Project Analyst on Vocational and Digital Skills Development (NPSA-8)

UNDP in Uzbekistan in partnership with the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment (MPRE) of the Republic of Uzbekistan initiated a project “Adapting population skills to the post-pandemic economy in Ferghana Valley”. The initiative is funded by the Russian Federation - UNDP-Trust Fund for Development (TFD). The project is aimed at contributing to poverty reduction through increased employment and entrepreneurship opportunities of the population, especially the youth of Fergana Valley by building entrepreneurship and future skills among students and job-seekers.

The project aims at forging a new pathway for the future of work—based on continuous skills attainment, digital leapfrogging and a new balance between life and work. The development objective of the project is reskilling and upskilling of the workforce to deliver new business models in the post-pandemic era. It will target college and university graduates, young women and men in informal employment, returning migrants and other vulnerable groups and help Uzbekistan Government and private sector to craft policies and talent strategy that develop employees’ critical digital and cognitive capabilities, their technical and socio-emotional skills, and their adaptability and resilience. At least 20,000 young people will be benefiting from the project annually. The project will concentrate its work in three major directions:

1. Creating decent employment opportunities by improving technical and digital skills and competencies of self-employed and unemployed women, returning migrants, youth and other vulnerable groups in Fergana Valley that are future-resistant, sustainable and adaptable to changing environment.
2. Strengthening entrepreneurship skills development and start-up ecosystem. 
3. Support re-designing of Government labour market programmes (LMPs) and increasing their impact and reach to create better opportunities for those employed in the informal economy.

In this regard, UNDP is now seeking an experienced Project Analyst to manage project activities on creating decent employment opportunities by improving technical and digital skills and competencies of self-employed and unemployed women, returning migrants, youth and other vulnerable groups in Fergana Valley, provide operational and thematic services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work and fulfill the outcomes and objectives as set out under the component 1 of the Project document.

• Implement the approved AWP and ensure compliance with the milestones and delivery targets under Component 1, outlined in the Project Document;
• Manage project activities on vocational and digital skills development to fulfill the outcomes and objectives as set out in the Project document and undertakes day-to-day responsibility for the satisfactory achievement and implementation of the project component outputs;
• Familiarize him/herself with the international experience on the crisis- resilient recovery and future skills development programmes and develop comprehensive analysis and evidence-based policy advice to the Government of Uzbekistan;
• Develop methodological basis for monitoring of the labor markets, as well as updating qualitative and quantitative indicators of employment, demand and supply for labour force in the context of professions and qualifications;
• Conduct rapid assessment of ongoing support programmes in the area of skills development in the context of COVID-19 (including conducting survey among employers on the basis of designed methodology) and organize capacity building training and workshops in conducting rapid assessments;
• Support design and implementation of the short- and medium-term programmes for building technical skills and competencies of self-employed and unemployed men and women in selected most demanded working professions to address immediate post-crisis market demands;
• Engage in designing of tutoring and methodological materials and conduct trainings for “Ishga Marhamat” Monocenters and local Centres for Professional Development (CPDs) in selected regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan (in Andijan, Namangan and Fergana regions), develop, introduce and adapt resilience-building distance learning solutions;
• Provide technical support in establishing WorldSkills standards and competence assessment infrastructure in pilot CPDs and technical assistance to MELR with establishing public-private partnership with the private training centres on professional education and competence assessment.
• Commit in strengthening management and service delivery capacities in pilot local Centres for Professional Development and/or TVET colleges to provide high-quality skills development trainings and support the establishment of the Career Centers at Fergana State University and Namangan State University
• Develop training and tutoring materials for the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations to establish within the framework of a professional college a STEAM programme, as well as focusing on building digital and future skills;
• Support building resilience and adapting skills of migrant workers to post-COVID labor market demands and providing new income generating opportunities to the left-behind families of the migrant workers, technical and life skills training for the migrants, including women (on reproductive health and family planning, life-skills modules), mobilize additional resources for organizing language programmes for migrant workers, development and adaptation of the language assessment methodologies;
• Support Project Manager in drafting, updating and regularly reviewing project work plans. Assist in monitoring and ensuring efficient implementation of activities in accordance with the approved work plan, ensure best use of personnel and financial resources, and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
• Provide inputs for annual reports, work plans and any other planning, monitoring documents required by the UNDP;
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to obtain any support and guidance required for management and implementation of project activities within the Component 1;
• Under the guidance of the Project Manager work in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, UNDP to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery;
• Support Project Manager in monitoring implementation of project outputs for adopting corrective measures in project implementation, when necessary, to ensure timely delivery of required inputs and achievement of results;
• Support the project team in conducting advocacy and outreach activities, writing of success stories, press-releases, newspapers coverage, and other relevant PR campaigns;
• Support Project Manager in monitoring financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports, including proper utilization of funds and delivery, budget revisions, availability of funds, reconciliation of accounts, establishment of internal control mechanisms;
• Support Project Manager in maintaining project related information in corporate programmatic and financial management frameworks, up to date;
• Assist Project Manager in preparing and submitting in a timely manner, other programmatic, and ensure that the reports meet corporate quality standards;
• Be proactive in advising response to opportunities for resource mobilization and fundraising;
• Organize workshops, seminars, and round tables to introduce project outputs to all stakeholders involved;
• Liaise with other UNDP projects to implement possible synergies.

Operational Functions:

• Plan and implement the work in accordance with the overall work plan using both human and financial resources available in the most effective and efficient way, elaborate and propose new schemes and effective ways to achieve target indicators;
• Participate in elaboration and execution of the project's work plans, analyze emerging problems and propose adequate measures to ensure timely fulfilment of envisioned tasks;
• Provide inputs for annual reports, work plans and any other planning, monitoring documents required by the UNDP;
• Support Programme Manager, Deputy Programme Manager in monitoring implementation of the project outputs for adopting corrective measures in project implementation, when necessary, to ensure timely delivery of required inputs and achievement of results;
• Ensure that all procurement, and tendering processes are organized and implemented in the most transparent way and in line with corporate and national regulations. 

Knowledge Management:

• Document lessons learned and best practices;
• Access global best practices, share them with relevant local and international stakeholders and ensure their incorporation into the project implementation and design process;
• Provide any other necessary support in coaching, guidance for the project staff that will boost their capacity to deliver results.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Analyst on vocational and digital skills development will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and Deputy Programme Manager. The Project Analyst will ensure delivery of outputs under Component 1 of the project in accordance with annual work plan and annual plan of activities of the Project through performing the required duties and responsibilities.

• 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 - Business Acumen
  • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks;
• Business Development - Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need;
• Business Management - 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;
• Business Management - Evaluation
  • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks;
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Digital & Innovation - Data analysis
  • Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
• Digital & Innovation - Digital Inclusion
  • Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society
• 2030 Agenda People- Gender
  • Gender and Institutional Development

• Master’s degree in labour economics, public policy, business management, management, public or business administration, economics, IT or other related fields. 
• Bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

• Minimum 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in the field of private sector development, rural development, gender and youth issues, development of laws and regulations.
• Previous experience with a development partner or government is a strong advantage.
• Proven experience in development of research papers and reports, publications and analytical notes. 
• Prior experience with UNDP projects in similar position would be an asset.
• Proven experience and knowledge of the country’s institutional framework and policies on employment and labor markets would be desirable. 

Skills:

• Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.
• Understanding of Gender equality concept and women empowerment and youth engagement principles.
• Strong analytical, writing, presentation and communication skills.
• Initiative and strong leadership skills. 
• Result and client-orientations. 

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Uzbek is required.
• Good command of the Russian language is desired. 

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