Project Analyst

Background

UNDP's Country Office in Tajikistan, active since 1994, plays a crucial role in supporting the country’s national development strategy for poverty alleviation. The organization is guided in its work by the Country Programme Document, which in turn builds upon the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP has made a significant contribution to developing the National Development Strategy with an outline of policies and investments necessary to reach the SDGs on time by 2030. Together with the Government of Tajikistan, civil society and the people of Tajikistan, UNDP works towards identifying local solutions to global and national development challenges. Our main focus is reaching sustainable development by enhancing accountability of the current governance system, mitigating natural disaster threats, contributing to environmental sustainability and reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS on the population. 

Tajikistan acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1998, the Kyoto Protocol in 2009, and ratified the Paris Agreement in 2017. As Party to the Convention, Tajikistan has the obligation to implement decisions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) regarding the implementation of policies and measures to adapt to, and mitigate climate change, thereby contributing to the attainment of the objective of the Convention. 

In 2021, the Republic of Tajikistan submitted its updated NDC, demonstrating increased ambition in adaptation and mitigation to promote sustainable and efficient development while addressing climate change and environmental and socio-economic challenges. The NDC outlines the country’s planned efforts over a 10-year period (2020–2030) and includes projections for GHG emissions under three scenarios: (i) the baseline scenario, assuming no successful implementation of mitigation measures; (ii) the unconditional scenario, which incorporates existing mitigation measures achievable through the country’s own efforts by 2030; and (iii) the conditional scenario, dependent on adequate international financial and technical support, technology transfer, and capacity building for additional mitigation measures.

Tajikistan’s unconditional target aims to limit GHG emissions to 60–70% of 1990 levels by 2030, corresponding to 21.32–24.87 Mt CO₂-eq. The conditional target, contingent on substantial international assistance, aims to limit emissions to 50–60% of 1990 levels by 2030, equivalent to 17.76–21.32 Mt CO₂-eq. These commitments include all GHGs not governed by the Montreal Protocol and encompass the Energy, Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU), Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU), and Waste sectors.

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this, countries must regularly enhance their NDCs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions more effectively. NDC 3.0 ensures countries stay aligned with these goals through updated and strengthened commitments. Tajikistan is therefore committed to contributing to global initiatives and aims to adopt more ambitious commitments toward global climate action. Thus, UNDP will support the Government of Tajikistan in preparing its NDC 3.0, building on its assistance with the current NDC and its implementation plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist on Climate Change, Energy and Environment Cluster and overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Project Analyst will be responsible for the overall project coordination and liaison with the national partners and provide technical and programmatic support within the project framework ensuring high quality and accuracy of work towards NDC 3.0 preparation, namely to ensure awareness-raising on the climate change agenda among the stakeholders in the process of preparation of NDC 3.0; ensure access to the international expertise on the NDC 3.0 and overall climate change agenda.  The proposed Project contributes to the joint effort of the UN Family under UNFCCC’s Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE).

The Project Analyst will collaborate closely with all national and international consultants, as well as the selected NGO, state partners and the UNDP Country Office team, to ensure timely delivery of results with the highest standards in accordance with UNDP guidelines and procedures.

The duties and responsibilities of the Project Analyst will include:

• Ensure effective technical support to the project focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • General coordination and liaison of project activities with the national and international counterparts. Facilitate the assessment of the progress made toward achieving mitigation, adaptation and gender equality targets in priority sectors outlined in the NDC submitted in 2021.
  • Facilitate the assessment of the transparency system.
  • Provide technical support in identifying additional measures and opportunities to increase the ambition of NDC 3.0.
  • Facilitate and coordinate the development of the NDC 3.0 Roadmap in collaboration with key stakeholders.
  • Ensure the alignment of NDC 3.0 with the country's Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Biannual Transparency Report (BTR), National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), and other relevant policies.
  • Facilitate the conduct of technical assessments required to set ambitious targets for NDC 3.0 across all relevant sectors.
  • Oversee the overall management of the project, ensuring timely and proper execution of all activities by consultants and partners.
  • Provide support to project stakeholders in the development of the NDC 3.0.
  • Coordinate the project activities among stakeholders, including but not limited to the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Committee for Environmental Protection, etc. and NGOs.
  • To fulfill activities under the Project’s work plan which is not covered by the consultants. 
  • Facilitate the development of a concept for holding a national workshop for relevant national and regional government entities, private sector, NGOs and development partners to showcase the progress of this project.
  • To draft the project's final report using the UNDP template upon the completion of the project's activities.
  • Facilitate the preparation of necessary inputs to showcase Tajikistan's NDC 3.0 process in international/regional forums.
  • Support the timely review, validation, finalization, and submission of NDC 3.0 by the next COP30.
  • Upon request of the Programme Specialist to participate and make presentations in conferences, working meetings, round-table discussions, etc. on NDC 3.0

• Ensure effective operational and programmatic support to the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Ensure operational project coordination in accordance with the Project Initiation Plan, including:
  • Prepare Terms of Reference (ToR) for national and international consultants and subcontractors in line with and following relevant UNDP procedures. Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and ensure compliance with the agreed work plan and respective ToR securing high quality of the results;
  • Support with implementation of awareness raising campaign by working closely with the key stakeholders, ensure in time submission of work by the partner. 
  • Support in communication with various agencies involved in the project implementation on all types of activities specified in the project work plan.
  • Take notes/minutes at meetings and ensure follow up.
  • Support in planning and follow-up of project knowledge management and awareness raising activities.
  • Assume overall responsibility for timely reporting on project in accordance with the respective UNDP requirements vis-à-vis indicators in the Project Initiation Plan; 
  • Collect and analyze data from various resources. 
  • Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance projects/programs in Tajikistan. 
  • Provide assistance and support to Project Specialist in preparation of project briefs, presentations, and reports within CCEE cluster.
  • Ensure effective dissemination of, and access to information on project activities and results and supporting the project outreach and PR activities in general.
  • Monitor risks and project impact indicators as per the project framework. Timely undertakes actions to eliminate/reduce risks and issues. Regularly inform UNDP Country Office and regional Climate Promise coordinator on the risks and issues, and actions undertaken to eliminate/reduces these risks/issues.
  • Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines.

• Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s). 
  • Organize training, workshops, press conferences, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia. 
  • Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and responsible partners. 
  • Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. 
  • Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff. 

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Analyst will report to the Programme Specialist on Climate Change, Energy and Environment Cluster of the UNDP Tajikistan.

UNDP shall be entitled to intellectual property and other proprietary rights over all materials that have a direct relation to the project.

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-Function & Technical Competencies

• Knowledge Generation:                
  • Ability to research information and turn it useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need. 
  • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. 
• Communication:             
  • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Partnership 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. 
• Climate:               
  • Carbon Markets.
• Gender: 
  • Gender and Environment.
• Sustainable Energy Hub:              
  • Energy and Health. 
• Event planning and execution: 
  • Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in Environment, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Gender Studies, International Relations or any relevant related field is required. OR;
• Bachelor's degree in the fields mentioned above, with an additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in coordination and implementation of similar initiatives (e.g. renewable energy or sustainable natural resource management, climate change, NDC/ BTR) and establishment of strong relationship at national, regional and/or local levels. 

Required Skills:

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

Desired Skills:

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of UNFCCC, Paris Agreement reporting processes and UNFCCC NDC Global Stocktake or demonstrated understanding of NDCs development process.
• A well-established track record in implementation of projects similar by nature, e.g. development/revision of NDCs, NCs, BURs, BTRs, etc. 
• Demonstrated experience working with national partners, international organizations, state bodies, CSOs, NGOs, etc.
• Demonstrated experience on gender equality and social inclusion standards/approaches in climate change.
• Experience in the preparation of donors´ or other technical and financial reports.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English, Russian and Tajik 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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