The United Nations (UN) is one of the world’s largest international organisations, operating across multiple sectors, including humanitarian aid, public health, education, governance and peacekeeping. Through its specialised agencies and programmes, it employs thousands of professionals globally, with a significant presence across African countries.
Across Africa, the UN plays a critical role in development, conflict resolution and emergency response. From supporting refugees in East Africa to strengthening healthcare systems in West Africa, its impact is both wide-reaching and deeply local, making it one of the most sought-after employers on the continent.
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Verified UN Job Roles Across Africa
National Consultant Infrastructure Asset Management (Ghana)
Responsibilities:
1. Diagnostic Missions and AMAP Design and Implementation Support: a. Conduct five three-day missions to participating local governments applying the UN IAM Diagnostic Tool and Asset Management Action Plan AMAP template and guide the UN Handbook on Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM). i. Guide self-assessments, interviews, and document reviews with finance, technical, and leadership staff. ii. Support each local government in understanding the UN Handbook on IAM and selecting one or two priority assets to develop into an AMAP. iii. Facilitate practical in-person workshops during each mission to help local teams begin drafting their AMAPs.
iv. Support the creation, updating, and standardisation of infrastructure asset registers. v. Develop tools, templates, and methodologies for lifecycle costing, maintenance planning, and asset risk management. vi. Promote integration of climate resilience and sustainability considerations into asset management practices. b. Provide virtual follow-up support after missions to refine AMAP drafts, validate feasibility, and ensure alignment with budgets, institutional roles, and climate resilience.
Qualifications:
Advanced degree in engineering, business, project management, public administration, urban planning, economics, or a related field is required.
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in infrastructure, infrastructure asset management (IAM), or urban development, with demonstrated expertise in areas such as asset inventories, lifecycle planning, service delivery, public sector investment planning, or institutional capacity development is required. Knowledge of Ghanian public sector and infrastructure systems is required.
Familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN IAM tools is desirable. Familiarity with global asset management standards and geographic information systems (GIS) is desirable.
Country Lead – RESIslands Initiative (Tanzania/Zanzibar)
Responsibilities:
• Serve as the in-country focal point and local facilitator for all RESIslands activities implemented in their country of responsibility.
• Ensure alignment of project activities with national priorities and regional agendas.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and smooth execution of consultations, workshops, trainings, and meetings. • Support institutional strengthening, capacity building, and continuity of project outcomes.
• Provide local data and input for the knowledge products and research activities of consultants and technical partners.
. Responsibilities and Assignments Under guidance from UNECA Program Coordinator, the Country Lead will support the following: 1. Stakeholder Engagement – Organise and convene national-level workshops, consultations, pipeline development write-shops, and training events in the areas of the project. – Liaise with the NDA, AISCC NFP, and other relevant ministries and departments, local governments, UN RCO, civil society, academia, and other relevant actors, and facilitate meetings with them.
Qualifications:
Advanced University Degree (Master’s level) in Climate Science, Environmental Policy, Project Management, Economics, Social Sciences, Geography, Geoinformatics, or related fields.
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in climate resilience, institutional development, or project coordination.
Prior experience leading donor-funded climate or development projects and working with governments is desirable.
Prior engagement at a national or regional level in climate, environment or risk management is desirable. Prior work with qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and reporting will be an asset.
Resident Coordinator (Rwanda), D2
Responsibilities:
• Represents the United Nations at the highest-levels of state and, together with the relevant agency representative(s), fosters engagement with Government, civil society, bilateral and multilateral partners, academia and private sector to enable the UN development system to address national needs, priorities and sustainable development challenges to advance the 2030 Agenda and to advocate for action and acceleration on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• Leads the UN country team in the development, monitoring and reporting on the UN Cooperation Framework, and enables the UN Country Team’s implementation of the UN Cooperation Framework, in full consultation with the government and through engagement with diverse partners;
• Coordinates UN system-wide support to Government, taking a preventive approach and identifying and mitigating risks to the achievement of the SDGs and their benefit to all; • Supports, catalyzes and advocates for the work of UNCT member agencies, funds and programmes and supports Country Representatives in reaching their agency-specific goals;
Qualifications:
A master’s degree – or equivalent postgraduate qualification – in development studies, international relations, political science, economics, social sciences, human rights, law or closely related fields (for otherwise suitably qualified candidates, a first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced postgraduate university degree).
National Consultant to support the Country Analysis Development Process for Morocco (2026–2027)
Responsibilities:
A – Preparation and Evidence Mapping • Hold a kick-off meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) and agree on scope and coordination arrangements. • Produce a methodological note for the production of the CA – to be validated by the UN RCO – including a methodological proposal for the foresight exercise and horizon-scanning process, combining a desk review of emerging signals, consultations and internal/external working groups, as well as the related logistical arrangements.
B – Thematic Working Groups and Drafting • Support the horizon scanning to inform the foresight exercise, in line with the methodology previously proposed by the consultant. The exercise should include, at a minimum, a desk review—covering international and national partner publications, official diagnostics, sector notes, previous versions of the CCA, recent laws and reforms, the latest statistics, as well as relevant UN agency work and publications—and a workshop with relevant UN agencies and other stakeholders.
Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in social sciences, development, economics, or a related field is required.
• At least 5 years’ experience in strategic economic analysis, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and analytical writing (notes/syntheses/briefs), with a solid understanding of macro- and microeconomic issues and proven knowledge of the Moroccan context, is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Morocco’s socio-political-economic context is required. • Working experience with academia, international organisations, government and related institutions is desirable.
INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT: DIGITAL INNOVATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND TRADE TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY UNDER AFCFTA (Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, Côte D’Ivoire, Malawi and Uganda)
Responsibilities:
a. Production of Scientific Documents • Review the existing documents on the status of digital tools and AI available to all actors for food production, manufacturing and trade in the targeted countries. • Produce national background studies aligned with the ECA regional study to evaluate the impact, using selected econometric models, of digital tools and AI on food production, manufacturing and trade. • Develop policy briefs for policymakers on integrating digital solutions into agricultural policies, including digital marketing, branding, post-harvest handling, quality standards, and commodity exchange platforms.
b. Strengthen Member States’ capacity to leverage digital solutions for agricultural value chains and market access. • Review the existing training materials to build stakeholders’ technical capacities in using digital technologies for production systems, value chains, market access, and food security.
Qualifications:
A master’s degree or equivalent in agro-economics, agronomy, sustainable development studies, statistics, or a related field is required. A PhD in related fields is preferred.
7 years’ previous experience in Digital Economy, Digitisation of Agricultural value chains, food security analysis or related areas with proven track record of agri-tech and food security Projects in developing countries, preferably in Africa or a related area, are required.
National Consultant Tourism Sector – Botswana
Responsibilities:
Provide key inputs and analyses for the eco-and-adventure tourism sector strategy. In close coordination with the International Tourism expert, carry out the background research on the tourism sector. Including:
• Mapping institutional framework of public and private support organizations and assessing the capacities and constraints.
• Map national programmes, existing policies, strategies, and development partners’ contribution to the eco-and-adventure tourism sector development.
• Mapping of the eco-and-adventure tourism sector value chain, and key actors • Provide preliminary insights on the current dynamics of selected eco- and adventure tourism areas, including existing initiatives, stakeholder engagement, coordination mechanisms, and enabling conditions, in order to inform a forward-looking assessment of development potential and readiness for cluster-based interventions.
Qualifications:
• Postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA, PHD or other).
• An advanced university degree in relevant discipline (e.g., tourism, economics, international trade and/or business administration).
• Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. • A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in the tourism sector in Botswana
• Experience conducting stakeholder consultations, interviews, and writing strategic documents. • Work experience in trade development issues. Skills
How to Apply for UN Jobs in Africa
1. Use the Official UN Careers Portal
All verified UN job vacancies are published on the official careers portal. You can filter by location, job family and level.
2. Create a Detailed Profile (PHP)
The UN uses a Personal History Profile, not a standard CV.
3. Tailor Your Application to Each Role
Generic applications are rejected quickly.
4. Understand Job Levels
Common levels include:
- G level, General Service roles, locally recruited
- NO level, National Officer roles
- P level, Professional roles, internationally recruited
- FS level, Field Service roles
Pro Tips
Mirror the Job Description Language
The UN uses automated and manual screening. If your application does not reflect the exact competencies listed, it will not pass the first stage. Do not paraphrase too much, use their wording strategically.
Quantify Everything
Saying “managed a project” is weak. Saying “managed a $500,000 health project impacting 10,000 beneficiaries” is what gets attention.
Leverage Volunteer and Field Experience
UN recruiters place high value on field exposure, even if unpaid. Experience with NGOs, community projects or international organisations can significantly boost your chances.
For candidates willing to approach the process strategically, the opportunities are real and accessible.
