Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
UNDP has been a long-term development partner of Mongolia for over 30 years, supporting the country’s aspirations for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development. In its Upper Middle-Income Country context, UNDP Mongolia provides technical assistance, policy and advisory services to the Government of Mongolia in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The current Country Programme Document (2023–2027) is aligned with the national Vision-2050 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). It aims to catalyze transformative change by empowering people to make sustainable and equitable decisions, especially for marginalized and vulnerable communities. The programme is built around three interlinked pillars: (i) diversified, inclusive and green economic transition; (ii) risk-informed climate adaptation and sustainable management of natural ecosystems; and (iii) women’s empowerment, inclusive and accountable governance, and progress towards SDGs attainment.
To deliver the programme and ensure sustainability of results, UNDP partners with government entities, civil society, development actors and the private sector.
Within the Country Office (CO) in Mongolia, the Programme team plays a central role in designing and implementing programmes that support the country's sustainable development priorities and deliver on UNDP’s strategic objectives as set out in the CPD. The team is structured around the key thematic priorities of the Country Programme Document.
Programme staff are responsible for the full programme cycle—from design and resource mobilization to implementation oversight and results reporting. The team provides high-level advisory support, develops and oversees quality assurance mechanisms, and ensures alignment of programming with national priorities and UNDP corporate policies and standards. In close collaboration with government counterparts, development partners, civil society organizations, UN agencies, international financial institutions, and the private sector, the team promotes knowledge exchange, innovation, and integration of cross-cutting priorities such as gender equality, digitalization, and resilience-building.
In delivering integrated and future-smart solutions, the Programme team plays a key role in fostering strategic partnerships, mobilizing resources, and identifying new and emerging areas for joint programming. It is also actively engaged in shaping the strategic direction of the Country Office by contributing to planning, target setting, and results-based management, in coordination with the Programme Support team and Operations team in the CO.
The Programme Support team provides essential support through corporate alignment, programme finance management, and quality assurance functions. It works closely with the Programme team to ensure strong performance, accountability, and effective monitoring and reporting of results.
The Operations Team provides programme with backbone support and services related to finance, procurement, human resources, digital services, travel, and logistics, as well as common services and CO transactions support. It provides demand-driven Common services to UN agencies (per agreed procedures). In addition, it provides administrative support to UNDP Staff including project personnel on areas such as protocol, visa facilitation, travel, and others.
Programme staff also work closely with the Communications Analyst, who supports all programme areas by promoting results, capturing lessons learned, and enhancing the visibility and impact of UNDP’s work in Mongolia
Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Programme Analyst is responsible for management of UNDP programme in the area of women’s empowerment, inclusive and accountable governance, and progress towards achievement of the goals. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio and provides policy advice services related to SDG implementation and institutions strengthening at both national and sub-national level. S/he ensures that implementation of SDGs is underpinned by strong governance at national and sub-national level and in line with principles of strong voice, participation and respect for human rights. S/he is responsible also for the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment across the program portfolio. S/he is also responsible for delivering these functions through three key accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, gender equality, and sustainable finance.
The Programme Analyst supervises and leads the programme staff and coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the CO, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors/experts, external specialists, government officials and partners, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of the UNDP programme.
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
1.) 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.
• Contribute to operationalizing UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
• Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness of CO business processes.
• Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.
2.) Ensure effective management of the CO programme within the assigned thematic/sector areas focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of the country programme.
• Contribute to design and formulation of CO programme, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas. Ensure that design and formulation of programme considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals.
• Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
• Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
• Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.
• Support trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
• Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses.
• Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including donor and corporate reports.
• Support the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to PAC; finalize contribution agreements; and determine required revisions.
3.) Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
• Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable to CO), and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas.
• Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including joint programming.
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts.
• Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals, and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects.
4.) Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
• Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.
• Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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 Management
- Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
- Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
- Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
- 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
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
2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness
- Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in a related thematic area.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
• Demonstrated experience and strong knowledge of governance issues, including their linkages with broader development challenges and application in programme design and policy advisory, is highly desired.
• Prior experience in partnership building and resource mobilization in the development sector is desired.
• Prior experience with the UN or UNDP is considered an advantage.
• Proven experience in leading a multidisciplinary team is highly preferred.
Language(s):
• Fluency in the English and Mongolian is 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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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.