Background

UNDP supports the Government of the Republic of Moldova in strengthening institutional resilience, advancing digital transformation, and embedding data-driven and anticipatory decision-making across governance systems. The organization works closely with national counterparts to design, implement, and monitor reforms that support sustainable growth, improve service delivery, and align Moldova’s development trajectory with European standards and the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this context, UNDP implements a range of projects that support public institutions in advancing sectoral reforms, strengthening institutional performance, and improving planning, implementation, and monitoring capacities. While these projects are not primarily data-focused, they increasingly rely on the effective use of administrative and statistical data to support evidence-informed decision-making, track progress, and ensure accountability in the delivery of reforms and public services.

To complement these efforts, UNDP supports public institutions in strengthening their internal analytical capacity, including through the provision of applied analytical support embedded within institutional workflows. This approach helps ensure that data and analytical tools are used routinely and practically in support of policy implementation, operational management, and reporting, without creating additional reporting burdens or parallel systems.

At the government-wide level, UNDP supports the Data Intelligence Unit (DIU), which acts as a shared analytical and data service embedded within central government structures. The DIU strengthens the capacity of public institutions to use existing administrative and statistical data more effectively by transforming fragmented datasets into practical analytical tools, dashboards, and evidence products that support decision-making, reform monitoring, and institutional performance management. The DIU focuses on unlocking the value of data that institutions already collect and on promoting consistent analytical standards, methodologies, and good practices across government.

To ensure sustainability and effective institutional uptake, the DIU operates a deployment model, under which analysts are assigned directly to partner public institutions to provide hands-on analytical support, ensure data quality and continuity, and facilitate the routine use of analytical tools in day-to-day work. These deployments are coordinated by the DIU to ensure methodological coherence and alignment with national priorities, while remaining closely integrated with the objectives and activities of the host projects.

Advisory Services for Programme Development

To complement its programmatic work across thematic areas, UNDP Moldova has established an Advisory Services Project as a flexible tool to provide targeted technical assistance in response to emerging national priorities and evolving development challenges. Implemented through the Engagement Facility modality, this structure allows UNDP to remain agile and responsive, offering support where and when it is most needed.

The Advisory Services Project is closely aligned with the 2023–2027 Country Programme Document and is managed by the Strategic Support Unit in coordination with thematic clusters and under the oversight of senior management. It supports a broad range of activities, from project formulation and policy advice to analytical work, strategic events, and access to specialized expertise. The aim is to ensure that government counterparts and national partners benefit from timely, high-quality support that informs decision-making and enhances development impact.

Activities under the Facility are planned through annual work plans, which are regularly updated to reflect the changing context and institutional needs. Financial and operational management is ensured by the Country Office’s operations and programme teams working closely together.

By combining flexibility with strategic focus, the Advisory Services Project reinforces UNDP Moldova’s commitment to delivering relevant, evidence-based, and results-oriented support for the country’s sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP Moldova seeks to contract a Data Analyst (hereinafter “the Analyst”) to support the Bureau for European Integration (BIE) within the State Chancellery in strengthening the use of data and analytical tools for planning, monitoring, and reporting processes related to the EU accession agenda. The assignment focuses on providing applied analytical support to institutional workflows related to the coordination, monitoring, and reporting of commitments under the National Programme for Accession (NPA).

The Analyst will work in close collaboration with designated counterparts within the Bureau for European Integration and relevant interinstitutional stakeholders involved in the EU accession process. While embedded within the Bureau for European Integration for day-to-day work, the Analyst will receive technical and methodological guidance from the Data Intelligence Unit (DIU) and the UNDP Policy Specialist, ensuring alignment with UNDP analytical standards, methodologies, and institutional practices.

The Analyst will serve as an embedded analytical resource within the Bureau for European Integration, contributing to strengthened institutional capacity for evidence-informed coordination, improved monitoring of the implementation of accession-related commitments, and more consistent use of administrative and operational data across institutions involved in the accession process.

Through this role, the Analyst will support more transparent, efficient, and informed coordination of the EU accession process by enabling the Bureau to consolidate data from multiple institutions, monitor implementation progress across chapters, and identify implementation bottlenecks or data gaps using analytical tools. The position focuses on applied analysis, continuity, and institutional uptake, rather than analytical design or policy leadership.

The Analyst’s key responsibilities will include:

Support institutional planning, monitoring, and analytical processes

• Support evidence-based planning, monitoring, and reporting processes within the beneficiary institution, in close coordination with the UNDP project team.
• Contribute analytical inputs to internal planning documents, progress updates, briefings, and reporting products prepared by the beneficiary institution and the UNDP project team.
• Prepare analytical summaries, tables, dashboards, and visual materials to support internal decision-making and management processes at institutional and project levels.
• Respond to ad hoc analytical requests from institutional counterparts and the UNDP project team related to implementation progress, performance tracking, and operational issues.

Support data collection, management, and quality assurance

• Support the mapping, consolidation, and routine updating of key administrative and sectoral data sources within the beneficiary Ministry or institution and its subordinate entities, in coordination with the UNDP project team.
• Assist in assessing data quality, completeness, consistency, and update cycles of administrative and operational datasets.
• Perform basic data validation, cleaning, and harmonization in line with agreed definitions and standards.
• Maintain basic documentation of data sources, assumptions, and update processes to support institutional continuity and project reporting needs.
• Identify data gaps or inconsistencies and communicate them to institutional counterparts, the UNDP project team, and the Data Intelligence Unit, as appropriate.

Support data visualization and reporting tools

• Prepare clear and user-friendly visualizations (dashboards, charts, maps) tailored to the needs of institutional management, technical staff, and the UNDP project team.
• Support the maintenance and regular updating of dashboards and analytical tools used by the beneficiary institution and the project.
• Assist institutional staff and project team members in interpreting and using analytical outputs in day-to-day work and ensure that visual outputs are consistent, interpretable, and aligned with institutional and project needs.

Support coordination, capacity building, and knowledge management

• Act as a focal point for analytical coordination between the beneficiary institution, the UNDP counterparts, and the Data Intelligence Unit.
• Maintain regular communication with the Data Intelligence Unit and the UNDP Policy Specialist, providing updates on analytical work, data availability, and emerging institutional or project-related needs.
• Escalate methodological or technical issues requiring advanced analytical support to the Data Intelligence Unit.
• Support basic data literacy and knowledge-sharing activities, including on-the-job guidance, short briefings, or training sessions for institutional staff and, where relevant, project stakeholders.
• Promote good practices related to data handling, confidentiality, and ethical data use.

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

Institutional Arrangements

The Data Analyst will be engaged under a short-term contract with UNDP and will report administratively to the UNDP Moldova Policy Specialist, who will provide overall coordination of the assignment and ensure alignment with agreed objectives, work plans, and deliverables.

The Analyst will work in close collaboration with the Bureau for European Integration and other designated institutional counterparts, providing day‑to‑day applied analytical support for institutional planning, monitoring, and reporting processes. 

From a technical and methodological perspective, the Analyst will work in close coordination with the Data Intelligence Unit, who will provide technical guidance, ensure methodological coherence, and support alignment with UNDP analytical standards and approaches. 

The Analyst will maintain regular communication and provide updates to support coherence, information sharing, and timely identification of emerging analytical needs.

The incumbent is expected to comply fully with UNDP’s administrative rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and to maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and quality throughout the assignment.

Competencies

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 and Technical Competencies

Business Direction & Strategy - Systems 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 Development - Knowledge Facilitation:    

• Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information, and ideas. 
• Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange

Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data:    

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

Data - Data Analysis:    

• Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making

Digital - Digital business analysis:    

• Ability to support digital business processes across a range of digital projects, programmes and activities.

Digital - Data Governance:    

• Knowledge to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases, and operate visualization technologies—key for consolidation, documentation, and continuity.

Digital - Visualisation & mapping:    

• Ability to create clear visuals, maps, and dashboards that translate data into actionable insights for institutional decision‑making.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum education requirements:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Information Systems, or another field relevant to data analysis, public sector analytics, and institutional development is required; OR 
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

• 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 are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in assignments related to data analysis, data management, monitoring and reporting, analytical support, or project implementation, at the national or international level.

Desired skills:

• Experience working with or supporting public institutions, government programmes, or development projects.
• Familiarity with data governance principles, data standards, or interoperability considerations in the public sector.
• Experience supporting monitoring frameworks, dashboards, or reporting systems in an institutional setting.
• Previous experience with UN agencies, international organizations, or development partners will be considered an advantage.
• Experience in capacity development, data literacy support, or knowledge-sharing activities is an asset.
• Practical experience in applied data analysis and data visualization, including preparation of tables, dashboards, charts, and analytical summaries.
• Experience working with administrative or operational datasets, including data collection, cleaning, validation, and basic analysis.
• Ability to support evidence-based planning, monitoring, and reporting processes in an institutional or project context.
• Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills, with the ability to present data and findings clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency in the use of standard office software and digital tools, including spreadsheets, databases, and data visualization platforms (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio, Metabase, or similar).

Required language(s):

• Fluency in Romanian and English is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Professional certificates:

• Additional training or certification in data analysis, data visualization, monitoring and evaluation, project management, public administration, or digital governance will be considered an advantage.

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.

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