Programme Analyst

This position is open to Afghanistan Nationals Only 

BACKGROUND

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. 

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure.  Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others. 

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country. 

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

Position Purpose:

In this context, the Programme Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Area Manager. S/he works in close collaboration with the PMU (Program Management Unit) team, Project teams, other CO teams, technical advisors and experts, and coordinates with other UN agencies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders in the region to help implement the regional programme. S/he also provides quality technical support to implementing partners. The Programme Analyst will be based in Kunduz with regular field visits in the region, as needed. The Programme Analyst in UNDP Kunduz Office will oversee programming in the Northeast Region of Afghanistan (Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar and Badakhshan provinces).

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 Accountabilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Supporting the development of regional programme activities from design through implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Establishing, and maintaining strategic partnerships and supporting resource mobilization.
• Ensuring provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

1) Support the development of regional programme activities from design through implementation, monitoring and evaluation focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Conduct a thorough analysis and research of the political, social, and economic situation in the country and collaborate with the PMU team in the preparation/revision of project documents, AWPs (Annual Work Plans) and other documents as necessary 
• Identify opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies.
• Ensure coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders, and programme partners. 
• Collaborate with the Country Office to align regional programme with UNDP global and regional initiatives, policies and knowledge products.
• Provide leadership with technical guidance in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that results are delivered in accordance with the work plans, standards, allocations, framework and rules and regulations.
• Support effective application of RBM (Result-Based Management) tools, the establishment of management targets, and monitoring achievement of results.
• Monitor work plan implementation, ensure it is on track, and support resolution of bottlenecks working with PMU and CO.
• Take a lead role in planning and carrying out programme monitoring and preparing periodic and ad hoc reports, including the annual report, donor reports, ROAR (Result-Oriented Annual Report) and IWP (Integrated Work Plan), as required.
• Ensure programme reviews and evaluations take place, manage the reviews and evaluation process and take a lead in preparing management response.
• Support in identifying and managing risks, and ensuring application of safeguarding principles, such as Do No harm principles and UNDP’s Social & Environmental Standards. 
• Support audit exercises and coordinate with the team to provide timely responses.
• Analyze, research, and provide inputs for preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, and identify opportunities to initiate new projects.
• Ensure capacity building of implementing partners, and organize relevant trainings and orientations.
• Work in coordination with Gender Specialist to conduct analysis and research o the gender dimension of regional programme and collaborate in the preparation/revision of programme documents, AWP and other documents.
• Ensure coordination and networking with UN agencies, clients, stakeholders, and programme partners.

2) Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and supports resource mobilization focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Analyze, research, and provide inputs for preparation of substantive briefs on new programmatic initiatives, and identify opportunities to initiate new projects, including joint projects.
• Support in developing ideas and concepts for new programmatic initiatives, for resource mobilization purposes. 
• Support the CO in resource mobilization efforts for the regional programme portfolio.
• Act as a focal point from PMU to develop a coordination mechanism that allows sharing of information and harmonizes the work carried out by different partners.
• Conduct research and analysis of information on existing and new partners.
• Contribute to the implementation of CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategies. 
• Develop ideas and concepts for possible areas of cooperation, and identification of funding opportunities for ongoing and new programme and projects.
• Support working relationships and creates programmatic linkages with relevant UN Agencies and counterparts, as guided by the supervisor.
• Represent UNDP at external meetings within his/her area of programming, when required.

3) Supports the provision of high-quality technical support and facilitation of knowledge building and management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned emerging from programme implementation in the region. 
• Coordinate and ensure best practices and lessons learned are taken into consideration while developing work plans, new projects and programme strategies.
• Ensure that lessons learned from the regional programme are captured and recorded into the CO knowledge pool.
• Contribute to enhancing collaboration, communication and knowledge sharing with Project Offices in the other regions.

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

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-Functional & Technical competencies:

• Partnership management-Resource mobilization- Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.
• Partnership management-Emerging Partnerships-Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships.
• 2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness-Effectiveness-Programming principles & standards and development effectiveness principles.
• Business Management-Monitoring-Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
• Business Management-Evaluation-Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks - Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Business Management  Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
• 2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness-Effectiveness-Project Quality Assurance

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Economics, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Law, Public Administration or Peacebuilding 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, Knowledge, and Skills:

• 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, specifically in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of development portfolios and projects within international development organizations, bilateral development agencies, and/or international NGOs.
• Knowledge of Results-Based Management methodologies is required.
• Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
• Proven hands-on programme management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, closure) is required.
• Proven programme management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation) is desired.
• Experience fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations would be an asset. 
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems. 
• Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the Region is a requirement.
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in Pashto/Dari is required.