic, social, and political barriers that limit young people’s inclusion. UNDP Indonesia places youth at the center of its development agenda, recognizing young people as key drivers of economic, social, and environmental transformation. Through its country programme, UNDP focuses on equipping youth with future-ready skills, expanding access to quality education, decent work, and entrepreneurship, and strengthening youth participation in decision-making, particularly in the green and digital economy transitions.

Indonesia stands at a pivotal moment in harnessing its demographic dividend. In 2024, 64.22 million young people aged 16–30 years old, representing 24 percent of the population, underscore the strategic importance of youth in realizing Indonesia Emas 2045. In line with the Government of Indonesia’s Asta Cita, where youth empowerment is identified as the fourth national priority, and guided by the RPJMN 2025–2029, UNDP Indonesia remains committed to advancing youth economic empowerment. Through integrated policy support, innovation, and partnerships with government, the private sector, and civil society, UNDP ensures that youth, especially those in vulnerable situations, are not only beneficiaries of development, but active leaders shaping inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development pathways through implementation of:

Customary Law Communities/ Masyarakat Hukum Adat (MHA)

UNDP Indonesia and Ministry of Forestry have been collaborating the commitment to accelerating the recognition of Customary Forests as part of Indonesia’s national environmental and development agenda. A strong legal and policy foundation underpins this effort, anchored in Constitutional Court Decision No. 35/2012 (MK35) and reinforced by Ministerial Decree No. SK.144/2025, and extended by Ministerial Decree No.121/2026, which mandates the acceleration of recognition of MHA and Customary Forests as a national priority. As of 2025, approximately 366,955 hectares of customary forests have been legally recognized, benefiting more than 88,000 households across the country.

 

Modern and Adaptive Social Protection and Skills Development Systems for Transforming Indonesia - Global Accelerator (GA)

 Indonesia aims to become a high‑income country by 2045, eliminate extreme poverty, and achieve the SDGs by 2030. In line with the Global Accelerator Roadmap, the joint programme supports social and economic transformation by strengthening integrated social protection systems, expanding coverage to vulnerable groups, and improving efficiency through policy reform and institutional capacity‑building. It also enhances economic opportunities by aligning education and training with labor market needs, upgrading apprenticeships, improving vocational training financing, and supporting just transition capacities for policymakers and MSMEs. With a focus on SDGs 1, 4, and 8, the programme is expected to benefit 1,400 people directly and 58 million indirectly, leveraging USD 5 billion in government financing for social protection and jobs

 

Youth Ultra Micro Entrepreneurship Empowerment (YUMEE) 

Established with Temasek Foundation in 2025. The initiative aims to empower 400 young women-owned ultra-micro enterprises (UMEs) and university students (age 18 -30) in rural Indonesia. Where the project enhances their access to finance, business skills, and digital tools. As well as equipping them with the resources and knowledge to sustain and grow their businesses, driving inclusive local economic development. 

Responding to this need, UNDP Indonesia will recruit a Project Assistant – Youth & Indigenous Initiative who will support the implementation of MHA, GA, and YUMEE Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific projects and related topics or issues.
• Support in the implementation of project standard operating procedures in line with the government and UNDP's regulations.

 

Support effective reporting on progress of project implementation

• Support the administration in preparing annual and quarterly work plans as well as project board meetings, audit, operational and financial closure of a project.
• Support the preparation of quarterly project reports, in line with the monitoring and reporting guidelines, and present it to the project assurance team in a timely manner.
• To provide administrative support for the preparation of results-oriented progress reports.

 

Provides administrative support to the Project Management Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support the focal point for Administrative and office coordination of project implementation activities to process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, security compliance, etc.
• Provision of general office assistance such as response to simple information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; establishment of filling system and maintenance files/records; organization of meetings, workshops; routine administrative tasks, including maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing, etc.
• Support in updating databases of the relevant public and development partners, private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the project.
• In coordination with UNDP's Communication unit and other relevant communications department, support documentation of the project activities as a tool to communicate results, deepen stakeholder knowledge and buy-in to the project.

Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing relevant to the project.  

• Participate in training on internal procedures for the project staff and provide support to the organization of training and other capacity building activities as needed.  
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.  
• Maintain organized records of project data, field activities, case studies, human-interest stories, photographs, and other relevant documents that can be drawn upon in support of knowledge sharing and advocacy.  

Avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that:

• Human rights and gender equality are prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with "Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”.
• Any kind of diversity based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production.
• Differentiated needs of women and men are considered.
• An inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created.
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

 

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Assistant – Youth & Indigenous Initiative will work under the overall supervision of the Technical Analyst for Youth Empowerment Initiative and MHA Project Management Unit. He/she will work in close coordination with CO’s operation, finance and communications units as well as with UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific on the Youth Empowerment Portfolio in Asia and the Pacific (YEP-AP). The organigram in Annex shows the position of this function within the office and unit structure.

 

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 1: Plans andmonitors own work,pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problemsolver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learnsfrom mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 1: Adaptsto change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 1: Showsdrive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL  1:     Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

 

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Management	Digital Awareness and Literacy	Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.
Business Management	Working with Evidence and Data	Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
Business Management	Risk Management	Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
2030 agenda-people	Gender	Knowledge Management and Learning on Gender Equality
Admin and Operations	Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)	Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Business management	Customer Satisfaction/Client Management	Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent  solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate   requests. Ability  to anticipate  client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education	Secondary education is required. University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Development, International Relations, Management, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related fields will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
Min.     years            of relevant  Work experience	Minimum 5 years (with secondary education) or 2 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in the field of projectmanagement support.
Required skills and competencies	Experience in assisting project/program implementation. Demonstrated experience in communication field of work. Experience in organizing and facilitating meetings and workshops; Experience working on a computer: spreadsheet and database packages.
Desired additional skills and competencies	Experience working with Government and UN/UNDP procedures. Experience in project monitoring and evaluation; Experience in handling of web-based management system Experience in collecting administration  reports and managing database. Previous experience supporting the team for procurement management. At least 1 year of experience in youth empowerment and engagement. Demonstrated experience assisting in the preparation of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), Quarterly Work Plans (QWPs), and supporting project audit preparations or financial closure processes
Required Language(s) (at working level)	Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia is required.
Professional Certificates	N/A

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. 

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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