Project Analyst (NPSA-8) - UNDP Moldova/PBF Project

Background

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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.

Moldova’s prospects for sustained peace, stability and shared prosperity remain hampered by the protracted conflict on its territory. The Transnistrian region remains effectively separated from the rest of the country since the end of the active conflict in 1992, not controlled by the government in Chisinau and with a de facto leadership that is supported by the Russian Federation. Despite the existence for many years of an active, formal OSCE-led settlement process (the “5+2 format” which was created in 2005, while conflict settlement talks between the two sides initially began after an Agreement between Moldova and Russia on the principles for a peaceful settlement of the armed conflict on the left bank of Nistru river was signed on 21 July 1992), no political resolution of the overall conflict has been achieved.  The settlement of the Transnistrian conflict remains a key focus for the Government of Moldova, tied also to its energy dependency on the Russian Federation, overall development, and capacity to move ahead with European integration. The Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration (DPM) and the Bureau for Reintegration Policies are the authorities set up specifically to deal with this issue, with the DPM also being the lead negotiator for the settlement process from the Chisinau side. 

In this context, the main goal of the project to be implemented by three UN Agencies (OHCHR, UNDP and UN Women) is to facilitate an enabling environment for improved cross-river interconnectedness and interaction, reduced social tensions and the continuation of the settlement process.

The project seeks to support peace talks by strengthening trust and confidence between the communities on the two sides of the river as well as between the Moldovan authorities and the de facto structures through capacity building, cross-river engagement and cooperation between CSOs, institutions, de facto structures and other conflict settlement process actors with a specific and ambitious focus on human rights, gender equality and increased service delivery. 

This will contribute to better integration of human rights and gender equality perspectives in the negotiation agenda and help build capacities to more effectively address HR, WPS and GE issues in the peace process. 

The project also aims to reduce the existing divisions between the communities on the left and right bank as well as between certain groups in Moldovan society, which are being aggravated by starkly opposing views on the war in Ukraine, hate speech and misinformation and which are also impacted by pressures of the large influx of refugees from Ukraine. 

The two outcomes of the project are focused on strengthening the cross-river engagement and productive interaction at the level of government and de-facto structures, civil society organizations, National Human Rights Institution and the human rights focal point on the left bank, and at community level and on strengthening responses to divisive narratives and misinformation to reduce social tensions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Cluster Lead/Policy Specialist and in close cooperation with project officers of other agencies, the Project Analyst will ensure the provision of high-quality development of services and products, as outlined in the Project Document. All the work will be based on an appreciation of human rights and gender equality. 
 

More specifically, the Project Analyst will perform the following functions:

• Contribute to the timely and efficient delivery of outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected results and ensure full compliance of all the actions with UNDP policies and procedures.
• Liaise with the project’s stakeholders to ensure that results are achieved, and objectives are met;
• Work with the Project team to present work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports (on a quarterly, mid-year and annual basis, or more often as required by the project document) and expenditure status reports to the Project Board and UNDP Country Office;
• Ensure the effective coordination of human resources pertaining to the UNDP component of the Project, including development of Terms of References, Technical Specifications for consultants/service providers and short-term experts, and support in conducting periodic performance appraisals and validating deliverables;
• In collaboration with the relevant administrative project personnel contribute to compliant, effective and efficient utilization of the financial resources of the Project, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
• Along with other team members, develop and maintain a monitoring system to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback and elaboration of top-quality progress reports; ensure appropriate visibility of activities in mass media and with stakeholders;
• Draft and translate relevant correspondence as required;
• Design and lead activities in a designated area(s) of the project’s intervention;
• Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the Project requested by the supervisor.

Key Results:

The position has a direct impact on the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP interventions and activities in the assigned sectorial/thematic area of promoting democratic governance. The support and information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board and UNDP Management. 
 

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and supervision of the Cluster Lead/Policy Specialist, the incumbent provides effective and efficient contribution to the implementation of the project outputs through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of programme activities. 

The Project Analyst applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Project Board for results.

The Project Analyst works in close collaboration with the programme, operations, communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to the resolution of complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. Project Analyst also collaborates with other UN projects and other development partners. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of effective internal control systems.

The Project Analyst will be engaged in continuous collaboration with other Project colleagues on the delivery of joint initiatives and activities.

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 

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies:

• Business Direction and Strategy - Strategic Thinking:   
  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
  • Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
• Business Direction and Strategy - Negotiation and Influence:   
  • Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations.
• Partnership Management - Relationship Management:    
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, built, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
• Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation:   
  • Ability to animnate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
• Communications - Social Media Management:  
  • Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks
• Business Management - 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 commnuications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Business Management - Project Management:   
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Required Skills and Experience

 Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, international relations, political science, economics, law or other related areas.
• Bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 years of qualifying experience can be taken into consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of project-based activities, preferably related to democratic governance, strategic advice and/or working in a relevant position. 
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm or previous experience with UN agencies is compulsory. 

Languages:

• Fluency in spoken and written English, Romanian and Russian
• Working knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, would be an asset.

Required skills:

• At least (1) one assignment related to the coordination and monitoring of external consultants.
• Excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and to present ideas clearly and effectively.
• Experience in the design and delivery of trainings and workshops, as well as facilitation of public events, will be an asset.
• Pursuit of continuous personal learning and ability to apply newly acquired skills.
   

Desired Skills:

• Previous demonstrated professional experience in working in the Transnistria region context will be an advantage.
• Proven experience in similar positions in development programs will be considered an advantage.
• Experience in mainstreaming gender and human rights aspects will be an advantage.
• Valuable exposure and experience in the organization of workgroups, consultation meetings, conferences, and trainings with multiple participants.
• Experience in coordinating a team is a very strong advantage.

Professional Certificates:

• Additional training and/or certification in project or financial management would be an advantage.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

a) Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

b) A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

c) Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters
 

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

UNDP is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.

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 To apply please follow the link/Pentru a aplica, vă rugăm să adresați link-ul: Apply

Advertisement end date/Data de încheiere a postului vacant: 26 May 2023