Job Description

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
• Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

UNDP multi-country office of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society.

In Malaysia, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Malaysia and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Malaysia Plan. Malaysia is about to implement the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), which is anchored around three key themes namely resetting economy, strengthening security, wellbeing and inclusivity; and advancing sustainability to achieve economic growth and transform Malaysia into a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable country.

The Strategy & Analytics’ Unit of UNDP Malaysia supports the government’s demand for policy consultancy, evidence-based dialogue, and strategic insights. The unit synthesises lessons from UNDP’s programmes and projects to inform national development strategies, particularly in areas such as SDG integration, inclusive growth, and climate resilience. At the same time, the Unit strengthens internal capabilities on research through acting in an advisory manner to support programme teams such as provision of data and statistics for presentations and projects, knowledge management of UNDP Malaysia’s reports and publications, as well as monitoring & evaluation, among others.

This role will support the Unit’s efforts to establish and strengthen data systems, curate knowledge products, and conduct policy-relevant research. This role will also establish and strengthen knowledge management practices in the CO. In performing these tasks, the Analyst will work closely with government agencies, UN entities, and civil society to ensure that data and evidence are effectively mobilised for decision-making and public engagement. The Analyst will also work closely with the Development Economist, programme teams, and the communications team to strengthen relevant functions internally.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will report to the Development Economist and work closely with the Strategy & Analytics team, management team, country office programme/project staffs, and external partners including government agencies, academia, and civil society organisations.

Ensure Data Management and Analysis

• Design and maintain structured databases for project and policy data.
• Support data cleaning, validation, and integration from multiple sources.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform policy briefs and reports.
• Develop visualizations and dashboards for internal and external use.

Provision of Research and Policy Support

• Conduct desk research and literature reviews on development topics.
• Draft policy notes, briefs, and background papers.
• Support the synthesis of lessons learned from UNDP projects and pilots.
• Contribute to the development of strategic insights for government partners.

Facilitate Capacity Building and Engagement

• Organize workshops and training sessions on data literacy and evidence use.
• Support stakeholder engagement processes, including consultations and roundtables.
• Promote the use of data and knowledge in public discourse and policymaking.

Ensure Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Track progress of knowledge and research activities that can be used as M&E indicators.
• Prepare periodic reports and presentations for internal and external audiences.

Facilitate Knowledge Management

• Curate and organize knowledge products, including reports, presentations, and toolkits.
• Maintain a digital repository of project outputs, policy resources, and publications.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing across UNDP teams and external stakeholders.
• Support the development of knowledge platforms and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization, and as may assigned by the Supervisor from time to time.

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 & Strategy

• Strategic Thinking – Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
• Systems 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
• Negotiation and Influence – Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation – Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business Management

• Project Management – Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• 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

Ethics

• UN Policy knowledge – Ethics – Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Data Science, Statistics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Mathematics, other Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, or related fields is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in data analysis, research, or knowledge management.

Desired skills

• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and research, with a track record of undertaking quantitative and/or evidence-based research
• Experience in managing and analyzing datasets.
• Strong writing and research skills, with a publication track record.
• Familiarity with SDG frameworks and development indicators
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Experience in application of statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS, Stata).
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Certifications in data analysis
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and up-to-date, advanced knowledge of data management tools and database packages

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Bahasa Melayu is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.