Back Programme Analyst, Peace

UNDP Global Mission Statement:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:

UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, helps countries to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock. In Afghanistan, a country in conflict, UNDP works for development and recovery choices that reduce vulnerability and contribute a development perspective to strengthen humanitarian and peace-building responses. 

Organizational Context

UNDP is committed to supporting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) with the achievement of its core objectives of self-reliance and peace and helping it to meet the challenge of the transition from a war to a peace economy. To meet these goals, the Government has identified a comprehensive set of national priorities in the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF). To achieve the Agenda 2030, the Government has also developed a set of 16 Afghan Sustainable Development Goals (A-SDGs) and ten national priority programs (NPPs) to place the country on a path towards sustainable development. Progress towards self-reliance and peace across the country will be guided and measured by the targets and indicators described in each of these frameworks. 

To support the Government’s efforts to implement the ANPDF, NPPs and the A-SDGs, UNDP offers a unique and highly integrated model for sustainable development based mainly on its traditional strengths in three main areas: 

In addition, UNDP now has the Mandate to support SDG Integration to ensure faster progress on sustainable development and can offer support in four areas, (1) Integrated policy and  programming solutions, (2) SDG metrics, data and analysis using state-of-the-art tools for modelling and forecasting, (3) Knowledge and innovation and (4) SDG Financing services to help countries identify innovative ways to expand public and private contributions to reach the 2030 agenda. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted an urgent need to adopt a Systems Approach that is orientated towards building Resilience to future shocks through continuously reviewed scenario analyses. 

However, to make significant progress on the many highly complex development issues that face the country will require new ways of thinking, new skills and a much more collaborative and inclusive approach. UNDP will need to: 

This job description is a direct response to these needs and UNDP’s improved business model. It reflects a new office structure that has recently been put in place to support the vision expressed in an emerging portfolio of ten new Country Office (CO) programmes and to facilitate a more collaborative approach to work across the office and with external partners. This structure is also designed to provide the foundation for a new emphasis on sub-national level work, support higher delivery rates, and to transform UNDP into a learning organization and ‘fit-for-purpose’ to deliver on Agenda 2030 which in turn will support national staff and institutional capacity development. 

The design of UNDP’s new programme portfolio is intended to support progress towards sustainable development and sustainable peace. It focuses on economic transformation, sustainable energy, social protection, environment and climate change, and governance issues such as anti-corruption, local government, justice and security sector reform, peace and reconciliation. The design of each of these programmes is based on the UN’s three core principles of human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability and is guided by the UNDP Strategic Plan (2018-2021). Taken together and implemented in an integrated way through a platform approach, the proposed programmes will contribute towards achieving Peace, Prosperity and Sustainability in Afghanistan. Each of these themes is reflected in the new organizational structure for the CO.

In this context, the Peace portfolio within the programme team provides thought leadership on cross-cutting development issues in Afghanistan, and globally, to ensure that UNDP’s mandate of convening development partners in support of the national development agenda, informed by a commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, is amplified by internal knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice.

The Programme Analyst works under the overall guidance of the Assistant Representative who heads the Peace Portfolio. S/he also works in close collaboration with the Portfolio Specialist, another Programme Analyst and Associate within the unit.  The Programme Analyst’s work is support of Afghanistan’s country programme in the area of sustainable Peace. S/he provides quality technical advice to the ARR-P in his or her work area. 

1) Supports strategic development of Governance and Sustainable Peace Programme activities from design through implementation, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• In collaboration with the Programme Analyst (NOB) ensures contribution to the CPD though ongoing Peace programmes and projects and in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identifies opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies;
• In collaboration with the Programme Analyst (NOB) contributes components of UNDP Peace portfolio translating programme priorities into local interventions and ensuring coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders and programme partners; 
• Collaborates with colleagues in Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) and HQ to apply in country programming new global and regional initiatives, polices and knowledge products that further the Peace Portfolio. 

2) Manages assigned programme components, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provides technical guidance, subject matter input on the Peace portfolio
• Ensures effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of result, as quality assurance, ROAR, IWP etc.; 
• Supports with the development of programme / outcome level work plan, monitoring plan, human resources and procurement plans;
• Supports in the preparation of ad hoc reports; ensures timely completion of required quarterly and annual reports;
• Ensures project and programme reviews and evaluations take place; 
• Maintains regular contact with project and programme counterparts in order to ensure monitoring of projects' progress, monitoring of unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results;
• Organizes regular coordination across outcome teams and other projects to ensure synergies and integration; promotes cross component and cross programme collaboration; 
• Supports audit exercises of portfolio work if/when required; 

3) Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports resource mobilization, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Implements CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategy to achieve programme outcomes;
• Researches and analyses information on existing and new partners;
• Develops ideas and concepts for possible areas of cooperation;
• Establishes close working relationships and creates programmatic linkages with relevant government agencies; UN Agencies, IFI’s, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society;
• Suggests programmatic areas of co-operation based on UNDP´s strategic goals, country needs and donor priorities;
• Identifies funding opportunities for ongoing and new projects;
• Identifies and supports development of national partnerships for service provision to projects in areas such as monitoring, training, and others;
• Represents UNDP at external meetings within his/her area of programming.

4) Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identifies sources of information related to policy-driven issues; identifies and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Coordinates and ensures integration in project design the development of policies, institutions and advocacy that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
• Supports the establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks;
• Implements relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns with key partners;
• Ensures that lessons learned from projects are captured and recorded into the CO knowledge networks.

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical/Functional

Primary

Trends and emerging areas analytics

Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Results-Based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Partnerships

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

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals t Management

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Secondary

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)

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, Political Science, Economics, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Law, Public Administration, Peacebuilding or related field;

• Master’s with 0 years or Bachelor’s with 2 years of progressively responsible experience in Governance and Sustainable Peace programme/project management in international development organizations, bilateral development agencies and/or international NGOs. · 
• Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset.   
• Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams. 
• Proven programme management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation). 
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills 

• Fluency in English. 
• Dari/Pashtu language will be an advantage.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension