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.

Background

UNDP provides integrated programmatic, policy and financing solutions to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, UNDP has created a Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Crisis Bureau (CB) are the two anchor Bureaux of the GPN.

In this context, the newly established Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding (GRP) Hub, a joint endeavour with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), provides leadership and advisory services to enhance UNDP’s impact on governance and peacebuilding, ensuring the integration of democratic governance and human rights into crisis response and recovery. The Hub aims to build an integrated portfolio collaboratively between the CB and BPPS and establish partnerships with various stakeholders including the UN System, IFIs, civil society, and the private sector.

Local and regional governments are already responsible of over 65% of the SDG targets, most of them linked to basic service provision from water, sanitation, mobility, climate action, health or education. Cities and territories are playing a big part on the implementation of SDGs, that are becoming a new tool for strategic planning and budgeting in the mid to long-term. Since 2015, local governments and their associations have been increasingly active in promoting the SDGs through advocacy, working with their local population and partners in transposing the spirit of Agenda 2030 in cities and territories. Local Governments have also started to use SDGs as a strategic framework to deliver better and more innovative public services linked to SDG targets and indicators.

To deliver more effectively on the above, UNDP is seeking to recruit a Programme Management Analyst, to provide technical advisory support to the SDG Local Action project, by effectively managing the project. A big percentage of the work requires guiding local and regional government implementation of innovative solutions for public service delivery including procurement management, and how this local action contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals. The Programme Management Analyst works under the guidance of the Advisor, Cities and Local Governments and in close collaboration with beneficiary cities around the world, UNDP Country Offices and a global project team based in more than 20 countries. The role includes to support local government´s procurement operations, monitoring project results and ensuring project efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinate effective project planning and implementation

Ensure compliance with UNDP policies and procedures in the management of the project’s procurement, including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management and performance measurement.
Ensuring compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational strategies, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
Ensure strategic resource management including planning of available resources, etc.
Facilitate constant monitoring and analysis of the project operating environment, quick readjustment of the operations, advice on legal considerations and risk assessment.
Support recruitment of project personnel by liaising with the Human Service Analyst and the beneficiary cities.

2. Ensure efficient project operations and monitor and report on progress

Assist the Advisor, Cities and Local Government, helping to deliver on project operations on time.
Liaise with city beneficiaries to better understand their needs and to assure that the project is contributing to local public service delivery.
Prepare and maintains the project procurement plan, including e-tendering processes and evaluation, supports local governments to manage their contracts and vendors.
Maintain all the project monitoring and implementation databases. Identifies improved project management systems and new digital tools available for project management.
Maintain all project filing system updated with the necessary information for future auditing processes, to have clarity on what operations happened during the project activities for future inspections.
Liaise with the finance team to monitor project commitment and expenditure levels against available resources and ensure that utilization of funds fully comply with UNDP financial rules and regulations.
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.
Establish partnerships and open channels of communication.
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 portfolio.
Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies.

3. Elaborate Terms of Reference and project documents and facilitate knowledge sharing

Elaborate Terms of Reference for different services, goods and equipment, consultancies, LTAs, construction works and the development of digital and mobile tools.
Work together with beneficiary cities to understand their needs and provide them with the best UNDP contracting option, including Letters of Agreement, procurement processes and responsible party agreements.
Provide guidance on substantive and technical matters related to innovative basic service provision in cities.
Facilitate knowledge building and sharing of best practices with regards to operational business processes.
Contribute to creating capacities in the beneficiary cities regarding programme management and public service delivery through PPPs.
Facilitate the development of project documents, prepares procurement plans and liaises with the Operations team to quickly respond to the needs of the project beneficiaries.
Prepare monitoring reports for the donor on programme delivery.

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

4. Institutional Arrangement

This position reports to the Advisor, Cities and Local Governments, based in New York

Competencies

Core

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 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 - Results-based Management

Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments and tools.

Business Management - Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Procurement - Procurement Management

The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.

Procurement - Strategic sourcing

Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situtions.

Procurement - Supplier/relationship management

Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or pratical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

Advanced university degree (Master´s Degree or equivalent) in Economics, Law, Public Administration, Political Science, Urban Planning, Engineering, International Development or related field is required. Or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.
CIPS level 3 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of working experience in procurement or project operations support with at least one (1) year of experience working closely with public administrations, preferably in issues related to service provision, public management and finance or public policy is required.
Experience with UNDP procurement procedures or experience in UN project management is required.
Experience preparing Terms of Reference for procurement and contracting processes is required.

Desired skills

Experience working on Agenda 2030 and other UN global agendas will be an asset.
Proven experience in working with local governments and their associations is an asset.
Proven professional experience on use of results monitoring and reporting tools will be an asset.
Experience working on innovation in the public sector will be an asset.

Language(s)

Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.
Working knowledge of Portuguese will be an asset.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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Programme Management Analyst (Home-Based) [Open to internal and external applicants]