Project Analyst

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as a global development network, championing transformative change and offering resource and knowledge-sharing across approximately 170 countries. In partnership with host governments, UN bodies, and other stakeholders, UNDP focuses on state-building, governance, and sustainable development. In the Maldives, UNDP has been a trusted partner for more than 45 years, supporting the country in governance, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

You are invited to join a team of dedicated development professionals whose primary role is to support the Maldives to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with multiple stakeholders to find the country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and to ensure no one is left behind – and we reach those furthest behind first.

UNDP is looking for individuals who have the communication, analytical, planning, and implementation capacities that can address links, choices, and connections across many issues and sectors. We seek individuals who can apply global best practices to national contexts. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to making a positive contribution to Development in the Maldives.

The Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. This is the post 2020 global biodiversity framework which again requires all Parties to revise their NBSAPs to align with the new targets of the KMGBF.

The GEF Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF EAS) Project supports developing, middle income, and small island nations in their commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): early action on the post-2020 global biodiversity Framework (GBF), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), National Reporting. This project connects biodiversity policymakers, change-makers, and on-the-ground subject matter experts to facilitate the delivery of the CBD’s GBF and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Government of Maldives has received funding through Global Environment Facility for the alignment of the KMGBF into the NBSAP, through the “Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF EAS)” project and is assisted by UNDP to achieve the following components. 

• Component 1: Rapid review of NBSAP for alignment with the post-2020 GBF
• Component 2: Assessment of monitoring systems
• Component 3: Policy and institutional alignment and review for coherence with Global Biodiversity Framework

Key activities undertaken in each component:

Component 1: Rapid review of NBSAP for alignment with the post-2020 GBF

• A rapid review of NBSAP is conducted: A rapid review of key thematic areas in the NBSAP is conducted to determine coherence between national targets and actions with the new goals and action targets of the GBF.
• National targets are reviewed and updated: National targets are updated to take on board the GBF and relevant SDGs, and to be made operational (i.e., measurable, costed, spatially explicit where appropriate, grounded in programs).
• NBSAP is reviewed and updated: Subject to national planning cycles, the existing NBSAP is reviewed for updates through an inclusive whole-of-government process to be in line with the GBF, and as appropriate, minor revisions are made, with the necessary consultations and processes for the plans to be nationally approved in due time. In addition, Parties will be encouraged to review NBSAPs for effectiveness and implementation. This will match what is proposed in SBI3/11/Add4 which describes the relationship between national and global targets.

Component 2: Assessment of monitoring systems

• A Gaps in monitoring systems are assessed and identified: Gaps are assessed in the existing data and knowledge systems and institutional monitoring systems and frameworks for monitoring the status and trends of biodiversity, and other elements of the targets and indicators of the NBSAP, and for the headline indicators of the global monitoring framework.
• Monitoring action plan is developed: A plan for enhancing monitoring systems is developed to respond to the updated national targets and GBF, along with an initial costing of monitoring systems, and sequencing of investment support to fill the monitoring gaps.

Component 3: Policy and institutional alignment and review for coherence with Global Biodiversity Framework

• A rapid review of existing national policies related to biodiversity and their alignment with the GBF is conducted: A review of the extent to which inter-institutional/sectoral processes and policies are in alignment with, and effectively designed to deliver on, the new Global Biodiversity Framework. 
• An aligned, whole-of-government approach is developed that captures the values of biodiversity: Opportunities for enhanced mainstreaming of biodiversity are identified, and an approach is developed to promote a whole-of-government nature-positive approach to sectors.
• A prioritized action plan for policy coherence is developed: A prioritized set of actions is developed to fill institutional gaps and advance the country toward policy coherence taking a whole-of government approach.
• Other early actions related to policy alignment and coherence are completed: For countries with advanced work on policy alignment, key steps to advance work on implementing the results of their policy analyses are completed.
• The Finance and Policy Specialist is required to provide support to the establishment of the Conservation Fund under the GEF 8 project and relevant works other Funds, including but not limited to the development of strategies and plans to enhance and manage these Funds. 

The Project Analyst will be based in Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy (MCCEE) and will report to the Programme Officer, Resilience and Climate Change, UNDP Maldives, with parallel reporting lines to the Senior Conservation Officer of Environment Management and Conservation Department, MCCEE. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the, the Project Analyst should provide administrative support and ensure effective and timely delivery of Components of GEF Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support project and subsequent GBF related projects.

In addition to the above, the Project Analyst is also expected to carry out tasks under the Biodiversity Conservation Section.

The Project Analyst will be required to undertake domestic and international travel as per the requirements of the project.

Ensure the implementation, management, and delivery of project results:

• Provide support for day-to-day project management through planning and implementation of envisaged activities, management of resources and monitoring progress against the intended outputs and initial quality criteria.
• Support the oversight, monitoring and implementation of work plans and budgets for all activities.
• Perform initial check against project annual work plan for all types of payment requests and process in accordance with UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Support the conformity of results with the Project Document and UNDP rules and procedures through budget preparation and management, planning and general monitoring of the project.
• Support the coordination of activities with project components.
• Support the timely and high-quality reporting to management and donors against work plans and according to agreed structure.
• Support the effective governance of the project through the organization of meetings and preparation of technical inputs on the progress of work and risks management.
• Ensure that human rights-based approach and gender equality are mainstreamed throughout the implementation of project outputs and activities.
• Support the effective communication of results and build the visibility of the Project amongst stakeholders as well as among the international community within and outside the country.
• Support the overall accountability of the use of project funds as well as the strict and consistent application of UNDP and government rules and regulations in all project operations including monitoring of budget expenditures.
• Support the year-end closure exercise to ensure timely financial reporting of current year’s activities and timely commencement of following year’s activities. Clean up all PO with balances, take necessary actions maintain, delete, close or re-phase prior year obligations.
• Support visibility of the project, including adherence to visibility standards and templates of the donor, UNDP and Government, as required.

Ensure project planning, monitoring and reporting: 

• Support the overall project implementation including planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring.
• Support the efficient coordination of the project including timely planning processes and delivery of results taking into consideration agreed upon work plans with the UNDP CO and the participating stakeholders.
• Support the capacity building of national counterparts and project partners.
• Support the identification, management, monitoring and reporting of risks, as well as escalation within UNDP and the project governance arrangements, as needed. 
• Support the effective project implementation through close monitoring of results, effective application of RBM tools and management of targets, coordination and follow through on decentralized reviews/evaluations.
• Support full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations.
• Prepare and the project progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks and issues, expenditures).
• Ensure timely submission of quarterly financial and activity progress reports to UNDP as well as adequate financial management of allocated resources.
• Ensure timely preparation of reports for UNDP to donors and other stakeholders.
• Prepare presentations to donor partners, government and other stakeholders as required.

Actively support the project in liaison, coordination and partnerships with external and internal partners:

• Support the building of trustful relationships and maintain a continuous and constructive dialogue with government, civil society, local communities, and donors to maximize consistency, synergy and maximize impact and results.
• Ensure the identification of strategic stakeholders and partners for the effective undertaking of outputs and activities.
• Paricipate in the development of new partnerships with civil society and/or non-governmental/ community-based organizations, local communities and the private sector to effectively deliver the project outputs and activities.
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among stakeholders according to the agreed management arrangements.
• Ensure regular communication of project results, including through communication products, digital content, visibility materials, and liaison with media in the country and beyond. 

Actively participate in knowledge building and management:

• Support the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning. 
• Contribute to building the corporate body of knowledge in the area of biodiversity and conservation by systematically (1) sharing knowledge with respective colleagues and stakeholders, and (2) ensuring that relevant experiences and lessons are well recorded and disseminated.
• Contribute written inputs to project flagship products/newsletter/policy briefs, based on project results, data and information, lessons learned and best practices.
• Support the systemic capturing of key lessons learned generated by the project through feasibility studies, research, surveys well as other primary and secondary sources to produce knowledge-based products.
• Monitor performance and results of the project and ensure the highest standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs (products).
• Compile project related reports, and upload into relevant database or digital platforms as required.
• Ensure proper filing and maintenance of all hardcopy and electronic files of all projects related documents in as per requirements. 

• Proficiency in English and Dhivehi (both written and spoken).