Project Description

Nigeria, with its vibrant and diverse population, stands at a pivotal juncture in its developmental journey. With approximately 60% of its population under the age of 25, Nigeria is home to a significant youth demographic, poised to drive the nation's future. This demographic dividend presents both challenges and opportunities. By 2050, it's projected that Nigeria will be one of the most populous countries in the world, emphasizing the urgency to harness this youthful energy productively. Despite the innovative spirit of Nigerian entrepreneurs, the pathway to economic opportunities remains fraught with obstacles. Between 2010 and 2018, a staggering 50% of Nigerian start-ups ceased operations, underscoring the pressing need for robust support systems.

Recognizing this gap, the UNDP and the Mastercard Foundation have collaboratively launched the Lean Innovation Facility through the Young Africa Innovates Programme. Spanning 2.5 years and focusing on Nigeria and Ghana, this initiative is a beacon of hope, aiming to catalyze youth-led solutions that drive employment. The program's ethos is rooted in inclusivity, ensuring that innovators from all walks of life, especially those from traditionally marginalized backgrounds, are empowered to bring their visions to life.

The Project Analyst is that pivotal force, responsible for steering the program towards its objectives, ensuring timely execution, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders. In a program that spans multiple regions, targets diverse communities, and involves numerous partners, the Project Analyst's role is to ensure that the program remains on course, adapting to challenges, and capitalizing on opportunities. This role is not just about management; it's about leadership, vision, and the relentless pursuit of impact. 

The Project Analyst will be the linchpin, ensuring that the program's vision is translated into tangible results, making a lasting difference in the lives of countless young innovators. The primary coordination hub for this initiative is the UNDP Lagos Center. 

However, it's crucial to note that the scope of the work extends far beyond Lagos, spanning across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. This expansive reach necessitates regular travel to ensure effective project implementation and stakeholder engagement in various regions.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Lead the development and execution of the project plan, ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives;
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution;
• Provide regular reports detailing project status, challenges faced, and recommendations;
• Oversee the project budget, ensuring optimal allocation and utilization of resources;
• Analyze project data to identify trends, potential challenges, and areas of opportunity;
• Offer recommendations for project adjustments based on performance insights;
• Ensure compliance with UNDP guidelines and procedures during all project activities;
• Work closely with team members to align project activities with project milestones;
• Organize engagement events, workshops, and meetings to foster positive relationships with stakeholders;
• Train and mentor project team members, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively;
• Monthly Progress Reports, detailed reports highlighting the project's progress, challenges faced, and mitigation strategies implemented.

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

Reporting:

The position will be managed by the Head of the UNDP Innovation Center based in Lagos.

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 

Business Management: Results-based Management                   

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Business Management: Project Management    

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

Business Management: Partnerships Management       

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

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 Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making        

• Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources.

Business Direction & Strategy: 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 leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways look forward for UNDP.

Partnership Management: Relationship Management                 

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.

Minimum Qualifications

Min. Academic Education   

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Project Management or related field is required, or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience  

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in in project management roles.

Required skills and competencies              

• Experience managing large-scale projects.
• Proven track record of leading projects to successful completion.           

Desired skills

• Experience in a developing country context is desired.
• Familiarity with UNDP guidelines and procedures is a plus.

Required Language

Fluency in English (written and spoken) required.

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.