Project Analyst (NPSA-8)

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

The USAID-funded Partnering for Resilience Program (hereinafter the “project”) is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with four UN Agencies: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). The project aims to foster the peacebuilding and conflict transformation with an ultimate goal to promote an enabling environment for sustainable peace.

The project builds on the success and lessons learned from previous and current interventions of UNDP and UN partner organizations in support of conflict-affected communities and the lasting peace in general. The project has three objectives to reach the ultimate goal of the intervention:

Objective 1: Improved enabling environment and increased demand for sustainable peace

Objective 2: Expanded interaction and confidence-building opportunities

Objective 3: Strengthened information ecosystem

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of UNDP CPR Team Leader, the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and in close collaboration with the project team, the Project Analyst carries out the daily activities of the project and supports in planning, implementation, programmatic oversight and reporting on project-related activities.

Contribute to coordinated, coherent and efficient workflow processes for smooth implementation of the project:

Contribute to the announcement of Calls and pre-screening of project proposals submitted by local CSOs and partners.

Prepare grant agreements and/or procurement contracts with partner organizations, as needed.

Assist in planning and implementation of capacity building activities and/or thematic meetings, including attracting relevant expertise, dissemination of invitations, preparation of agenda, minutes, and other relevant documents for project activities and events.

In cooperation with other team members ensure the development of ToRs for short-term and long-term consultancies.

Prepare background information for external consultants, as needed.

Support the organization of external evaluation and audit/verification missions.

Support other team members in comprehensive and timely reporting to the USAID and UNDP.

Advise the UNDP and USAID on developments and critical issues as relevant to the ongoing programming.

Ensure donor and UNDP visibility in all activities performed within the project.

Perform workflow processes in full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as ensure effective internal controls.

Planning, implementing and overseeing field activities:

Provide support in the monitoring of project activities, to assess overall project implementation with respect to project objectives, outputs, and indicators.

Prepare inputs to the formulation of Annual Work Plans as well as contribute to budgeting for annual activities.

Support in coordination and synergies with UN sub-partners of USAID Partnering for Resilience Program and with other UNDP supported projects at the local level.

Engage with project partners to ensure smooth implementation of project sub-activities.

Keep track of the programmatic potential risks and design/implement risk mitigation measures.

Support international and local consultants in performing relevant activities in Abkhazia.

Provide technical assistance when organizing training such as in complexity-aware monitoring tools, as well as knowledge building events including online sessions (training, awareness-raising campaign, information exchange session).

Building partnerships with key stakeholders at the local level and other partners:

Establish and maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders, local authorities, non-government organizations, academia, and private sectors.

Ensure understanding of project goals, approaches and expected results by key partners at the local level through awareness-raising initiatives and dissemination of information.

Through various interventions (meetings, presentation, negotiations, etc.) ensure the project buy-in from critical partners at the local level.

Provide liaison support for the project management on the field and the local government and related partner.

Maintain collaboration and coordination with grant beneficiaries under the project to ensure programmatic integration and sharing of best practices.

Contribute to internal communication and coordination at the project level with relevant CO units (both programme and operations units).

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

Contribute to networking and experience sharing between the grantees and other key stakeholders and provide assistance in organizing specific activities within the frames of the project.

Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.

Take an active role to develop and support the knowledge management plan and relevant publications, documentation to capture all the data, information storage, lessons learned, and success stories.

Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of UNDP CPR Team Leader, the direct supervision of the USAID Project Manager and in close collaboration with the project team. The Project Analyst is expected to service the project at a rate of 100%.

Competencies

Core Competencies

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

Business Direction and Strategy- Entrepreneurial Thinking

Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate

Business Management – 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

Partnership management- Relationship management

Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Partnership management – Emerging partnerships

Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships

Partnership management – Strategic engagement

Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

Partnership management – CSO engagement

Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, International Relations, or a related discipline.

Bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in project planning and implementation, working with relevant stakeholders and communities.

Experience of working in dynamic environments would be an asset.

Prior experience working with local CSOs in the field of youth empowerment, education, confidence-building, and/or healthcare would be an asset.

Experience of working in UNDP and the UN system; including knowledge of its practices and procedures would be an asset.

Prior work and experience in conflict-sensitive programming would be an asset.

Required Skills:

Awareness/understanding and consideration of Do No Harm principle

Ability to conduct strategic planning, results-based management and reporting

Ability to lead monitoring activities of management projects

Strong communication, strategic planning, and analytical skills

Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines

A proactive approach to problem-solving

Computer literacy.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English and Russian languages (written and spoken) is required.

Knowledge of Abkhaz would be highly desirable.