Project Coordinator, Lome

General

Description of assignment title: Project Coordinator

Assignment country: Togo

Duty stations: Lome

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 12/01/2026

Duration: 21 months (with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity: UNREC Togo

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives

UNREC was established in Lomé, Togo, in response to United Nations General Assembly resolution 40/151 G. It is one of the three Regional Centres of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and is mandated to provide States in the African region, at their request, with substantive support for initiatives they undertake and other efforts aimed at promoting peace and disarmament in the region, in cooperation with the African Union and other regional organisations. This position is recruited to run Africa regional components of the Youth Leader Fund for a World without Nuclear Weapons (YLF), which is a UNODA programme aimed to equip the leaders of the future with the knowledge, skills, and network to join global efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Context

The Project Coordinator will support UNREC’s youth and education portfolio with a focus on youth engagement and regional activities under the UNODA Youth Leader Fund for a World Without Nuclear Weapons (YLF) in Africa. In 2019, UNODA established the #Youth4Disarmament initiative to connect geographically diverse young people with experts to learn about current international security challenges, the work of the United Nations and how to actively participate. The YLF is an innovative training programme for young people between 18 and 29 years old. It falls under the #Youth4Disarmament initiative and aims to equip the leaders of the future with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to join global efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. Under the global programme, participants receive training in the general principles and instruments of nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control through online courses, as well as skills training and webinars with disarmament experts. A selected cohort also participates in a week-long, in-person study tour to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Task description

The selected individual will coordinate the regional implementation of the YLF’s online and in-person initiatives in Africa, in close cooperation with the YLF programme team and UNODA colleagues in Africa and other duty stations.

Key areas of responsibility will include:

1. Programme and project development
   
   • Develop concept notes, training curricula and other programme materials for YLF initiatives.
   • Support the planning and implementation of regional youth-focused projects and activities, including through financial tracking.
   • Coordinate with relevant UNODA colleagues and partners to ensure coherence and effective delivery of initiatives.)
2. Events organization
   
   • Plan, coordinate and support the delivery of online and in-person workshops, trainings, webinars and seminars. Organize event logistics, including invitations, participant coordination, speaker engagement and briefing materials.
   • Support the delivery of trainings and webinars, and coordinate post-event follow-up and reporting.)
3. Communications, outreach and partnerships
   
   • Support the dissemination of announcements and information on youth programmes, opportunities and YLF activities.
   • Foster partnerships and maintain engagement with youth networks, organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
   • Contribute to outreach efforts to broaden youth participation in YLF initiatives across the region.)
4. Research and other programme support
   
   • Conduct research and provide inputs relevant to the development and implementation of YLF activities.
   • Prepare briefing materials, background information and other supporting documents as required.)
5. Perform any other duties as assigned.

Results/Expected Outputs

Two regional editions of the YLF, comprising numerous online and one in-person components, are planned and implemented, one in English and one in French.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 1 month

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

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience: 1 month

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• French, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level: Bachelor's degree in humanities or social sciences, law, risk and disaster management, environment, sustainable development, or another related field.

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience: Experience in project and/or programme design, planning, and implementation. Knowledge of the Youth, Peace & Security agenda and disarmament is desirable.

Area(s) of expertise: Administration, Disarmament, peacebuilding, rule of law, Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Driving license: -

Other information

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

A secular state, Togo is a coastal country in West Africa whose economic capital is Lomé. It is bordered by Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso. The official language is French. Lomé is served by most major international airlines and shipping companies. Telecommunications facilities (landline and mobile phones, internet) are available, and accommodation is relatively affordable. There are a number of well-regarded schools, including the Lycée Français and the American School. Togo is a democratic and peaceful country. Against a backdrop of uncertainty linked to Covid-19, it has achieved remarkable results. The year 2021 saw a resurgence in growth momentum, which had been compromised by the pandemic in 2020. The growth rate stood at 5.3% (2021) compared to 1.8% in 2020. However, due to unfavourable weather conditions that led to food shortages, Togo is facing exponential inflation, exacerbated by the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. Averaging 4.3% in 2021 (compared to 1.8% in 2020), the inflation rate has shown an upward trend, reaching an average of 6.6% in April 2022. The security level for Togo is assessed as 1 (minimal). However, vigilance and caution are recommended for volunteers. Living conditions in Lomé are quite good, with all the usual amenities available.

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

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.