UNDP Technical Advisor IPSA-11 in Pretoria (South Africa)

Contexte

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting qualified professionals to apply for a Technical Advisor position based in Pretoria, South Africa. The opportunity is located within UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) and is open to both internal and external applicants.

The full-time position is offered at the IPSA-11 grade under an International Personnel Service Agreement, with a one-year contract duration. Applications must be submitted before October 6, 2026, at 5:59 AM, according to the official UNDP Careers vacancy notice. The role is designed for an experienced development professional with expertise in areas such as strategic planning, economic transformation, development financing, sustainable energy or regional trade. The successful candidate will provide technical advisory services, conduct research and analysis, support policy development and strengthen partnerships across Africa.

The Technical Advisor will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Regional Bureau for Africa’s Strategy, Analysis and Research Team (SART).

Key details include:

• Position: Technical Advisor
• Organisation: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Location: Pretoria, South Africa
• Grade: IPSA-11
• Contract: International Personnel Service Agreement
• Duration: 1 year
• Schedule: Full time
• Practice Area: Economics
• Bureau: Regional Bureau for Africa
• Application deadline: October 6, 2026, at 5:59 AM
• Required language: English
• Desired languages: French or Portuguese

The vacancy is identified as Job Identification 36845 and was posted on September 28, 2026.

Missions et responsabilités

The Technical Advisor will contribute to UNDP’s efforts to provide demand-driven policy and technical support to countries across Africa. The position involves providing evidence-based advice, conducting research and supporting development planning.

The role focuses on several areas of technical expertise, including:

• Strategic planning and development planning
• Structural economic transformation
• Public finance management
• Development financing
• Sustainable and affordable energy
• Regional trade and value chains
• Policy research and analysis
• Development programming and capacity building

According to the vacancy notice, Technical Advisors will provide advisory services to countries on strategic planning, structural economic transformation, public finance management, development financing, access to energy and trade. They will also undertake regional and thematic analyses and build partnerships with relevant institutions.

The successful candidate will be expected to perform a range of policy, research, knowledge-management and partnership functions.

High-Level Policy Advice

Responsibilities include preparing clear, practical and evidence-driven analyses of complex development challenges and presenting workable policy options to government officials. The advisor will also review trends affecting development outcomes in African countries and regions.

Research and Analysis

The position involves analysing economic, financial and environmental data, developing diagnostic tools and preparing technical reports addressing development challenges and opportunities. The advisor will also contribute to institutional reports and applied research on strategic policy issues.

Knowledge Management and Partnerships

The Technical Advisor will lead networks of regional expertise, oversee the quality of knowledge products and support their alignment with national priorities and UNDP’s Strategic Plan.

The role also involves building relationships with research institutions, governments, development partners and other stakeholders, while participating in relevant forums, workshops and conferences.

Profil recherché

The position requires substantial professional experience in development-related fields.

Applicants should have either:

• An advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or a related field; or
• A Bachelor’s degree in one of the relevant fields combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience in lieu of the advanced degree.

A doctorate in a relevant field is preferred.

The experience requirement is at least seven years with a Master’s degree or nine years with a Bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible experience at national or international level in project management, coordination, implementation of capacity-building initiatives or a related field.

UNDP is seeking candidates with proven experience working with African regional institutions, including the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, civil society organisations and think tanks.

Candidates should also demonstrate experience in:

• Project management and coordination
• Capacity-building initiatives
• Development challenges affecting Africa
• Strategic communications
• Partnerships and stakeholder engagement
• Policy analysis and advisory work

Experience working with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organisations and international public organisations is listed as desirable.

Fluency in English is required, while knowledge of French or Portuguese is desirable.

Core competencies include achieving results, innovative thinking, continuous learning, adaptability, determination, partnership-building and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Technical competencies include systems thinking, strategic thinking, collective intelligence design, data analysis, relationship management, storytelling and results-based management.

Conditions et avantages

UNDP offers an International Personnel Service Agreement at the IPSA-11 grade for a duration of 1 year, based in Pretoria, South Africa. UNDP also states that it does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.

Dossier de candidature

Applicants should ensure that their education, professional experience, technical expertise and language skills meet the requirements before applying.

• Education credentials (Master’s or Bachelor’s degree)
• Updated CV / Resume
• Proof of professional experience meeting the duration and scope requirements

Comment postuler

Interested professionals should review the official UNDP vacancy carefully and submit their applications through the UNDP Careers recruitment system.

The position is listed as Technical Advisor – Job Identification 36845, based in Pretoria, South Africa.

Application deadline: October 6, 2026, at 5:59 AM.

Reference: Job Identification 36845