Programme Analyst (Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development)

It is widely acknowledged that Thailand, with a population of 64.7 million, has joined that ranks of middle-income countries due to the country’s progress in social and economic development, high rates of economic growth, and a falling poverty level since the late 1980s.

As a direct consequence of this economic success, Thailand has now reached at a critical juncture at which it needs to ensure that this continuous growth is both inclusive and sustainable. While climate change mitigation is a challenge, adaptation to the climate impacts is survival. This is especially pertinent to the poor and the marginalized parts of society who are dependable on natural resources. The cumulative effects of climate change could elevate the risk of natural and human caused disasters, and threaten both economic development and community livelihoods. These risks could compromise Thailand’s efforts to achieve its long-term environmental and livelihoods security objectives, and the country’s long-term competitiveness and geopolitical positioning within the ASEAN Economic Community.

The 12^th Thai National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017-2021) sets a vision in achieving green growth, bringing the balance of development in economic, social, and environmental aspects, as well as to ensure sustainability of development, focusing on income generation, social cohesion, and healthy ecosystems.   The policy infrastructure has been put in place to move towards that direction, however, translating a national vision into real and responsive actions on the ground will require a transformational thinking, way of doing business, policy coherence and coordination, meaningful participation of the civil society, engagement with the private sector, as well as tremendous investment on capacity building and institutional strengthening efforts. 

In this context, and in line with United Nations Partnership Framework (2017-2021) for Thailand as well as UNDP’s global agenda on inclusive sustainable growth as defined in the organization’s Strategic Plan (2014-1017), the UNDP Thailand Country Office (CO) plays a strategic role in supporting the Government of Thailand to increase its effectiveness in achieving the sustainable development goals.  In doing so, UNDP supports a) strengthening policy coherence and coordination, b) translating policy to practices, at the national sub-national levels, and, c) building institutional readiness and capacity with a focus on climate change mitigation, adaptation, environmental security and sustainable livelihoods; d) exploring creative and innovative ways and means to leverage sustainable development impacts. 

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Team Leader, Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development, the Programme Analyst is responsible for management of UNDP programmes and projects within the area of Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, provides policy advice services.

The Programme Analyst leads programme support staff, coordinates activities of the projects’ staff, and provides quality assurance of the project implementation. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with 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 implementation.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Implementation of programme strategies on Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development (IGSD)
2. Management of the CO programme
3. Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy 
4. Provision of top quality and innovative policy advice services to the Government and  facilitation of knowledge building and management

Ensures implementation of  programme strategies on Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents;
• Identification of areas for support and interventions in areas such as climate change mitigation, adaptation, environmental security and sustainable livelihoods;
• CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.

Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality assurance from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) 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;
• Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into Atlas (in small offices), finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Analyst can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects;
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NEX projects;
• Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported;
• Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team,  focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of innovative partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’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.

Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management in the area of Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the success of the Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development Programme within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

Functional Competencies:               

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic and innovative alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Resource Mobilization

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors, as well as cost-sharing partners;
• Develops a database of project profiles;
• Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Demonstrates self-driven learning, interests and enthusiasm to learn new ideas, different approaches;
• Generates knowledge products and knowledge sharing networks;
• Demonstrate willingness to learn from and to coach other team members.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles on issues of inclusive green growth as well as other environmental and social issues including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods;  
• Possesses knowledge and applied experiences on developing conservation, sustainable utilization and livelihoods initiatives under the overall framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF);
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project cycle management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
• Possesses very good communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality practical, comprehensible presentations, reports and knowledge products.

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity; 
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflicts;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, Humanities, and/or related fields.

Experience:

• 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level working experience and progressing responsibility on climate change issues in developing countries, including adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity conservation, institutional capacity development;
• Proven experiences of developing and implementing GEF projects and the management of GEF-supported projects and/ or project with similar nature at national level;
• Proven track records in partnership building and resource mobilization would be an advantage;
• Hands-on experiences in design, managing, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Knowledge of UNDP and the UN System and exposure to COs; specifically in the Asia and the Pacific region;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of writing and speaking English and Thai.  Knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.

Important applicant information

All posts in the NO/GS/SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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