Project Lead – Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Project, Freetown

Description of assignment title

Project Lead – Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Project

Assignment country

Sierra Leone

Duty stations

Freetown

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

10/20/2026

Duration

4 months
(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

8. Decent work and economic growth

Host entity

UNDP

Modality

Onsite

Type

National

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone supports the United Nations system through its integrated offer, using a people-first approach centred on the ‘leave no one behind’ principle, and a human rights- and area-based development strategy. In alignment with the 2030 Agenda, National Development Plan, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the African Union Agenda 2063, the programme seeks to reduce multidimensional poverty and enhance justice, peace, social cohesion, and resilience with its focus on two pillars: (a) People-centred sustainable development and resilience, prioritising people’s well-being and planetary health and (b) Inclusive governance, peace, and prosperity, embodying harmonious development, effective resource management, and equitable governance. Furthermore, the UNDP comparative advantage includes leveraging global and regional partnerships, working across economic, social, and environmental goals, strengthening good governance, and providing technical and policy-oriented support, all while ensuring national ownership for sustainable outcomes.

Context

UNDP Sierra Leone, through the timbuktoo UniPod, is supporting the development of an integrated innovation ecosystem that gives young people, university students, entrepreneurs and innovators access to practical learning, prototyping, experimentation, entrepreneurship support and pathways to market. Within this platform, the Samsung Mobile Circularity Initiative strengthens youth capacities in circular economy, mobile technology, electronics, e-waste management, repair, reuse, refurbishment and responsible resource recovery. The initiative combines a dedicated Mobile Circularity Innovation Lab at the UniPod with Circular Innovation Clubs and partnerships with universities, technical institutions and other ecosystem actors. The Project Lead will provide day-to-day programme leadership for implementation of the Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Project, ensuring that activities, partnerships, deliverables, budgets, risks and results are coordinated in line with UNDP requirements and agreed commitments with Samsung and other partners.

Task description

A. Project Planning and Delivery Leadership

• Translate the approved project document, annual workplan, and partner commitments into detailed implementation plans, activity schedules, milestones, and delivery trackers.
• Coordinate the day-to-day execution of Samsung Mobile Circularity activities across the UniPod, regional Circular Innovation Clubs, and participating academic institutions.
• Ensure clear sequencing of trainings, experimentation activities, innovation challenges, mentorship, prototyping, showcases, and related project interventions.
• Track implementation progress against agreed outputs, indicators, timelines, and budgets, and initiate rapid corrective actions when delivery risks emerge.
• Coordinate inputs from UNDP programme and operations colleagues, technical personnel, consultants, vendors, universities, and implementing partners.

B. Team Coordination and Task Management

• Provide day-to-day coordination, work planning, and task prioritization for the project’s Associate-level UN Volunteers and other assigned project personnel.
• Clarify roles, responsibilities, deliverables, and deadlines across the implementation team and maintain a shared action tracker.
• Hold regular implementation check-ins and ensure operational issues requiring management attention are escalated promptly.
• Support team members with continuous guidance, coaching, and collaborative problem-solving while promoting an inclusive, learning-oriented work environment.
• Coordinate closely with the UniPod Manager to ensure project activities are integrated into the wider UniPod operating calendar and facility arrangements.

C. Samsung and Partner Coordination

• Serve as the principal day-to-day project coordination interface between UNDP, the UniPod, and Samsung-supported implementation activities, under the guidance of the UNDP Innovation and Digital Transformation Lead.
• Prepare substantive inputs, implementation updates, and briefing materials for project meetings, monitoring missions, and reviews with Samsung and other partners.
• Coordinate partner visits, technical sessions, reviews, hardware demonstrations, and project showcases.
• Maintain constructive working relationships with universities, government institutions, Circular Innovation Clubs, youth organizations, and innovation ecosystem partners.
• Follow up on agreed partner actions and ensure joint commitments are actively reflected in project delivery plans.

D. Technical and Innovation Programme Oversight

• Oversee implementation of the project’s innovation and experimentation approach, ensuring activities are practical, youth-centred, and aligned with circular-economy principles.
• Work with the Mobile Computing Associate and technical facilitators to maintain a steady project pipeline from problem identification through experimentation, prototyping, testing, and showcase.
• Ensure Circular Innovation Clubs receive structured technical and programme support and that promising solutions are connected to the UniPod for advanced experimentation.
• Support the design and quality assurance of bootcamps, hackathons, innovation challenges, mentoring sessions, and technical learning activities.
• Promote responsible technology use, repair, reuse, refurbishment, sustainable electronics, and safe e-waste practices across all project activities.

E. Monitoring, Reporting, and Quality Assurance

• Maintain an integrated project performance tracker covering activities, deliverables, indicators, risks, expenditure status, and key decisions.
• Review activity documentation and evidence to ensure completeness, accuracy, and consistency before consolidation into project reports.
• Prepare substantive inputs for periodic UNDP and partner progress reports, presentations, briefing notes, and management updates.
• Ensure sex-, age-, and other relevant participant data are captured consistently and that results are documented in line with agreed monitoring requirements.
• Document lessons learned, success stories, innovations, and implementation challenges to support adaptive management and knowledge sharing.
• Support quality assurance of consultant and service-provider deliverables from a programme perspective and flag gaps for corrective action.

F. Budget, Administration, and Operational Coordination

• Work with the Admin and Finance Associate and UNDP programme/operations colleagues to maintain visibility over approved budgets, commitments, expenditures, and outstanding opeational actions.
• Provide timely programme inputs for procurement, contracting, travel, workshops, and other operational processes required for delivery.
• Confirm programme specifications, activity requirements, and delivery timelines before submission through the appropriate UNDP processes.
• Monitor operational dependencies that could affect implementation and escalate bottlenecks for resolution.
• Ensure project assets, equipment, and consumables are planned and deployed in coordination with the Facility Manager and in accordance with UNDP procedures.

G. Risk Management and Compliance

• Maintain a practical project risk and issues log and regularly review delivery, operational, safeguarding, reputational, and partner risks.
• Ensure project activities follow applicable UNDP policies, procedures, safeguarding requirements, safety standards, and partner commitments.
• Escalate material risks, incidents, delays, or compliance concerns to the UNDP Innovation and Digital Transformation Lead.
• Support implementation of corrective and mitigation measures and track their completion.
• Promote safe, inclusive, and respectful participation of young people in all project activities.

4. Expected Results

• Samsung Mobile Circularity project activities are implemented on time and in accordance with agreed workplans and quality standards.
• Clear coordination is maintained among UNDP, UniPod, Samsung-supported activities, participating institutions and the project implementation team.
• Circular Innovation Clubs are active and connected to a structured experimentation and prototyping pipeline.
• Project deliverables, indicators, risks, budgets and operational actions are systematically tracked.
• Partner and management reporting is timely, evidence-based and supported by complete project documentation.
• Implementation challenges are identified early and addressed through coordinated corrective action.
• The project generates documented learning, prototypes and practical youth innovation outcomes that strengthen the wider UniPod innovation ecosystem.

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Krio, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Innovation Management, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Economics, Public Administration or another field relevant to the assignment. An advanced university degree would be an advantage but is not required.

Competencies and values

Strong project planning, coordination and implementation skills. •Ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously. • Strong analytical, problem-solving and adaptive-management skills. • Ability to coordinate technical and non-technical team members and translate project objectives into practical tasks. • Strong written communication, reporting and presentation skills. • Sound understanding of innovation, digital technology and/or circular-economy programming. • Strong partnership and stakeholder-engagement skills. • High degree of organization, accountability, initiative and attention to detail. • Ability to work effectively with young people, universities, government, private-sector partners and development actors. • Commitment to inclusion, sustainability, responsible technology and the values of the United Nations.

Skills and experience

Electronics, microcontrollers, embedded systems, sensors, hardware troubleshooting, mobile-device repair, soldering, prototyping, IoT, digital fabrication, e-waste or circular economy.

Area(s) of expertise

Digital and social media, Art, design, culture, Innovation, foresight, change management

Driving license

Volunteerism

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Freetown is a vibrant, hilly city, with a population of just over one million. Set on a peninsula, you can see the sea from almost any point in the city and you are never far away from some spectacular beaches for swimming and surfing. There are good supermarkets and restaurants, and mobile and internet services are available for a fair price. The number of international flight connections to Sierra Leone is increasing, with more airlines flying to Europe and within Africa. The general security situation is peaceful, and the overall Security Level in Sierra Leone is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system. Crime is classified as moderate, with incidents primarily related to property thefts, house break-ins and robberies. Housing in Freetown ranges from independent houses to apartments - available furnished and un-furnished. Most long-stay accommodation are rented by the year or the half-year. Most staff stay in apartments, which come equipped with generators, a water supply, and security guards. The housing situation is constantly improving, with new apartment complexes being built to an increasingly high standard. There are a limited number of international schools in Freetown, with options including American and British international schools, as well as a few smaller independent schools which follow either American or British curricula. UN staff children attend a variety of schools. Staff can access a limited number of healthcare facilities. Access to healthcare in Sierra Leone can be limited, particularly in rural areas. It is essential to have adequate health insurance coverage before moving to the country. Local clinics and hospitals are available but may not offer the same standard of care as in developed countries. Take preventative measures, such as vaccinations and regular check-ups, to maintain your health.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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