Project Analyst

Job Title: Project Analyst (NPSA8)

Organization: UNDP

Job Identification: 13255

Location: Windhoek, Namibia

Apply Before: 09/08/2023, 06:59 AM

Job Schedule: Full time

Grade: NPSA-8

Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area: Governance

Bureau: Regional Bureau for Africa

Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience: Master's Degree - 2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - 4 year(s) experience

Required Languages: English

Desired Languages: Working knowledge of the local language

Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks

Job Description

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

UNDP is the UN’s global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. In Namibia, we support the Government of Namibia (GRN) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in identifying key challenges in meeting its Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by improving capacities at the national, regional, and local levels. 

The UNDP Strategy on Governance, Responsive, Institutions, and Civic Engagement (GRICE) presents the organization’s offer of seamless and integrated services to support programme countries as they formulate and implement national plans for effective governance to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth and full and productive employment, particularly focusing on the sectors of society left behind. Three broad priorities have been identified as critical for enabling countries to achieve this goal: namely - Integrated policy and planning for sustainable and inclusive growth; supporting employment and wealth creation, decent work and redistributive programmes to address poverty, inequality, and exclusion; and mobilizing and scaling up financing for enabling the transition to sustainable and inclusive growth. 

In each of these three areas and based on UNDP’s own mandate and areas of comparative advantage, specific policy and programmatic options have been identified. In line with its Country Programme Document, UNDP Namibia recently developed its: Governance, Responsive, Institutions, Civic Engagement (GRICE) portfolio. The GRICE Portfolio seeks to enhance public institutions’ oversight function and support Government’s effort to deliver efficient quality services to its citizens.  The portfolio will focus on, inter alia, increased citizens’ voice and agency for enhanced public accountability and promoting transparency; knowledge-based research & innovation for evidence-driven and responsive frameworks for accelerated achievement of the SDGs. The underlying principle of the portfolio is to leave no one behind through inclusive and representative approaches toward gender mainstreaming and disability inclusion.

UNDP’s “Inclusive Governance Initiative” (IGI) is designed to support countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to become increasingly accountable to, and inclusive of, their entire populations, including LGBTI people. This in turn will contribute to better laws, more responsive public sector services, and social norms that affirm LGBTI rights. Namibia is one of the IGI priority countries within the regional initiative and the UNDP Namibia country office (CO) is seeking a Project Assistant to support the implementation of the programme in Namibia. The Project Assistant will be part of the Programme Management Unit in the portfolio responding to Governance, Responsive Institutions and Civic Engagement (GRICE). Under the overall guidance of the Portfolio Head, the Project Assistant will ensure the effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations, focusing on the various corporate tools.

Scope of work

The Project Analyst will primarily support the implementation and management of the Inclusive Governance Initiative, as well as provide support to other related interventions in the GRICE portfolio specific to HIV and SRHR programming, to ensure an integrated response to effective governance within the Programme Unit. The Project Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations, programme, and projects staff in the CO, UNDP Regional HIV, Health and Development Team (HHD), and HQs as required for resolving complex project management and finance-related issues as well as the exchange of information.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Support the formulation of programme strategies, responses, and implementation of the Inclusive Governance Initiative, CPD, and integration toward the UNPAF Good Governance Pillar Joint work plan;
• Support the linkages of the Inclusive Governance Initiative with other workstreams under the GRICE portfolio;
• Support to the management of the CO programme (focusing on documentation, data entry, dashboard management, and updates in the online systems) with respect to the Inclusive Governance Initiative;
• Administrative support to the Programme Unit (organizes meetings, workshops, handles correspondence and incoming mail) on the Inclusive Governance Initiative and related activities;
• Support to resource mobilization (direct work with the project manager(s), analysts & specialists to create concepts, generate reports and update data);
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing (participate in learning and South-South exchanges as applicable);
• Coordinate and manage partnerships with respective CSOs to ensure the attainment of SDG 17 indicators.  

1. Supports formulation of programme strategies, initiatives, and implementation of the Country Programme Document and implements Annual Work Plan focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Collection, analysis, and presentation of background information for preparation of Country Programme Document (CPD), Project document(s), Annual Work Plans, and other UNDP and donor-specific needs, effective application of Results Based Management tools and establishment of management targets (BSC, now termed CPI, STREAMS);
• Presentation of background information for the formulation of country programmes, draft project concepts and documents, work plans, budgets, and proposals on implementation arrangements.

2. Provides effective support to the management of the Inclusive Governance Initiative focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Creation of projects in Atlas, preparation of required budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, and management of project resources in accordance with UNDP financial rules and regulations;
• Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects;
• Management and monitoring of Atlas and UNDP Corporate Planning System;
• Presentation of information for audit of NEX advances, supports the implementation of audit recommendations;
• Regular review of the CO dashboards and providing support to maintain acceptable performance indicators;
• Monitor and share information about LGBTI-related issues and activities in Namibia, including actions and statements by parliamentarians, civil servants, the judiciary, important influencers, and civil society;
• Support convening of implementing partners and coordination of their activities;
• Support preparation of policy briefs, speaking notes, PowerPoint presentations, and similar tools;
• Support the development and implementation of IGI-related communications activities, in social and traditional media;
• Provision of operational and financial closure of the project.

3. Provides administrative support to the Inclusive Governance Initiative focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Review of Project Financial/Narrative Reports; preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects, raising of payment requisitions in line with UNDP Rules and Regulations;
• Maintenance of the internal expenditure control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
• Management of output verification related to the results of the project;
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, and unapproved vouchers;
• Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas;
• Making budget checks for requisitions, POs, and vouchers.

4. Supports resource mobilization focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Analysis of information on donors, preparation of donors’ profiles, and mapping of donors for resource mobilization related to LGBTIQ+ work in Namibia, and in line with the country office resource mobilization strategy;
• Tracking and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreements, managing contributions in Atlas.

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Organization of training for the operations/projects staff on the Inclusive Governance Initiative;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme management and implementation;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Institutional Arrangements

The Project Analyst works under the overall supervision of the Portfolio Head.  The Project Analyst will also work in close collaboration with the operations, programme, and projects staff in the CO, UNDP Regional HIV, Health and Development Team (HHD), and HQ.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Result: 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

Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights

• Human Rights Mainstreaming;
• Impact assessment services to countries on stigma, discrimination, gender and human rights concerns / inclusive and rights-based approach to basic services and livelihoods;
• Human Rights Institutions/compliance.

Governance

• LGBTIQ rights.

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
• 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.

Requirements:

Minimum education requirements:

• Master with 2 years or bachelor’s degree with 4 years. A university-level degree or qualification in Law and human rights is desirable.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

• A minimum of 2 years with MA or 4 years of progressively responsible administrative and/or programme experience is required at the national level;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc). Demonstrated experience and commitment to engaging representative platforms such as human rights organizations including those that represent LGBTI people in Namibia; 
• Additional experience in closely related fields such as gender equality or human rights advocacy would be an advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision, and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills; 
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning, and implementation of programme, managing data, and reporting;
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, and implementation of new systems, including new IT-based systems;
• Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit;
• Leadership and Self-Management;
• Focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control, and good-humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Teamwork;
• Innovation;
• Networking.

Language

• Proficiency in English is a requirement;
• Working knowledge of the local language is desirable.

Professional Certificates

• Project Management

Disclaimer

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.

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.

Required Skills

Innovation

Networking

Teamwork

Apply Now