Back Programme Analyst

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.

 Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for positioning UNDP as the world’s leading global development agency, promoting its global authority and thought leadership on sustainable development and the interconnected issues of poverty, inequality, and climate change. BERA leads and supports UNDP in building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances essential to achieving its mission. Creating strong political and financial backing for UNDP by providing partners and supporters with a clear understanding of what UNDP does and how our mission, capabilities and flagship services relate to them. The Bureau leads UNDP’s work on innovative and diversified partnerships and ways of financing the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also responsible for global campaigns on critical development issues, which aim to inform government policies and build partnerships around high-impact solutions. BERA coordinates and sets corporate standards across the functions of partnerships, marketing and communications within UNDP and leads on internal communications.

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy is positioned around three service lines; Public Partnership; Advocacy, Marketing and Communications; and Private and Finance Partners, all working in close collaboration and coordination under the guidance of the Directorate and with the support of the Management Support Unit and Strategic Analysis and Engagement team. BERA has a robust network of Representation Offices (Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo and Washington D.C.) and Regional Teams in five hubs (Africa, Arab States, Asia Pacific, Europe and CIS, and Latin American and the Caribbean) co-led with Regional Bureaux, all of which play a critical role in audience centric communications and management and strengthening of relationships with Public and Private Partners to help build a strong brand for UNDP within the local ecosystem.

The Brussels Representation Office services the European Commission/European Union (EC/EU) and other EU related institutions, UNDP Country Offices (COs), Regional Centers (RCs) as well as HQ, in view of maintaining sound relations in terms of programme/project implementation, policy dialogue and a deepening of the present partnership between the two institutions.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Director, the Programme Analyst works within the EU Contracts Management Unit, under direct supervision of the EU Engagement Specialist in close collaboration with the different units within the Office, including Projects, other UN Agencies, COs, RSCs and HQ, ensuring adequate formulation of new contractual documents, trouble-shooting, quality control and general implementation matters.

The Programme Analyst engages in the Office’s endeavor to explore and engage upon further facilitation of the EC/UNDP relationship. S/he maintains direct relations with EC/EU counterparts in order to foster information sharing, mutual knowledge and further enhancement of the EC/UNDP partnership. Contributing to the Office’s overall efforts in developing, maintaining and sustaining a solid and constructive partnership with the EC, the Programme Analyst contributes towards ensuring the appropriate protection and promotion of the EC-UNDP partnership.

1)    Support to the creation, development and solidification of strategic partnerships with the EU institutions and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy

• Provide contractual- and substantive- inputs during the formulation and negotiation processes of Country Offices, Regional Centers and Bureaus when engaging with the European Commission/EU delegations;
• Support resource mobilization strategies in all regions; revise regional project proposals channeled through the Brussels Office and ensure their compliance with established contractual frameworks;
• Assist UNDP Offices and implementing units with securing clearance of all agreements sent to the Brussels Office for review, in line with UNDP’s established procedures;
• Oversee the collection, analysis and systematization of the data pertaining to the EC-UN/UNDP partnership;
• Maintain positive working relations with clients and facilitate effective information sharing between EC task managers and UNDP;
• Identify opportunities for further strengthening, developing and solidifying UNDP’s partnership with the EU/EC.

2)    Provide high quality contractual advisory services and guidance to the UNDP Offices with respect to the implementation of EU-funded actions

• Advise on the execution, monitoring and closing of EU-funded projects and programmes in accordance with applicable contractual framework and established regulations;
• Assist UNDP Offices and implementing units to understand and comply with EU contractual milestones and other implementation requirements, including verification;
• Act as “early warning” mechanism, alerting UNDP Offices and implementing units to new requirements, approaching deadlines etc. ; prevent problematic cases to negatively affect the EC-UNDP partnership;
• Advise on problem-solving and corrective measures when necessary.

3)    Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

• Engage in strategic learning, planning, advocacy and visibility activities in view of maintaining and increasing EC funding;
• Identify, synthesize and disseminate best practices and lessons learnt;
• Review reports, as applicable and build capacities of UNDP Offices and implementing units with regard to EU reporting and contractual requirements;
• Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing on contractual aspects of the EC-UNDP partnership.

4)    Assist in coordinating the UN Brussels Team’s actions vis-à-vis the EC regarding legal, contractual and implementation-related affairs

• Assist the team in concerting UN agencies undertakings with EC/EU counterparts in relation to contractual and procedural aspects of the EU-UN cooperation;
• Participate and contribute to meetings where contractual or procedural questions related to the UN partnership with the EU institutions are concerned;
• Network and build constructive relations with EC counterparts involved in programming and contractual matters;
• Maintain the Office’s databases on EU-UN(DP) agreements;
• Undertake other assignments within the incumbent’s area of competence, as may be reasonably required.

Core

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional

Intergovernmental Affairs

• Knowledge of EU institutions including respective mandates and ways of working.

Knowledge Management

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Knowledge of methodologies, tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations.

Partnerships

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Quality Assurance

• Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to insure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.

Relationship Management

• Ability to engage with other parties and forge productive working relationships.

Resource Mobilization

• Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources (definition is unclear and not well linked to the stated competency).

Report Writing

• Ability to prepare quality reports.

Research (General)

• Knowledge of analytical tools and methods for undertaking substantive research on various policy related issues.

Risk Management

• Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them.

People Management

• Ability to ascertain need, plan, design, and execute training.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management and advisory services;
• Solid command of the European Commission’s policies and implementation modalities for external development and humanitarian assistance;
• Good knowledge of the existing EU-UN contractual frameworks desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and French.
• Knowledge of Spanish an asset.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

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Contract Duration: 2 Year with possibility for extension