Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Organizational Context
Sustainable climate and disaster resilience, as well as nature-based and low carbon growth is one of the pillars of the cooperation between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Republic of Kazakhstan (RoK). As part of this, clean and affordable energy and nature-based (environment) solutions to development are implemented by UNDP across the country and for the benefit of its people to support the Government of RoK in implementing the Paris Agreement and other environment commitments. By supporting the expansion of the green economy to tap into new opportunities for jobs and businesses, UNDP in Kazakhstan partners with the Government and non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, development partners, and vertical funds (such as GEF, GCF, AF) to provide technical expertise to translate strategies into action, establish a monitoring framework for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and develop plans for transition to green energy, land management, biodiversity, reforestation, disaster risk reduction and waste management. The full description of UNDP priorities are reflected in the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) informed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which are available on: https://www.kz.undp.org/content/kazakhstan/en/home/about-us/legal-framework.html.
The work of UNDP Kazakhstan in the Energy and Environment includes, but is not limited to, substantive policy advice to inform strategic direction, effective portfolio management and oversight over the development projects implementation, building and maintaining a diverse partnership base, and knowledge sharing across portfolios to foster innovative and integrated sustainable development solutions.
Job Purpose
The Programme Analyst will work under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, Head of the Energy and Environment unit and will contribute to the overall direction of the portfolio, provide policy advice, support programme development, be responsible for programme quality assurance and oversight, and develop partnerships in the area of responsibility. A particular focus of the programme analyst will be the oversight of the vertical funds portfolio including actions funded by but not limited to the GEF, GCF and others.
The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with project staff, programme and operations team in the CO, other UN agencies, UNDP HQ and Istanbul Regional Hub, technical advisor and experts, donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme in climate and energy field.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Substantively contribute to formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies;
- Contribute to analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; and contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents.
- Contribute to operationalizing UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
- Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness CO business processes.
- Analyse and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.
2.) Ensure effective management of the CO programme within the assigned thematic/sector areas focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of the country programme;
- Contribute to design and formulation of CO programme, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas. Ensure that design and formulation of programme considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals.
- Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
- Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
- Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.
- Support trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
- Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses.
- Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including donor and corporate reports.
- Support to the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to PAC; finalize contribution agreements; and determine required revisions.
3.) Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
- Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable to CO), and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas.
- Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including for joint programming.
- Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts.
- Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals, and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects.
4.) Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
- Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
- Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.
- Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
- Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account.
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
- Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas.
Core Competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
- Business Management: Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
- Business Management: Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Business Management: Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
- Business Management: Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
- Business Management: Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
- Business Direction & Strategy: 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
- 2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Energy and Environment, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required or
- A Bachelor’s degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in sustainable energy and environment area.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
- Experience in project proposals development, resource mobilization for projects/ programmes is desired.
Language requirements
- Fluency in English and Kazakh and/or Russian
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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