Project addresses the complex and multidimensional challenges of rural areas of Georgia, specifically the need of unlocking and exploiting opportunities for rural livelihoods (esp. of those most vulnerable) to enhance sustainable growth and create employment. The project complies to the overall objective of the program by addressing call for people-cantered integrated territorial development, with focus on improved rural development governance, inclusive growth and development of rural livelihoods and sustainable use of natural resources for transition to a carbon neutral economy.

Overall objective of the project as a part of broader rural development effort is to enhance well-being of rural population by strengthening conditions for more inclusive and sustainable growth. It aims to contribute to the revival of rural areas, promotion of balanced and inclusive multisectoral development, in light of the structural transformations that are affecting economic and social fabric of rural communities in target 4 regions of Georgia (Kakheti, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi & Kvemo Svaneti and Guria) with sustainability of the approaches on policy and programme level interventions. The project has three specific objectives:

Specific objective 1 is to improve rural development policy and governance system so that it can effectively develop and implement integrated rural development policies by:

• Advancing institutional and technical capacities of MEPA and other competent national authorities.
• Strengthening area-based and bottom-up approaches in Rural Development policy development and implementation.

Specific objective 2 is to enhance inclusive rural development by:

• Addressing the needs of the population with migration background within the state programs.
• Promoting new solutions for improving rural infrastructure.
• Improving accessibility of public services for disadvantaged, remote and depopulated rural areas.
• Empowering the rural woman.

Specific objective 3 is to improve environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources and climate action by:

• institutionalized under MEPA forest Engineers skills development programme; and
• introducing Renewable Energy Community concept in Georgia.

Project will (a) contribute to a successful implementation of ENPARD IV financing agreement, (b) serve as complementary support to budget support component (SRPC), and (c) support the implementation of the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Georgia 2021-2027. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement for the support to rural development, the harmonization of environmental legislation and enforcement mechanisms, and the improved management of natural resources. Also, the project can make important contribution to the work related to the recent EU membership application submitted by Georgia.

Developing effective working partnerships with all respective stakeholders involved in ENPARD IV and other relevant rural development programmes and projects and will be essential for the successful and timely delivery of the project expected results. These partnerships will cover several players including: EUD, FAO, ENPARD implementing partners, NGOs, LAGs and GALAG, other donors, national, sub-national and local authorities through enhanced policy dialogue, planning, case-based evaluations and other bilateral coordination and exchange mechanisms, including through the ENPARD stakeholders, Inter-Agency Coordination Council (IACC) and its working groups.

Provision of content inputs and supporting the planning and implementation of the project activities related to improved rural services, infrastructure, and inclusive rural development:

Support in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of inclusive growth and development related activities of the project, namely elaborate interventions for:

• Enhance effectiveness and coherence of migrant integration and needs response policies through improved co-ordination across government levels and implementation at the relevant scale.
• Advancing capacities and promoting bottom-up initiatives for increased accessibility and diversity of public services for migrants and newcomers.
• Matching skills with economic opportunities and promotion of social innovation.
• Development of mechanisms to ensure that sub-national infrastructure investment plans reflect national and sub-national development goals and plans.
• Further empower local LAGs for locally generated, owned and sustained capacity
• Mobilize private and other actors to diversify sources of funding.
• Pilot innovative financing instruments.
• Organizing Georgian language courses for ethnic minorities and trainings/informational sessions on diverse topics of interest.
• Direct support to Community Centers and vulnerable groups.

Provision of content inputs and contributing to the planning and implementation of the project activities related to empowered rural women (outcome 2) under the supervision of the Project Manager for tasks related to improved rural economic diversification, employment and services:

• Support in development of gender-sensitive rural development policies and programs.
• Support to education, vocational training and building of new skills.
• Matching skills with economic opportunities and promotion of social innovation.
• Identification of target groups and types of the specific interventions (target groups, volume, terms, purpose, etc.).
• Designing the criteria for selection the projects for direct intervention.
• Assessment of current data and evidence related to inclusive growth and development, identify gaps and contribute to evidence/data collection for better targeting the rural development policy and service delivery.
• Provision of inputs and recommendations for ensuring high synergy between the project’s components.
• Regular and effective cooperation with ESTDEV, national counterparts and other stakeholders, including national regional local stakeholders, EUs other partners of ENPARD, LAGs and CSOs.
• Provision of technical advice related to the design and organization of the respective project events.
• Provision of timely, high-quality inputs for reporting in coordination with other staff members.
• Provision of inputs for designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation system for the project’s economic diversification related activities.
• Contribute to elaboration of related Terms of References (ToRs) and other required documentations in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Provision of technical guidance on rural economic diversification, employment and services to the project’s implementing partners, including but not limited to capacity development, establishment of beneficiaries’ grant schemes and other delivery mechanisms.

Contribute to relevant tasks related to improved rural development governance system for integrated and effective policy development and implementation and sustainable use of forest resources and improved environmental protection and climate action:

• Provision of inputs to advance institutional and technical capacities of MEPA and IACC and its working groups in rural development planning and implementation.
• Provision of inputs to strengthened bottom-up and area-based approach in Rural Development policy development and implementation.
• Provision of inputs for enhanced availability of evidence-based data and mapping information at central, regional and municipal level.
• Provision of inputs as part of the collection of evidence, good practices and lessons learned on LAG experience.
• Provision of inputs and recommendations for the commissioning of new research to inform annual RDAP reviews and the drafting of future RDAPs.
• Provision of inputs and recommendations to improve integration of governance and coordination systems for rural development.
• Provision of inputs and recommendations in support to organised civil society, private sector and rural communities for more active engagement and participation in rural development.
• Provision of inputs and recommendations in support to regional authorities and municipalities for more active engagement and participation in rural development.
• Provision of inputs and recommendations for creating an effective learning network on rural development in Georgia.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Project Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager for tasks related to improved rural services, infrastructure, empowered rural women and inclusive rural development (outcome 2).

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

• Negotiation and Influence:
  • Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage  in   the   outcome  of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win -win’ situations
• Human- centered Design:
  • Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process
• Partnership Management:
  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• Communication:
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• 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
• Knowledge of applicable legal framework:
  • Understanding of the legal norms as applied to the United Nations in general, and to UNDP in particular. This includes an understanding of the structure, functioning and operations of UNDP within the broader UN system and the application of international treaties, including the UN Charter, GA resolutions, the relevant basic country assistance agreement and UN system-wide legal instruments, as well as an understanding of the internal legal framework (financial regulations and rules, policies, and procedures) of UNDP.