Research and Knowledge Management Analyst

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

The Central Asia region has a long history of disaster impacts, which on average cost $10 billion in estimated economic losses and affect more than 3 million people annually. The region has a complex risk profile, with growing impacts of climate change, high environmental degradation, and pollution, conflicts, as well as new and emerging security risks and threats. The population of the region, especially in urban areas, is highly exposed to the impacts of these hazards, and urbanization is outpacing risk reduction and adaptation efforts of governments in the region.

In particular, Japan’s expertise in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction is vital. A prime example of this is the project “Enhancing Urban Resilience to Disaster Risk and Climate Change in Central Asia,” funded by the Government of Japan, amongst other similar projects funded in Central Asia. The overall objective of this project is to support all five Central Asian countries in building climate resilience, with a particular focus on urban areas. The project will emphasize enhancing regional cooperation and partnerships through existing coordination platforms, while introducing innovative urban planning approaches based on practical experiences and lessons learned from countries like Japan.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Energy and Environment Unit of UNDP Kazakhstan, with secondary reporting line to the relevant project managers or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

Provide technical and research support, and functional inputs for projects’ implementation funded by the Government of Japan. The Volunteer will assist in the achievement of projects’ objectives and outputs through research, coordination, and contributing to the development and application of innovative urban planning and resilience-building approaches. The Volunteer will collaborate closely with the Project Managers, the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub Climate and Disaster Resilience Team, and local and international partners to ensure alignment with projects’ goals, effective coordination, and gather valuable local insights to strengthen their outcomes.

Provide Research Functions and Technical Support:

• Provide advice on technical and policy aspects of projects, focusing on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, urban resilience, and risk governance, amongst others.
• Assist with research in line with international best practices, regional needs, and global frameworks (Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework, and 2030 Agenda).
• Work with the Project Managers to keep projects on track and provide support in implementation.
• Help with annual reports by drafting and reviewing progress updates on projects’ achievements, challenges, and strategies.
• Support technical input for project activities by collaborating with key partners like UNDP Country Offices, UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, and national governments, embassies of Japan in all five Central Asian countries and other international partners.
• Learn and contribute innovative urban resilience practices, including relevant experiences from Japan.
• Perform other relevant tasks as needed.

Capacity Building, Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:

• Assist in creating capacity-building activities focusing on climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and urban planning, amongst others.
• Assist in strengthening regional coordination platforms with the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub Climate and Disaster Resilience Team, project manager, and coordinators in all five Central Asian countries.
• Coordinate knowledge sharing by organizing exchanges between project countries and international partners to share best practices and ensure effective communication.
• Support dialogues with Japanese counterparts, embassies, and organizations to exchange knowledge and technical expertise.
• Support events, webinars, and other knowledge-sharing activities to provide platforms for stakeholders to engage and learn from each other.
• Support knowledge management by ensuring project documentation, lessons learned, and best practices are captured and shared with stakeholders.
• Support field missions and recruitment when needed.
• Perform other relevant tasks as needed.