Policy Specialist, Performance Monitoring and Analytics

New York City

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: New York City
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Political Affairs
- Legal - Broad
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Closing Date: 2025-04-16

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Since 2017, UNDP has put in place progressive, stringent measures aimed at resetting its business model, consolidating financial viability, and increasing business efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, the organization has engaged extensively with the Executive Board on several initiatives to complement and further strengthen the control and oversight of UNDP’s organizational performance, in both programme and management.

The Executive Office is the coordinating platform through which the Administrator provides leadership and strategic guidance to the organization, guides the elaboration of its strategic and programmatic priorities, and ensure that UNDP’s overall management and internal coordination are conducted in full compliance with its mandate, accountability and reporting requirements.

The Corporate Performance Unit (CPU) within UNDP’s Executive Office is designed to further support and complement the existing corporate oversight of operational and programmatic risks and ensure that emerging opportunities are effectively leveraged. The CPU works in close coordination and consultation with relevant existing teams across the organization, acting as a dedicated interface to deliver timely, harmonized analysis, insight, and advice on organizational performance to the Administrator.

Within the CPU, The Results and Performance Analytics (RPA) team manages data analytics of the UNDP’s accountability framework, namely, the Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF), from data collection, process, analysis and reporting. The team provides evidence from multiple sources for senior level decision-making, report-writing and planning. The RPA team contributes to UNDP’s and the international community’s understanding of what works and what does not work in effecting development change in UNDP’s Strategic Plan (SP) programme priority areas, and how this understanding can drive knowledge creation and dissemination, innovation and scaling up, and more productive partnerships.

Position Purpose:

The Policy Specialist, Performance Monitoring and Analytics will perform evidence-based research to inform decision making, with a focus on the UNDP SP and IRRF. The incumbent will contribute to the design, collection, modeling, aggregation and statistical analysis of data relating to performance against the SP. The incumbent will provide organizational support on data analysis, performance monitoring and RBM for higher quality programmes and build an effective network of M&E Specialists and those involved in data analysts across the organization for lesson learning and to foster a data-driven culture/champions.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure data analytics and evidence-based research to inform decision making

Perform analytics and research based on corporate performance, data and other evidence focused on the UNDP SP and its IRRF in order to inform senior management decision making.
Network with analysts in BPPS, SPGP the Global Policy Centers, CRU, BERA and RBx on performance models and analyses for the best possible products and to facilitate dynamic exchange of ideas to generate innovative new approaches to data capture, analysis and research on results and performance.
Support the production of strategic materials (briefs, proposals and/or position papers) for senior management (e.g. OPG/EG) on data analysis and evidence on performance and results with recommendations and advice on what this means for UNDP’s performance and approaches.
Keep abreast of what other agencies and organizations are doing in the areas of business analytics and performance monitoring, methods and systems to inform UNDP’s research agenda.

Ensure data analysis, monitoring and reporting on performance against the Strategic Plan

Contribute to the design, collection, modeling, aggregation and statistical analysis of data relating to performance against the Strategic Plan (e.g. against the SP Integrated Results and Resources Framework and associated instruments: Theories of Change, indicators and Methodological Notes, etc.)
Contribute to data collection, modeling, aggregation and statistical analysis of data from a variety of other organizational sources (e.g. ROARs, evaluations, results to resources, surveys, assessments etc.), to learn lessons, draw conclusions and provide results for learning and for performance management, reporting and responding to findings from external surveys and assessments.
Contribute to strategic and analytical guidance to senior management on strategic decisions to improve strategic planning and programme management to achieve results, effectiveness and efficiency.
Liaise with IRRF outcome and output indicator focal points, regional bureau focal points, country offices and SCIG etc., on indicator design / disaggregation, data collection and analysis to ensure timely, efficient and consultative inputs into performance analytics, monitoring and reporting products.

Ensure organizational support on data analysis and performance monitoring

Support field offices in indicator design and reporting for programme resources and results within the Country Programme Document.
Contribute to the design and roll-out of training courses, events and materials to enhance the capacity of staff to internalize, apply and manage RBM tools (e.g. indicator development, data collection and analysis methods, monitoring etc.) to the best standards.

Other duties:

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None

Competencies

Core CoreBehaviouralCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)

Achieve Results

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with Determination

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management:

UNDP People: Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy - System 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 Management - Portfolio Management

Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity
Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment.
Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Digital - Data analysis

Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.

Digital - Data storytelling and communications

Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.

Digital - Machine learning

Skilled in computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience and by the use of data

Programme & Policy - Effectiveness

IRRF design, implementation and monitoring

Programme & Policy - Effectiveness

ROAR

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Statistics, Social Sciences, International Development, or other related development field is required. OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional work experience providing policy advice and programme support in the area of data collection, processing and reporting and statistical modeling, in the international development arena is required.
At least 3 years of professional work experience in managing an organizational accountability framework, including designing, data collection, analysis and reporting is required.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office suites, especially MS Excel, is required.
Demonstrated statistical programming proficiency in STATA is required.
Proficiency in natural language processing (NLP) algorithms is required.
Proficiency in Generative Pretrained Transformer prompt engineering and Microsoft Azure API workflow is required.
Solid experience in using data visualization tools, particularly Power BI, is required.
Programming skills in Python is required.
In-depth understanding of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and Integrated Results and Resources Framework architecture is preferred.
Familiarity with international development statistics systems and key development partners is preferred.
Proven track record of strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information to non-specialist audience is preferred.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of another UN language is preferred.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

Apply