Project Coordination Associate

Host entity: UNDP

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Communication, advocacy, public information, Climate change, environment, Community development

Application deadline: 28/10/2026

Mission and objectives

As the development arm of the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading organization working to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and cli-mate change, as well as the technical lead in the UN System's socio-economic response to COVID-19. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

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.

Since 1967, UNDP has worked in close partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) for over five decades, providing strategic support in crisis prevention and recovery, governance, poverty reduction, environment, and sustainable development. UNDP together with the GoSL work towards a sustainable Sri Lanka, building up institutional, legal and individual capacities to respond to the effects of climate change and natural and man-made disasters.

Assignment context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as the UN's global development network, operates in 166 countries to address national and global development challenges through knowledge, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. In Sri Lanka, UNDP's Climate & Environment Team (CET) works closely with government counterparts, communities, and partners to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions, serving as the UN system's primary partner for climate action and environmental protection.

Within CET, the Sustainable Energy & Waste cluster works on sustainable waste management and transport, alongside energy resilience and decarbonization initiatives. Under this cluster, UNDP is implementing three initiatives addressing waste management and clean transport in partnership with the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, and the Western Province Waste Management Authority. The Municipal Solid Waste Management Project (herein referred to as the KEITI Project), funded by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, strengthens national policy frameworks for solid waste management, demonstrates sustainable Public-Private Partnerships, and establishes systems to monitor greenhouse gas emission reductions over a three-year period. The Plastic Waste Management and Circular Interventions Project (herein referenced as the TCCF Project), supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation, develops a comprehensive framework for plastic waste management, strengthens practices at local authority and community levels, and promotes circular economy principles. The UNV will serve the above three initiatives, providing project management support functions as described under task 12 below.

Task description

Project planning and coordination – Maintain workplans, implementation schedules and activity timelines.
Implementation monitoring – Track progress against planned activities, outputs, milestones and targets.
Reporting and documentation – Compile inputs for progress and donor reports and maintain project records.
Stakeholder coordination – Coordinate with government counterparts, implementing partners, consultants and other stakeholders.
Monitoring and learning – Compile results data and support documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
Knowledge management and communication – Maintain project knowledge resources and support preparation of briefs, presentations and communication materials.
Meeting and action-point management – Organize project meetings, prepare materials, record decisions and track follow-up actions.
Event coordination – Coordinate logistical and administrative arrangements for project meetings, workshops, consultations, training sessions and other project events.
Document and record management – Maintain and update up-to-date project files, records, correspondence, agreements, reports and other supporting documentation, ensuring easy retrieval and appropriate version control.

Skills and experience

• Project/programme implementation function; experience with project/programme implementation support function is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in climate, energy and environment programme, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions

Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the south coast of India. It’s home to an estimated population of over 21 million people. It is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi- religious country. It is a tropical country with moderate temperate and high humidity all throughout the year. The climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year but humidity is usually high. From March to April the temperature averages around 32 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfalls occur. Colombo is situated in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. The city is located on the west coast of the island, adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. Bandaranaike International Airport is located 35km from Colombo and is served by the main international airlines. Sri Lanka currently has stable and safe living environment. Cost of living is relatively high with increased food and accommodation costs. The UN Volunteer will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Colombo is the administrative centre and offers a range of accommodation, transportation, medical, banking and other services. Sri Lanka is classified as a Family Duty Station. The security level in Colombo is UNDSS Level 1 (Low).

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