Programme Manager, Panama City, Panama

General

Description of assignment title: Programme Manager

Assignment country: Panama

Duty stations: Panama City

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/12/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action

Host entity: UNDRR

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• Our mission is to provide leadership and support to accelerate global efforts in disaster risk reduction to achieve inclusive sustainable development and the goal of the Sendai Framework. UNDRR's vision is of a world where disaster risks no longer threaten the well-being of people and the future of the planet.
• The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) was the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and provides Member States with concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster.
• The Sendai Framework works hand in hand with the other 2030 Agenda agreements, including The Paris Agreement on Climate Change, The Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, the New Urban Agenda, and ultimately the Sustainable Development Goals.
• It was endorsed by the UN General Assembly following the 2015 Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR), and advocates for:
• The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.
• It recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Context:

• The assignment will contribute to ensuring substantive progress in the of project activities, including the delivery of high quality outputs aligned with UNDRR's Strategic Work Plan for the Americas and the Caribbean. It will support effective information flow with local, subnational, national and regional partners, as well as donors, ensuring they remain fully informed of activities undertaken by UNDRR and its collaborating institutions. The role will further advance the articulation and strengthening the technical, conceptual and financial coherence between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) by improving governance arrangements and conceptual alignment across different initiatives.
• A key dimension of the assignment is to ensure that all project activities, outputs, and events integrate gender perspectives and promote participation, inclusion, and equality under the principles of leaving no one behind. The assignment will facilitate delivering timely and accurate project reporting in line with UNDRR and donor requirements. In accordance with the Sendai Framework's recognition of the role of volunteer organizations, the assignment will include documenting initiatives involving volunteers and related capacity building efforts developed under the programme.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of the Risk Knowledge and Climate Change Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Lead the coordination, implementation and monitoring of programme activities around the integration of DRR and climate action processes, liaising with local, national and regional DRR stakeholders in the Americas and Caribbean region under the supervision of the Risk Knowledge Officer and in coordination with relevant UNDRR office staff.
• Develop, implement and evaluate the assigned programmes/projects, besides monitoring and analysing programme/project development and implementation. To review relevant documents and reports. To liaise with relevant parties and ensure follow-up actions.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources. Lead research on wildfire and extreme heat hazard and risk modelling with a clear focus on disaggregated data to understand the consequences at different population groups (sex, age, disability conditions).
• Support the engagement with the Regional Science and Technology Advisory Group (RSTAG) to strengthen the climate risk components within the risk knowledge domain in the Americas and the Caribbean.
• Support the review and promotion of coherence analyses between DRR and climate change adaptation plans at national and local levels.
• Organize and prepare written outputs (e.g., proposals, work-plans, draft back-ground papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, among others) under the supervision of the Risk Knowledge Officer.
• Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., such as proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; prepare and deliver presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Coordinate activities related to proposal development, work-planning, budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Support with related administrative and logistical work when needed.
• During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check-ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Donor priorities:

• .

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria:

• This assignment is funded by the Government of Korea and therefore specific criteria apply:
• - Candidates must be Korean nationals. Fluency in Korean is required.
• - Candidates must be 27 years of age at the time of application.
• - Candidates who have already served as UN Volunteer Specialist funded by the Government of Korea are not eligible to apply (former UN University and UN Youth Volunteers are eligible).
• - Serving UN Volunteers will not be considered for other UN Volunteer assignments until they reach three (3) months before the end of contract date of their current UN Volunteer assignment. This provision applies equally to first and subsequent contracts.
• - Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the 'Additional remarks' field when filling in the application form.
• - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment.
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19 July 2026
• +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Spanish, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level:

• Master's degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering, International Relations, Business Administration, Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Risk Management, Sustainable Development, or similar.

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Communication
• Judgement and Decision-making
• Knowledge Sharing
• Planning and Organizing
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Experience in:
• Monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management.
• International organizations, cooperation, civil society organizations and/or academia.
• Good understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation plans is desirable.
• Climate financing is desirable.
• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is desirable.
• Previous experience with UNDRR's CRM Initiative is an asset.
• Working experience with UN agencies at regional level in the Americas and the Caribbean is an asset.
• Working in a multicultural context is an asset.
• Skills in:
• Facilitation and training.
• Good analytical skills.
• Preparing concept notes, background papers and proposals.
• Excellent communication skills.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Natural and life sciences, Information technology, Engineering and construction

Driving license:

• -

Other information