Programme Analyst (Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants)

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bolivia works to support the Plurinational State and a wide range of development actors in the implementation of policies, programmes and actions that contribute to sustainable, inclusive and resilient development. This work aligns with the Economic and Social Development Plan (PDES), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, and national commitments in the environmental and climate fields, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Biodiversity Strategy, and global frameworks related to climate and nature.

Within this framework, UNDP’s Environment, Nature and Climate Change area provides technical, programmatic and strategic support to the Government, subnational entities, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations and local communities, the private sector and academia to advance development models that integrate biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, landscape restoration, climate action, ecosystem-based adaptation, disaster risk reduction and strengthened resilience to the impacts of climate change.

UNDP Bolivia’s environmental portfolio includes initiatives financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), bilateral cooperation and decentralized cooperation, among other donors, covering interventions in protected areas, sustainable production systems, priority watersheds, forest and agroforestry management, species conservation, environmental governance, institutional capacity strengthening, and innovative mechanisms for climate and biodiversity finance.

The increasing complexity of Bolivia’s environmental and climate context—including land degradation, biodiversity loss, extreme weather events, pressures on critical ecosystems, and the vulnerability of rural and Indigenous communities—requires strengthening UNDP’s technical and operational capacity to ensure the quality, coherence and effectiveness of its portfolio. In this context, the Programme Analyst for Nature and Climate Change plays a key role in technical coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of projects, ensuring that UNDP principles on environmental integrity, gender equality, interculturality, social inclusion and safeguards are systematically integrated throughout all phases of the programme cycle.

The Analyst will contribute directly to the strategic and operational management of the portfolio, supporting the formulation of new initiatives, resource mobilization, results monitoring and the quality of reports submitted to the Government, donors and partners. The role will also facilitate inter-institutional and territorial coordination, promote synergies among projects within the area, and ensure alignment of UNDP interventions with national sectoral priorities and international frameworks related to biodiversity, climate and sustainability.

The position requires a combination of strong technical expertise, programmatic management capacity, experience working with communities and public-sector counterparts, and analytical skills to translate scientific and technical evidence into practical recommendations for decision-making. The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the Head of the Environment and Climate Change Unit and in close coordination with project teams, thematic specialists, operations, communications, procurement and monitoring units within UNDP Bolivia.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) the Programme Analyst is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends; leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio; and provides policy advice services.

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.

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.

3.)  Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.

4.) Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises program and project staff.

Competencies

• ACHIEVE RESULTS - LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• THINK INNOVATEVELY - 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.

• 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 MANAGEMENT
  • RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
  • 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. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
  • MONITORING & 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.
  • 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.

Technical Competencies

• 2030 AGENDA: ENGAGEMENT & EFFECTIVENESS
  • EFFECTIVENESS - PROJECT QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Geography, Sustainable Development, Forestry Engineering, Agronomy, or related fields 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.
• Master’s degree in Climate Change, Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Conservation, Risk Management/Resilience is desirable.
• Courses/certifications in MRV/Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), Landscape Restoration, Watershed Management, Safeguards/ESG, Environmental Economics are desirable but not required.

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) in environmental or climate project management/programming (planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting).
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.

• Experience in biodiversity/conservation, restoration, natural resource management, climate (mitigation/adaptation), community resilience, or Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
• Experience with indicator monitoring, logical frameworks/Theories of Change, and donor reporting.
• Experience working with the public sector, subnational governments, communities/NGOs, academia, or development cooperation.
• Experience in project proposal development, budget/schedule management, and support in drafting Terms of Reference (ToRs) and procurement processes.
• Experience with environmental and social safeguards, gender, knowledge management, and technical communication.
• 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 managing teams.

• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.