Project Analyst

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 on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

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 is a long-term development partner of the Maldives for over 45 years. In the Upper Middle-Income Country context, UNDP country office in Maldives provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Government of Maldives in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society. In Maldives, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Maldives and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Strategic Action Plan. Maldives is currently in the process of formulating its Strategic Action Plan with UNDP support following the change of government in 2023.

 In the current Country Programme cycle 2022 – 2026 (https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/CPD%20Maldives.pdf), UNDP has significantly shifted its programme offer to Maldives around 3 pillars supported by a diverse funding base from government finance, bilateral and multilateral donors, blended and innovative finance, etc.: (i) Integrated Governance Programme focusing on justice sector reform, decentralization and local governance with youth, gender and people with disabilities’ participation; (ii) resilience and climate actions, (iii) SDG finance and fiscal spacing, to enable Maldives to achieve sustainable development by eradicating inequality and poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP Maldives’ Integrated Governance Programme described herein aims to create an enabling environment for citizens’ engagement in a decentralized manner, by harnessing the power of citizen-led open democracy, digital transformation and anticipatory governance, while enhancing independence, transparency, and accountability of the governance and justice system, will lead to democratic, sustainable, and meaningful human development for the people of Maldives. The program aims to achieve this through the three result areas:

1. Open, decentralised, and gender-responsive governance systems
2. Equitable access to justice and human rights
3. Empowered, cohesive and resilient communities.

The Project Analyst will contribute to the implementation of the Governance Programme. UNDP is looking for individuals who have the analytical, planning, implementation and evaluation capacities that can implement projects effectively and deliver projects’ results.  We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated and committed to making a positive contribution to sustainable development in the Maldives. 

Under the guidance and supervision of Project Manager, the Project Analyst provides project management and technical advisory services to the Governance portfolio of UNDP Maldives, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work in the provision of project management and technical advisory services required for successful and timely implementation of the projects. The Project Analyst promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP policies, rules and regulations. The incumbent works in close collaboration with the programme staff of the UNDP Maldives and with UNDP BRH and UNDP HQ ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work in the provision of technical support required for consistent service delivery and management practices.

Summary of Key Functions:  

• Coordinate effective project planning and implementation to achieve projects’ results.
• Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.
• Establish partnerships and open channels of communication for the achievement of projects’ results.
• Provide technical advisory services to the projects including policy formulation, knowledge management, and advocacy efforts for the achievement of projects’ results.
• Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s). 

Ensure effective project planning and implementation to achieve projects’ results.

• Develop project planning process and ensure the work plan and a fully costed budget are prepared based on sound capacity assessments and in accordance with UNDP POPP/PPM Guidelines. 
• Coordinate / manage the day-to-day activities of the assigned portfolio and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives and results specified in project document. Provide subject matter technical advice and support and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified constraints, and to high-quality standards.
• Facilitate establishment of interactive and inclusive platforms for project implementation and collaborate with other programme units and project teams to ensure integration of critical development issues in the project activities and expected project outputs. 
• Ensure implementation activities are in alignment with UNDP policy and programme management procedures and all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows.
• Ensure operational management of assigned portfolio including through timely procurement of goods, services and/or infrastructure (as relevant), effective management of human, technical and financial resources, etc. 
• Maintain regular working relationships with other UNDP programmes to ensure overall integration of the project activities within the Country Office programme.
• Assess the impact, effectiveness of the interventions and portfolio through regular field visits and highlight achievements, progress and challenges through impact and results-driven reports.
• Ensure effective communication of results and build the visibility of the Project amongst stakeholders as well as among the international community within and outside the country.

Support monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

• Review the results framework and update the indicators, baselines, and targets of the assigned portfolio. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and 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, analyse, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Conduct field visits to project location sites.
• In consultation of Project Manager, liaise with the Management & Oversight team and Finance team to ensure project management requirements, budgets and use of financial resources are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
• Prepare corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements.
• Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.
• Ensure full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations.

Maintain partnerships and open channels of communication for the achievement of projects’ results.

• Maintain trustful relationships and maintain a continuous and constructive dialogue with government, civil society, local communities, and donors to maximize consistency, synergy and maximize impact and results.
• Maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned portfolio.
• Maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives.
• Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies.
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners. 
• Support resource mobilization efforts and new project development.
• Support in advocating  for project’s objectives with private sector entities, financing institutions and impact investors to leverage the required sustainable financing to meet project’s targets.
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions, and feedback among stakeholders according to the agreed management arrangements.
• Ensure regular communication of project results, including through communication products, digital content, visibility materials, and liaison with media in the country and beyond.

Provide technical assistance to the projects including policy formulation, knowledge management, and advocacy efforts for the achievement of projects’ results.

• Provide regular reporting, analysis, and technical assistance to UNDP Country Office and project teams on the strategic opportunities for new projects / initiatives.
• Coordinate and support development institutions working towards addressing development priorities in collaboration with the government partners / stakehodlers and other strategic partners

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building and knowledge sharing relevant to the assigned thematic area(s). 

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• 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. 

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

• 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 & Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy    

• Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources 

Business Management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Risk Management : Ability to identify and organise action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Partnership management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide network of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• Results-based management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results

Partnership management   

• Relationship management : Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding