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 committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
UNDP has been supporting the development efforts of Kazakhstan since independence, with major focus on all pillars of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental. Its work is aimed at strengthening human development for all so that no one is left behind. The UNDP CO jointly with the Government institutions and other stakeholders implements several strategic initiatives in various sectors ranging from public administration issues to building social cohesion and supporting resilience measures. Governance area is an integral part of the UNDP CO programme, which primarily focuses on building effective, efficient, transparent, and accountable institutions, free of corruption. Governance programme consists of several strategic initiatives that support Kazakhstan modernization efforts with focus on priority reform areas stretching from Civil Service Reform and Rule of Law to Prevention of Violent Extremism and addressing the needs of most vulnerable groups of population. The Governance programme activities are implemented by the Governance and Local Development Unit and its projects in close partnership and collaboration with the Government of Kazakhstan on national and subnational levels, expert community, academia, and civil society organizations. The Governance Unit partners with multiple stakeholders to realize UNDP mission, including the Administration of the President, Prime-Minister’s Office, Parliament, line ministries and local government authorities. Increased attention is devoted to partnerships with civil society organizations, private sector and international donor organizations to strengthen the efforts at sectoral level. In September 2015, the United Nations and 193-member countries endorsed the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development during the 70th General Assembly, by adopting the Declaration of the Summit on Sustainable Development. The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) signed the agenda underlining that the goals and targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) fully coincide with the priorities and tasks of Kazakhstan. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a visionary roadmap to strive for a world of sustainable prosperity, social inclusion and equality.
The project “Advancing Local Governance Reform in Kazakhstan” aimes to contribute to a more balanced and inclusive territorial development and improved quality of life in Kazakhstan by fostering responsive, accountable, and development-oriented local governance. It focuses on enhancing the capacities of local authorities and stakeholders through inclusive training and peer learning; promoting evidence-based national policymaking through high-level dialogue, digital platforms and stronger communication between national and local levels; and supporting initiative to pilot locally driven solutions that can inform the development and scaling-up of effective policy initiatives.
Considering the project’s scope and complexity, a Project Analyst is required to support the Project Manager in ensuring the effective and timely implementation of the project activities. The Project Analyst will provide coordination, analytical and technical support in accordance with project document and approved annual work plans.
Duties and Responsibilities
Coordinate effective project planning and implementation:
- Provide comprehensive support for the planning, coordination and implementation of assigned project in accordance with approved project documents, annual work plans, agreements between the Government and UNDP, and applicable UNDP policies and procedures.
- Provide support in coordination/management of day-to-day activities of the project, including the preparation and regular updating of annual and detailed work plans, monitoring of activities, identification of implementation challenges, and timely follow-up with responsible parties.
- Provide subject-matter expertise and technical advice to support the effective delivery of project outputs on time, within the approved budget and established parameters and in accordance with required quality standards.
- Prepare and coordinate the timely submission of project-related documentation, including progress reports, briefing notes, terms of reference, meeting materials, implementation updates and other technical and management documents.
- Support the coordination of project activities with government counterparts, local authorities, consultants, UNDP technical teams, other UNDP projects and programme units, and relevant development partners to promote complementarity, coherence and achievement of overall project objectives.
- Facilitate interactive and inclusive platforms for project implementation and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that relevant cross-cutting development issues, including gender equality, social inclusion and the needs of vulnerable groups, are appropriately integrated into project activities and expected outputs
Strengthen partnership and maintaine close liaison with project counterparts and partners:
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key project counterparts, including the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Bureau of National Statistics, Economic Research Institute, local authorities, civil society organizations, private-sector entities, development partners and other stakeholders involved in project implementation.
- Maintain regular liaison with national and local partners to ensure their meaningful participation, promote government ownership and facilitate effective coordination of project activities at the national and subnational levels.
- Provide technical guidance and support to implementing partners and facilitate timely communication, coordination, and information exchange between UNDP, government counterparts, donors, and other project stakeholders.
- Develop and regularly update stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify partners’ envolving needs, interests, capacities and opportunities for strengthening their engagement.
- Remain informed about the work of other development initiatives in the relevant sectors, maintain contact with their implementing organizations and identify opportunities for coordination, complementarity, joint initiatives and avoidance of duplication.
- Prepare analytical inputs, substantive briefs, knowledge products, talking points and speeches for UNDP senior management on project-related issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality, private-sector engagement and implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
- Identify and assess opportunities for new partnerships and programme development; and facilitate networking with development partners and potential donors, and provide management with recommendations on areas of cooperation and initiatives with potential for synergy, replication, institutionalization and scale-up in consultation with the Head of the Governance Unit.
- Contribute to strengthening UNDP’s partnerships with government institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, donors, academia, and other potential partners by providing high-quality technical support and facilitating constructive dialogue
Facilitate knowledge generation, capacity development and knowledge sharing in project’s thematic areas:
- Provide support to organization and coordination of technical meetings, consultations, training sessions, workshops, seminars and other capacity-development activities in an inclusive and consultative manner, engaging relevant representatives of government, the private sector, civil society, development partners, academia, and other stakeholders.
- Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
- Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
- Support advocacy and outreach activities relating to relevant development trends, project results and opportunities for collaboration, in coordination with project partners and stakeholders
Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets:
- Support the review and updates of the project results framework, including indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification of the assigned project. Contribute to development of clear strategies and effective system for data collection, information sharing and reporting.
- Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations and standards.
- Identify, analyze and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems and risks. Conduct field visits to project location sites.
- Support in preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Analyst works under the general supervision of Head of Governance and Local Development Unit and collaborates closely with the Project Manager. Under their guidance, the Project Analyst is responsible for the timely delivery and quality of outputs and technical advice. The job holder will ensure to provide quality advice to the Project Manager and Head of Unit and comply with appropriate UNDP policies and procedures.
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 competencies:
- UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy
- Strategic Thinking
- Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
- 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 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.
- Human-centered Design
- Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. Knowledge and understanding of human centred design principles and practices.
Business Management
- Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Partnerships Management
- 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.
- 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
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
- Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
- Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Partnership management
- Strategic engagement
- Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, International Development, Community Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences or related field is required, OR;
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in implementation of the projects related to mainstreaming Sustainable Development Goals in Kazakhstan for a minimum of 2 years
Required skills:
- Demonstrated experience in working with national government institutions, as well as with local authorities, communities, and civil society organizations.
- Demonstrated experience in analysing complex issues and translating findings into practical plans, recommendations, and implementation measures
Desired skills:
- Experience in networking and partnership development.
- Experience to work to tight deadlines.
- Experience in event organisation.
- Experience in speechwriting
Languages:
- Fluency in English and Russian and/or Kazakh 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
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