Programme Analyst on Inclusive Growth / Head of Cluster

Tashkent

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Tashkent
Grade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- Poverty Reduction
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
- Disability Rights
- Sustainable Growth and Growth hacking
Closing Date: Closed

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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 Uzbekistan has been operating in the country since 1993 and has cooperated with the Government on finding solutions to national development challenges. UNDP assistance in Uzbekistan focuses on two overall, inter-linked objectives; to support the Government in advancing economic and democratic reforms; and strengthening and fostering the participation of civil society in development processes at national and local levels. UNDP works in three thematic areas – inclusive and sustainable growth, inclusive and democratic governance, climate change and environment.

Uzbekistan’s long-term objective is to become a high middle-income country by 2030, therein doubling per capita income, as well as reducing poverty. With the poverty rate rising to 12-15% in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty reduction and enhanced well-being have been identified by the President as one of the key priorities for the country for the first time. To identify the key issues and bottlenecks and elaborate comprehensive measures to fight poverty, the Government, with support from UNDP and WB, has elaborated the National Poverty Reduction Strategy 2021-2030 (currently under review of the Presidential Administration). The Government is increasingly seeing job creation as the main tool to poverty eradication, as a result it has unrolled a number of entrepreneurship development programmes, increased the scope of labour market policies and strengthened the skills development programmes for unemployed, targeting youth, women, PwD and migrants. There is an ongoing effort to improve the business climate with many regulations being simplified and barriers removed. Skills development programmes are realized through the formal education system and skills development centres under the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations.

Public finance reform is high in the Government agenda with the public spending efficiency, public investment management, consolidation of off-budget spending, debt sustainability, medium-term and programme-based budgeting, open and participatory budgeting being paid the major attention. To scale up availability of private financing the Government is reforming the capital market, creating opportunities for the foreign investors, liberalizing and decreasing the dominance of the SOE in the banking sector.  

Within its Country Programme Document for 2026-2030, UNDP will support inclusiveness of economic growth focusing on poverty and inequality reduction through job creation, trade facilitation, green and digital economy and skills development. UNDP will contribute to strategic, SDG-aligned, transparent and people-centered financing. UNDP will support development of the SDG Financing Strategy, that will focus on increasing efficiency of existing financing resources (PFM reforms, etc) and help mobilize new financing solutions (innovative and blended finance, green/gender bonds, nature performance bonds for afforestation programmes, risk insurance, sukuk) emphasizing green and gender-equal development.

In light of this, under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Programme Analyst on Inclusive Growth coordinates and oversees a multi-disciplinary programme portfolio on Inclusive Growth and Financing for Development. The portfolio comprises the specialized, sectoral areas of inclusive growth, entrepreneurship and employment promotion with skills for the future, trade and economic development, as well innovative financing for sustainable development.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, Programme Analyst on Inclusive Growth / Head of Cluster leads programme support staff and coordinates the effective implementation of UNDP’s interventions in the above-indicated areas. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme design and implementation.

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Substantively contribute to formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies.

Contribute to analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; and contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP)and other strategic documents.
Thorough analysis and research of social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to Common Country Assessment, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, UNDP Country Programme Document and other documents.
Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
Initiate and develop programmes/projects in support of national inclusive growth and development finance initiatives.

Provision of high-quality policy support: Serves as substantive source of policy advice to senior management on Inclusive Growth, under the guidance of the supervisor, as follows:

Generates policy papers and advice that address national priorities and needs for internal clearance in thematic/sectoral programme areas managed.
Conducts and/or coordinates policy research and analytics for evidence-based, national/country-focused policymaking.
Identifies sources of information related to policy-driven issues.
Undertakes and maintains analytics to support UNDP strategic analyses.
Provides UNDP’s position proposals and commentary.

Ensures effective implementation and management of the CO programme in Inclusive Growth, focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

Ensuring Quality Assurance and effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
Development of project/programme pipeline proposals, including identification of new service lines and entry points for programming, responding to emerging trends and challenges.
Ensure continual alignment of programme actions with the SDGs.
Initiation of projects, presentation of the project to PAC; determination of required revisions; in coordination with operations, coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review.
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, recommending timely readjustments of the programme.
Training and capacity-building or relevant programme and project personnel.
Implements cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with Operations teams.
Follow up on audit recommendation with timely reporting of all exceptions.
Donor and Aggregate reports regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes.

Ensures building strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

Implementation of partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes, including:
Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFl’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, identification and mobilization of resources based on Programme strategic goals, country needs and partner priorities.

Facilitate Knowledge Building and Knowledge Management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme/projects and country policy goals in Inclusive Economic Development and Entrepreneurship; Trade and employment promotion; Innovative Financing for Sustainable Development; Policy research for Sustainable Development.
Successful programme advocacy through networking, including:
Participation in advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks.
Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns implemented with key partners.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Learning initiatives delivered for Operations/ projects staff in the programme area.

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: Supervises Programme Analyst and Programme Associate

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

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 - 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 Direction & Strategy - Effective Decision Making
- Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
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
Business Management - Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
2030 Agenda: Prosperity nclusive Growth Development Planning
- 2030 Agenda: People Gender
- Communication and Advocacy for Gender Equality

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field is required. OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 2 years of experience (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) at national or international level with demonstrable results in developing and implementing project/programme concepts in partnership with Government and Civil society preferably in the area of Inclusive Growth, Economic Development, Employment promotion and Private Sector Development, and Development Financing.
Familiarity with complex reporting and institutional accountability processes is also required.
Experience in partnership development will be an advantage.
Demonstrated experience in building alliances and manage relationships is desired.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
Experience in programme/Project management, quality assurance is desired
Experience in resource mobilization is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. Knowledge of d Russian is desirable.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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This vacancy is now closed.