Programme Specialist to Support Aral Sea Trust Fund, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

General

Description of assignment title: Programme Specialist to Support Aral Sea Trust Fund

Assignment country: Uzbekistan

Duty stations: Tashkent

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: UNRCO

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO) in Uzbekistan and reports to the team of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC).

Context:

• This UN Volunteer assignment supports the Aral Sea UN Multi Partner Human Security Trust Fund (MPHSTF), established in 2018 to address the complex socio economic, environmental, and human security challenges resulting from the Aral Sea ecological crisis. The Fund applies a multi sectoral, people centred, and human security based approach to strengthen resilience and improve livelihoods in affected regions, particularly the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
• The Trust Fund operates as a pooled financing mechanism under UNDP and the Multi Partner Trust Fund Office, bringing together UN agencies, national counterparts, donors, and development partners. The UN Volunteer will provide expert level programmatic coordination and administrative support (where applicable), contributing to effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Fund supported initiatives.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of designated UN RCO Partnership and Development Finance Officer, and in close coordination with participating UN organizations, the UN Volunteer will undertake support the Trust Fund Secretariat through the following tasks:
• Programme support
• Assist in coordination of programme activities supported by the Aral Sea Trust Fund, including tracking implementation progress and follow‑up on planned outputs.
• Support preparation, consolidation, and quality assurance of programme documents, concept notes, and reports in line with Trust Fund requirements.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes by compiling programme data, results frameworks, and supporting evidence.
• Facilitate coordination among UN agencies, national counterparts, and partners involved in Trust Fund‑funded initiatives.
• Administrative and operational support
• Provide administrative support to Trust Fund governance processes, meetings, and consultations, including agenda preparation, documentation, and minutes.
• Support budgetary and financial tracking at the programme level, in coordination with UNDP and the MPTF Office, ensuring alignment with approved allocations.
• Assist in maintaining organized programme files, databases, and knowledge products in accordance with UNDP and Trust Fund standards.
• Support donor visibility and communications efforts by contributing to briefings, background notes, and information materials.
• Reporting and knowledge management
• Contribute to the preparation of narrative and annual Trust Fund reports, including inputs to consolidated programme and results reporting.
• Support documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and innovative approaches emerging from Trust Fund‑supported interventions.
• Assist in strengthening coordination, information flow, and institutional memory within the Trust Fund Secretariat.
• 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
• Russian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
• Uzbek, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level:

• Master's degree in development studies, public administration, economics, environmental sciences, international relations, or a related field

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Commitment and Motivation
• Communication
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Experience in:
• Development programmes, public administration, economics, environment and climate, project management. Experience in designing programmes/projects addressing Human Security is desirable.
• professional experience in programme coordination, development project management, or administrative support functions, preferably within the UN system or similar international organizations.
• Skills in:
• Experience in supporting programme or trust fund management, including coordination, reporting, and administrative processes;
• Experience working with development partners, government counterparts, and multi stakeholder initiatives;
• Strong analytical, drafting, and reporting skills;
• Excellent organizational and coordination abilities, with attention to detail and accuracy;
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team and adapt to a complex operating environment;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and standard information management tools;
• Self motivated, ability to work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated interest in climate resilience, sustainable development, and the UN system.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Administration, Business management, Development programmes

Driving license:

• -

Other information