Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
1- Description
In its “Vision 2035”, the Government aims to consolidate the country’s position as a major commercial and logistics hub on the continent, making economic growth, human capital development, good governance, regional integration, and peace its main priorities. In this context, establishing a transparent, accountable, and reliable governance system and strengthening institutions appear as essential factors in contributing to the socio‑economic development that Djibouti aspires to, by restoring trust in institutions and unlocking the potential of the private sector for human capital development.
Although growth levels have been robust in recent years, Djibouti’s economy remains heavily dependent on its port and its economic relationship with Ethiopia, which presents structural vulnerabilities and a lack of diversification in the country’s sources of growth. GDP is expected to maintain a growth rate of 6% in 2025 and stabilize at 5.5% in the medium term.
From a development perspective, poverty, livelihoods, inequality, access to electricity and associated costs remain major development challenges. Djibouti’s progress toward achieving the SDGs remains below the average for both Sub‑Saharan Africa and Arab States, with a low global ranking of 149 out of 167 countries. While the high poverty rate persists, especially in rural areas (82% compared to 36% in urban areas), GDP per capita has significantly increased over the last decade, rising from USD 2,376 per capita in 2015 to USD 3,276 in 2024. The overall Human Development Index has shown improvements, increasing from 0.47 in 2015 to 0.51 in 2023, but Djibouti remains in the low development category (175 out of 193). However, the poverty incidence (43.4%) and the Gini coefficient (42%) have both increased, partly due to the influx of economic migrants. The unemployment rate currently stands at 25.88%, and the informal sector represents a large share of the economy, indicating a high level of social vulnerability for a significant portion of the population.
The National Development Plan “Djibouti ICI” expired in 2024, and a new national development plan for 2025–2030 will be launched in February 2026. In parallel, Djibouti finalized and submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 2.0 to the UNFCCC.
UNDP Djibouti has also been actively supporting the Government of Djibouti in developing the 2025–2030 national development plan linked to an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), including a Development Financing Assessment (DFA) that will support holistic financing approaches encompassing public, private, domestic, and international sources for the new NDP.
In the area of public finance, tax revenue mobilization remains significantly lower than in comparable countries: the global average for lower‑middle‑income countries was 15.72% of GDP in 2022, compared to 11.7% for Djibouti in the same year. Tax revenues have since decreased and are expected to remain below 2022 levels in the medium term, suggesting the need for a new robust medium‑term revenue strategy to substantially strengthen efforts and approaches aimed at broadening tax bases and improving compliance in tax collection. Djibouti’s tax expenditures have represented more than 100% of the total tax revenues mobilized in recent years, and in 2024 still represented more than 80%.
With support from technical and financial partners, the Government prepared a Public Financial Management (PFM) system performance report following the PEFA methodology in 2023. Following the PEFA assessment, the Government developed a 2024–2027 Action Plan for its operationalization. UNDP is among the technical and financial partners who have positioned themselves to support the implementation of the PFM action plan, particularly in taxation.
2- Scope of work
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Governance Programme Specialist, the Project Analyst in Public Finance contributes to the implementation and development of the strategy and activities of the UNDP Governance Unit through the projects under his/her responsibility. The sectoral areas include, but are not limited to: development financing, public finance, transparency and accountability in public financial management, taxation, feasibility studies, and economic analyses.
The Project Analyst will be responsible for:
1. Ensuring effective management of the project under his/her responsibility within the Governance Unit, focusing on achieving the following results:
- Substantive and financial monitoring of the project, identification of operational and financial issues, and development of solutions;
- Preparation and successful implementation of project activities;
- Coordination of project activities and strengthening synergies for better optimization of knowledge and resources;
- Effective collaboration and establishment of strong working relationships with national authorities, NGOs, civil society organizations, UN agencies, donors, and other relevant partners;
- Establishment and regular monitoring of an effective monitoring and evaluation system based on the results frameworks of assigned projects, in collaboration with the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist;
- Effective application of results‑based management tools;
- Contribution to project communication, including drafting activity, output, and results reports for donors and UNDP headquarters;
- Quality control of technical documents developed under the projects.
2. Actively contributing to the effective management of the country programme in the assigned sectoral areas, focusing on achieving the following results:
- Support in the formulation of strong project proposals in support of the Governance Unit;
- Contribution to the creation of strategic partnerships and the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
- Contribution to the preparation of comprehensive annual/periodic reports on program activities, results, outcomes, and priorities;
- Close collaboration, ensuring synergies and coherence with various UNDP teams (Environment & Climate Change / Livelihoods) involved in development financing for improved coordination.
- Supporting the Programme Specialist in an advisory role and contributing to the development of analytical work on development financing.
- Contribution to in‑depth analysis and research on the political, social, legal, and economic situation of the country, and preparation of substantive inputs for the CCA, UNDAF, UNSDCF, CPD, and other documents.
3. Contributing to the facilitation of knowledge development and management, focusing on achieving the following results:
- Effective contribution to knowledge networks and communities of practice in the assigned sectoral areas.
- Identification of information sources related to best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the objectives of the country program.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
3- Institutional Arrangements
The Project Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (NOC) of the Governance Programme and will be based 100% at UNDP Djibouti
4- Competencies
Core Competencies
| Competency | Description |
| Achieve Results | LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work |
| Think Innovatively | LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking |
| Learn Continuously | LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning |
| Adapt with Agility | LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process |
| Act with Determination | LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously |
| Engage and Partner | LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion | LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making |
People Management Competencies
UNDP’s people management competencies are available on the dedicatedsite..
Cross‑Functional & Technical Competencies
| Thematic Area | Competency Name | Definition |
| Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals. |
| Business Management | Results‑Based Management | Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improving performance and demonstrable results. |
| Business Management | Resource Management | Ability to allocate and use resources strategically or tactically while upholding principles of accountability and integrity. |
| Business Management | Partnership Management | Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with broad networks of stakeholders—governments, civil society, private sector, experts—aligned with UNDP strategy and policies. |
| Business Management | Communication | • Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and unambiguously, both in writing and orally; adapt messages and select communication methods based on audience. \n• Ability to manage internal and external communication through media, social media, and other appropriate channels. |
|
Corporate Strategy & Direction |
System Thinking |
Ability to use objective analysis and judgment to understand how interdependent elements coexist within an overall system or process, and how modifying one element may affect others. |
| Information Management & Technology | IT Tools Management | Ability to manage projects using IT methodologies and approaches such as agile deployment and/or waterfall system development methods. |
5- Minimum Qualifications of the Candidate
| Minimum Education Requirements |
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, statistics, or a related field. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. |
| Minimum Years of Relevant Work 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 of relevant experience in development financing, public finance, transparency and accountability in public financial management, taxation, and economic studies and analyses. |
| Required Skills |
• Previous work experience in the field of economics and development financing. • Project management skills. • Excellent command of ICT tools, particularly Microsoft Office products. |
| Desired Skills (in addition to those listed in the Competencies section) |
Direct work experience with government institutions is an asset. Proven ability to communicate and work effectively in a team. Excellent writing and presentation skills. |
| Required Language(s) |
Fluency in French is required . Knowledge of English would be an asset. |
| Professional Certifications | Holding PMP and/or PRINCE2 certifications, or equivalent, would be an advantage. |
6- Required Documents from Applicants
The following documents are required from applicants:
- Personal CV or P11, indicating all previously held positions and their main underlying functions, their duration (month/year), qualifications, as well as the candidate’s contact details (email and phone number), and at least three (3) most recent professional references from former supervisors. References may also include peers.
- A motivation letter (maximum 1 page) explaining why the candidate considers themselves suitable for the position.
- Hiring managers may request (on an ad‑hoc basis) any other document useful for the pre‑assessment of the relevance of the candidate’s experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.
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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