Project Analyst

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
In Pakistan, UNDP is working with the Government of Pakistan, civil society, national partners, and the people of Pakistan to help find solutions to persistent development challenges. Its work derives from and contributes to four outcome areas of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027) which include: governance; sustainable, inclusive and green economic transformation; climate change resilience and environment; and gender equality and women’s empowerment. Supported by enablers, UNDP uses a portfolio approach in Pakistan, triangulating structural transformation, leaving no one behind, and building resilience.
UNDP's country programme document for Pakistan envisions that all Pakistani people are educated and healthy, their well-being promoted and protected through economic opportunities, jobs and a climate-resilient future in a country where women and girls are safe and able to exercise their rights and to put their trust in and benefit from improved governance.

Resilience, Environment and Climate Change Unit (RECCU) is supporting projects across the country to respond to the growing threat of climate change, to mainstream environmental concerns into national development planning processes, and to expand access to environmental and energy services for the poor. In particular, UNDP has sought to ensure that the poor have stronger capacities to manage, adapt, and monitor climate change. Climate Change is a huge development challenge as well as a huge environmental challenge. It is a growing problem and is now hitting the poorest and the most vulnerable first and hardest.
The 2022 floods in Pakistan have affected 33 million people, resulted in the loss of more than 1,700 lives, displaced around 9 million men, women, and children, and inundated almost one-third of productive agricultural land in Pakistan. These downstream challenges are compounded with institutional issues whereby the Government of Pakistan requires support for developing overarching frameworks to structure its flood response activities and technical expertise to set up and develop bankable projects, establish standardized mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, and enhance strategic communications for public outreach.

UNDP has responded to the challenge by developing and launching a flagship Flood Recovery Programme (FRP) to support the Government of Pakistan’s flood recovery and rehabilitation efforts. The Programme has four key objectives dealing with the following thematic areas:

• Restoration of housing and access to/revival of essential community services.
• Restoration of livelihoods and income-generating capacities.
• Restoration of governance and service delivery.
• Accelerated environmental clean-up with strengthened capacities for Disaster Risk Management. 

Against this background, FRP is looking for a Project Analyst who will support the FRP team in managing the day-to-day project implementation. The incumbent will assist in the design and implementation of project activities, while ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. The Project Analyst will demonstrate a client-oriented approach, tact, and ability to work with people of different cultural backgrounds. S/he will work in close collaboration with other project colleagues of the FRP team, as well as with other UNDP Pakistan CO units, government officials, technical advisors and experts, donors and civil society to successfully implement the activities.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FRP Programme Manager, the Project Analyst will report to the Programme Specialist. He/She will be based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The Project Analyst will be directly responsible for successfully completing the below set of tasks within allotted, agreed-upon time frames:

Coordinate effective project planning and implementation

• Works with the FRP team in the identification, preparation, implementation, review and adjustments in the overall programme implementation strategies.
• Develops assigned sections of Annual Work and Financial Plans, Monitoring and Evaluation Plans, and Communications Plans. 
• Participates in the analysis and summarizing of proposals on the assigned thematic areas.
• Ensures oversight of project activities in the field and produces monthly implementation progress reports with specific attention to the assigned priority areas.
• Supports preparation of various reports.
• Carries out implementation of assigned tasks and activities and submits specific deliverables assigned by the Programme Manager on a quarterly basis.

Provide effective support and contributes to the efficient management and monitoring of the project

• Contributes in preparation of programme document drafts, work plans, budgets, low-value agreements, proposals on implementing arrangements.
• Contributes in preparation of required budget revisions.
• Supports tracking of financial resources; follow-up on performance indicators / success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports in close cooperation with FRP M&E team.
• Prepares quarterly progress reports with analysis of financial implications and impact on programme delivery targets
• Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards.
• Identify, analyze, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks.
• Conduct field visits to project location sites.

Provision of administrative guidance to the project and establish strategic partnerships

• Provide guidance in the elaboration of proper control of the supporting documents for payments, initial review of financial reports.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system, which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed.
• Management of logistical /travel support for events, workshops, trainings, etc.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned programme/project.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the project focusing on gender, diversity and achievement of the following results:

• Organization and facilitation of trainings for the programme / project personnel and project counterparts.
• Synthesis of Lessons Learnt and Best Practices from the Project’s implementation. 
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Uphold the non-discriminatory behaviour and ensure that:
• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions.
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UN”.
• All forms of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production.
• Differentiated needs of women, men and persons with non-binary gender identities are considered.
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created.
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings, etc.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
 

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     

• 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 

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 
• Partnerships Management: 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 

Finance

• Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets

Procurement

• Contract management: Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations 
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, including Development Studies, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, or a related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in above mentioned areas 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 development sector, project management and communications/advocacy/reporting is required.

Required skills

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Proven experience of effective engagement with national and provincial government counterparts, development partners and civil society is desired.
• Proven experience with project management and project implementation is desired. 
• Relevant work experience in sustainable area development policy and programming, community engagement and development at the level of communities is an advantage. 
• Previous experience in International Organizations, OR UN Agencies, OR UNDP is an advantage, particularly with knowledge of business processes.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Urdu languages 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.

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