Project Manager [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Better Than Cash; Şile; On-site; TRY 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub is seeking a Project Manager to lead ETAF initiatives on blockchain, digital innovation and Islamic finance opportunities. You will oversee work plans, procurement, reporting, risk management and team performance, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with UNDP policies.

The role requires an advanced degree and 5+ years in innovation, finance or related fields, with strong English and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Environmental Science or related field.
• Experience in innovation, finance or blockchain projects is desirable.
• Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee ETAF project management, work plan, procurement plan and M&E framework.
• Manage ETAF financial resources with accountability and efficiency.
• Prepare timely high-quality reports on ETAF initiatives with the team.
• Lead ETAF initiatives through governance mechanisms and adjust plans as needed.
• Identify and report risks; implement corrective actions.
• Supervise ETAF team performance and development.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Risk management

Communication

Education

Advanced university degree in relevant field

Bachelor's degree with additional two years experience

Job description

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

The Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) serves as UNDP's primary knowledge and advisory hub for the Europe and CIS region (RBEC). The Hub connects the region to a global network of development experts, builds knowledge and capacity, and forges partnerships to address the development challenges of a complex and diverse region. The new Regional Programme (2026-2029) integrates four strategic priorities: prosperity for all; effective governance; crisis resilience; and healthy planet. Under each programmatic priority the programme seeks to act as a catalyst for systemic transformation and to deploy the portfolio approach more widely, enabling dynamic experimentation, learning and adaptation across interconnected interventions.

The IRH Innovation and Digital Team is taking forward a transformative approach to sustainable development through strategic innovation, portfolio and systems-thinking methods. Looking ahead, the team is focusing on three key innovation portfolio areas: urban transformation; digital development and emerging technologies; and innovative financing. Across all dimensions of our work, the team employs systems thinking, future-oriented approaches emphasizing the generation of development intelligence, and acceleration of local innovation to unearth new development pathways. The IRH Innovation and Digital Team acts as a regional extension of UNDP’s global Digital, AI, and Innovation Hub (DAI Hub) and closely collaborates with the global team. Alternative Finance Lab – as a part of the IRH Innovation and Digital Team – is actively working on blockchain, AI and emerging technologies and their implementation globally.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of Project Manager:

Ensure effective management of the project

• Lead the implementation, and updating of the ETAF annual work plan, procurement plan, and monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Manage ETAF financial resources, ensuring quality financial management, accountability, and the efficient use of funds.
• Coordinate the preparation and timely submission of high-quality reports on ETAF initiatives, with support from the project team.
• Coordinate ETAF’s initiatives leads through existing governance and coordination mechanisms, recommending adjustments to implementation plans in response to evolving project needs and contextual changes.
• Identify, assess, monitor, and report project risks and issues in a timely manner, and recommend appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
• Oversee the performance and delivery of the ETAF team to ensure quality and timely implementation.
• Conduct team member performance management and reviews in accordance with UNDP policies, rules, and procedures, fostering accountability and professional development.
• Prepare and review Terms of Reference (ToRs), technical specifications, and other procurement-related documentation for ETAF services and consultancies.
• Ensure effective project risk management by maintaining risk logs, conducting regular horizon scanning, and implementing mitigation measures

Partnership Development and Resource Mobilization

• Manage strategic partnerships with emerging technology organizations, blockchain ecosystems and other relevant stakeholders to advance ETAF objectives.
• Develop Memorandum of Agreement, Financial Agreements, and other legal or partnership instruments with government institutions, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and private sector partners.
• Prepare high-quality partnership proposals and concept notes to mobilize technical and financial support for new blockchain and digital innovation initiatives.
• Leverage an extensive network within the blockchain ecosystem to connect programme participants with mentors, investors, technical experts, and strategic partners.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities and in-kind resources to strengthen the development, sustainability, and scalability of participant projects and ETAF initiatives

Communications, Knowledge Management, and Visibility

• Work closely with the Communications Lead to develop and implement ETAF’s communication and visibility strategy, ensuring alignment with project objectives, stakeholder needs, and organizational requirements.
• Provide strategic inputs to communication plans, key messages, success stories, case studies, and other visibility materials to effectively showcase ETAF results, innovations, and impact.
• Support the identification and documentation of project achievements, lessons learned, beneficiary stories, and best practices for internal and external dissemination.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing activities, including workshops, webinars, and stakeholder engagements, to promote learning and strengthen the ETAF ecosystem.

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 Manager will work under the coordination of a Alternative Finance Lab Project Manager, and within the team as presented in a general overview in an Annex.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management competencies:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Partnerships Management
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Direction & Strategy

• Strategic Thinking
  • Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
• System Thinking
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Digital

• Agile methodologies and practices
  • Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organising cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning.
  • Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.
• Alternative finance
  • Ability to identify potential alternative forms of finance and mobilise them for the purpose of addressing development challenges.
  • Ability to review the skills, capacities, procedures and protocols that are needed to enable new financial mechanisms.
  • Ability to assess the risks, limitations and implications of using new financial mechanisms.Set up the processes and structures to design, testing and implement new financial mechanisms.
  • Managing outreach and stakeholder engagement Set up the processes and structures to design, testing and implement new financial mechanisms. Managing outreach and stakeholder engagement
• Co-creation
  • Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together.
  • Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into to them as a source for creativity.
  • Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration, and sharing.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Environmental Science, or related field is required, or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of working experience in innovation and alternative finance

Required skills:

• Experience in project management in international organizations or European projects.
• Experience working with emerging technologies.
• Experience in working with UNDP or UN organizations.
• Experience in leading multi-stakeholder processes in international development

Desired skills:

• Experience in design and facilitation of multi-stakeholder workshops.
• Previous experience working with non-profit organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and SMEs;
• Experience in working in startup accelerator.
• Experience in working with national or local governments;
• Experience in designing and leading innovative learning processes in international development

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required

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

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.