Programme Analyst

Purpose:  Responsible for integrated project design, programme management and resource mobilization in the area of resilience to climate change and sustainable management of ecosystems. 

Reporting structure and partners:  Reports to Deputy Resident Representative.  Works in close collaboration with members of the Climate change and sustainable ecosystem team, other thematic units, the Communications Unit, the operations, programme and project staff in the CO and in UNDP BRH and HQ, as required to ensure successful UNDP programme design and implementation.

1. Ensures effective implementation of programme strategies through:

• Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to main UN-UNDP planning and programming documents such as the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD)
• Identification and development of areas for UNDP support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
• Thorough analysis and research contributions to development of products and policy advisory services that aim to support the government of Timor Leste in planning and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of  mitigation and adaptation measures to combat climate change and to promote sustainable management of ecosystems. Development of policy and institutional strategies for effective and efficient implementation of Sustainable Development Goals at national and sub-national level in Timor Leste, including their financing.
• Seek and apply new and innovative approaches to programme design and implementation with a view to accelerate the country’s achievement of SDGs. Keep abreast of regional and global experience in implementation of SDGs and seek ways to apply them in Timor Leste in the areas relevant to this portfolio.
• Contribute to continuous improvements in Country Office (CO) business processes, internal Standard Operating Procedures for improved results management and programme implementation.

Ensures effective programme/project design, development and programme management in the areas of resilience to climate change and sustainable management of ecosystems, and oversight of GEF and GCF projects, and other projects’ delivery through:

• Effective application of result-based management approaches and tools, establishment of programme performance targets and monitoring achievement of programme results.
• Ensure timely and quality implementation of all projects under the Climate Change and Sustainable Ecosystem Portfolio for achievement of 90% delivery of total annual budget of all projects in the portfolio.
• Review and quality assure all project Annual Work Plans (AWPs) including Human Resource (HR), Procurement plan, monitoring plan, and communications plan to ensure alignment with project documents and projects multi-year work plan.
• Design and formulation of CO programme interventions within the area of responsibility and translating UNDP priorities into local interventions.
• Coordination of programme implementation with implementing and other development partners. Management of sub-contractors and other parties responsible for delivery of specific project activities and components. This will include development and quality assurance of all ToRs for procurement of goods and services, quality evaluation reports, and review and quality assure of outputs/deliverables of service providers.
• Initiation of new projects including development of concept notes and proposals, their presentation to national stakeholders, entering projects into Atlas, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises and orderly closure of finalized projects.
• Development and implementation of programme and project monitoring plans to gauge project progress against assigned performance indicator targets. Design and implement alternative and/or corrective actions for identified programme and project performance as necessary.
• Ensure that gender issues related to the topics of the projects are identified, analysed and responded to through the projects; data collected is sex-disaggregated, and reports include gender results.
• Ensure engagement of youth and other vulnerable groups such as women and disable people as UNDP’s partner for programme/project implementation
• Conduct monitoring site visits to assess the projects results and impact as well as challenge and raise any issues/challenge identified to CO management to take corrective actions.
• Perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for purchase orders and vouchers approval and participate in recruitment processes for projects.
• Financial and substantive monitoring of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
• Manage programme and project evaluations and utilize the evaluation function to demonstrate UNDP’s contributions to the country’s development progress and results.
• Participation in audit of nationally implemented projects and follow up on audit recommendations, with timely reporting of all exceptions.
• Develop and/or review and quality assure project reports on project output and outcome results including PIRs for GEF and GCF reporting (by July annually) as well as project mid-year and annual reports as per UNDP M&E Framework. Moreover, ensure project presentation of project progress and challenges to Project Boards at least once every year.
• Ensure quality communication of programme and projects results to relevant donors, partners, and stakeholders with a view to showcase results/impact and obtaining possible partnership
• Follow-up on key policies/strategic frameworks developed by the projects particularly Climate Change Policy, Renewable Energy Policy, National Adaptation Plan, and Zero Single-use plastic policy, etc for final review and approval.

3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the CO management through:

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society organizations to pursue institutional and policy development for effective SDGs implementation.
• Jointly with the government, mobilization of partnerships and resources for effective implementation of development solutions in thematic areas assigned to his/her portfolio, and in line with country’s needs and financing partners’ 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.
• Develop and maintain good working relationship with relevant development partners and stakeholders.

4. Ensures provision of quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management through:

• 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’s issues 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/programme/projects staff on programme issues.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Environmental or Natural Sciences, Environmental Management or Policy, Social Sciences, , or related field. A Bachelors’ degree in the same fields plus 4 years of relevant experience may be considered.

Experience: 

Minimum 2 years (or 4 years with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in:

• Complex development planning and public policy formulation processes at the national or international level.
• Technical expertise on sustainable development, resilience to climate change and sustainable management of ecosystems.
• Experience in overseeing a portfolio of projects, providing quality assurance services, and results-monitoring and reporting.
• Hands-on experience in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects in the areas of resilience to climate change and sustainable management of ecosystems.   
• Experience in writing concept notes for new project ideas.
• Proven track record in policy analysis, applied research and provision of policy advisory services in the areas of development planning, institutional performance, transparency and accountability.
• Proficient usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
• Demonstrated continuous learning in at least one of substantive areas highlighted in the job description.

Project Management certification such as Prince 2 would be an asset.

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All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

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