Background

The European Union (EU) is one of UNDP's largest institutional partners. The two organizations are partnering to advance democratic governance, prevent and recover from conflict and natural disasters, build resilience, and support adaptation to climate change, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNDP's Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (RBEC) covers the Eastern Partnership countries and Central Asia, a region where the EU has significantly deepened its political and financial engagement in recent years, including through the Economic and Investment Plans for the Eastern Partnership and Central Asia. This creates growing scope and complexity for joint policy dialogue and programmatic cooperation between UNDP and the EU.

The UNDP Representation Office in Brussels leads and coordinates UNDP's institutional relationship with the EU.

Within the Office, the Director, Special Advisor EU Partnerships is responsible for positioning UNDP with EU institutions and Member States on issues relevant to RBEC, and for supporting the Regional Bureau, the Regional Hub and Country Offices in translating this partnership into effective programming.

To support the Office and RBEC in advancing UNDP's partnership with the EU, the Programme Analyst contributes towards both operational and strategic priorities. The incumbent provides direct support in the formulation, clearance and management of EU-funded contribution agreements, and broader substantive support to positioning UNDP with the EU on issues relevant to the RBEC region. The role is expected to allocate approximately equal time to these two areas of work, contributing to both the operational soundness and strategic depth of the EU-RBEC partnership.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Director, Special Advisor EU Partnerships (primary) and the technical guidance and supervision of the Contract Management Unit (CMU) Team Leader (technical secondary on contractual matters), the Programme Analyst will provide combined substantive partnership and contract management support, focused on RBEC's engagement with the EU on the Eastern Partnership countries and Central Asia.

S/he will work in close coordination with the RBEC Regional Hub, Country Offices, and UNDP's Contract Management Unit (CMU).

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.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Facilitate EU Engagement, Partnership and Outreach

Support the positioning of UNDP vis-à-vis the EU on issues relevant to the Eastern Partnership countries and Central Asia, including by drafting briefing notes, talking points, mission reports and agendas, and by supporting exchanges between UNDP and EU leadership and counterparts.
Contribute to the organization of outreach and visibility events (workshops, launches, high-level meetings) showcasing the EU-UNDP partnership in the region, in coordination with Country Offices, the Regional Hub and the Brussels Office.

2.) Engage in Strategic Analysis, Resource Mobilization and Partnership Development

Monitor and analyse development trends in the region as well as the evolution of EU priorities, policies and programming instruments relevant to the Eastern Partnership countries and Central Asia, translating findings into actionable inputs for RBEC and the Brussels Office.
Contribute to the resource mobilization efforts, including scanning EU funding opportunities and calls for proposals, and contributing to the drafting of concept notes and proposals.
Maintain and manage the partnership with DG ECHO and the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), given the time-critical and sensitive nature of these humanitarian and crisis-response programmes.

3.) Provide EU Contribution Agreement Management and Programme Support

Contribute to the formulation and review of EU-funded programme/project proposals and contribution agreements for RBEC, and support Country Offices in assessing reports and facilitating their submission in line with the applicable EU-UNDP contractual framework.
Support the clearance, monitoring and administration of RBEC's EU contribution agreements, including tracking contractual milestones, reporting deadlines and verification requirements, in coordination with the Contract Management Unit.

4.) Facilitate Knowledge Management and Coordination

Facilitate knowledge management and coordination between Country Offices, the Regional Hub and the Brussels Office on EU contractual, programmatic and partnership matters.

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 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 a 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 the 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 — 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 — Communications: 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
Business Management — Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmarks, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of clients, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate clients' upcoming needs and concerns.
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.
Partnership Management — Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
Partnership Management — EU Partnerships: Knowledge and understanding of EU strategies, approaches, processes and systems
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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, European Studies, Economics, Law, or other related field is required.

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:

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 programme/project support, partnerships, contract or grant management, or advisory services at the national and/or international level.
Experience and knowledge, and ability to engage donors, including the European Union, in support of programme priorities is required.
Expertise in the European Union's policies, institutions, priorities, programme cycle and external funding instruments (development and humanitarian assistance) and proven ability to apply this knowledge to strengthen the EU-UNDP partnership is required.
Experience with the EU-UNDP partnership and its contractual and reporting framework is desired
Experience in supporting programme/project proposal development review is desired.
Experience in organizing meetings, missions and events, and in preparing briefing notes, presentations and other communication materials is desired.
Experience and knowledge of the RBEC region, including the Eastern Partnership countries and Central Asia, and of UNDP's programming in the region is an asset.
Experience and knowledge of political, economic and development trends in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia is an asset.
Experience and good understanding of UNDP programming and project management arrangements is desired.

Language:

Fluency in English is required.
Working Knowledge of another UN language is 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.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed-term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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

Scam alert

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Programme Analyst -P1- [Open to internal and external applicants]