Background and Organizational Context
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP/UNCDF: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP/UNCDF including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP/UNCDF 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.
Project Description
UNCDF, a hybrid development and financial organization, is uniquely positioned in the UN system to collaborate across private and public sectors to build strategic partnerships, co-management frameworks, and deploy various instruments (concessional loans, bonds, guarantees, etc.) as well as technical assistance to incubate solutions and attract private investment. UNCDF recognizes the critical need to catalyze private investment in inclusive and innovative solutions that deliver cross-cutting impacts for sustainable development with a focus on peace, climate adaptation and resilience, food security and nature conservation.
UNCDF launched a new Strategic Framework for 2022-2025 that offers an ambitious roadmap aimed at unlocking the potential of finance to accelerate SDG-positive achievements for the benefit of the most vulnerable nations. In particular, the new UNCDF Framework highlights biodiversity finance as a severely underfunded climate mitigation solution and propose to apply UNCDF multidimensional capital mandate to mobilize further public and private, international and domestic finance in LDCs through concessional capital deployment, financial advisory and support for the establishment of financing mechanisms and systems that promotes the valuation of the LDC unique natural assets potential.
UNCDF intent is to support LDCs to create an enabling environment for nature-positive pipeline building, investments and market opportunities that create equitable and diversified economic growth. The essence of this transformation is a strategic shift from viewing nature as a resource to treating nature as an asset. This represents a very different view to natural resource investing wherein nature is commoditized for short run gain and its long run economic and nature-based value is not taken into consideration. In order to support this strategic shift, UNCDF is consolidating its growing nature-based portfolio into a Nature Asset Team (UNCDF NAT). The team will serve to mobilize the nature-positive public and private finance needed for green & blue economic transformation supporting several pilot projects financed by the Central Africa Forest Initiative – CAFI, the Global Fund for Coral Reef, the Peace Building Fund – PBF and several bilateral donors. UNCDF’s Nature Asset Team’s objective is to identify solutions, drive investment, and transform markets to promote the protection and enhanced valuation of nature assets. Through UNCDF’s tailored financial vehicles and tools, the Nature Asset Team focuses on scaling-up investment in solutions that place nature at the heart of economic transition to enable long-term resilience and restoration.
Scope of Work
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Portfolio Manager/Deputy Director of the Nature Assets Team, the Coordination Analyst will conduct the following tasks:
Programme Management
- Provide expertise and analysis on nature, climate and stability contexts relevant to key NAT geographic priorities and projects.
- Contribute to the production of concept notes addressing strategic aspects crucial for effective project implementation.
- Support strategic coherence among UNCDF NAT programming in particular with the Peace Building Fund and the Investment for Peace platform.
- Support the coordination of priorities and activities across the NAT portfolio for efficient implementation of the portfolio.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:
- Set up and maintain a database for the management of the indicator framework across the various projects including the harmonization of data sourcing methods.
- Conduct comprehensive monitoring of project implementation status and provide recommendations to the Senior Portfolio Manager/Deputy Director.
- Contribute to the drafting of the respective project semi and annual report as required by the donors.
- Facilitate regular feedback sessions with project teams to assess the effectiveness of applied lessons and make real-time adjustments to project strategies.
- Ensure gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) is integrated in the MEL framework and in results reporting.
- Ensure the integration of lesson learning into project planning, ensuring that future initiatives benefit from insights gained during the lesson learning process.
Liaise with UN Agencies and other stakeholders and establish partnerships and open channels of communication.
- Foster partnership established with sister agencies and partners in country and elsewhere under the guidance of the Senior Programme Manager/Deputy Director.
- Establish and sustain effective communication channels with UN Agencies and other partners, fostering collaboration in key areas.
Develop and 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.
Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy 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.
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 Coordination Analyst will join the UNCDF NAT in the UNCDF’s Kigali Office in Rwanda, and will be working under the direct guidance and supervision of the Senior Programme Manager/Deputy Director of the NAT.
UNCDF will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function is undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.
If any unforeseen travel is requested by UNCDF and not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be negotiated to be covered by UNCDF in line with applicable rules and regulations.
Competencies
Core competencies:
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:
Thematic Area Name Definition
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.
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 development – Knowledge generation
- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.
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 communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
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.
Partnership management – Relationship management
- Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA
Minimum Education requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, International Relations and/or other relevant field is required, or
- Bachelor’s degree in the above fields of study in additional two years of experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of master’s degree.
Minimum years of relevant work experience
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible work experience in knowledge management, programme development and/or project coordination in the development sector at national and internationals level, required.
Required skills
- Previous work experience with the UN and/or international organization, familiarity with its mandate and work, 2030 Agenda and SDGs required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Certifications in project management or other relevant certifications.
- Experience in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools for programme management.
- Prior experience in interacting with various stakeholders to coordinate activities and provide updates.
- Demonstrated experience in strong organizational skills including prioritizing activities, manage time efficiently, and synchronise multiple aspects of the project.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in English and French is required.
- Working knowledge of Spanish and/or other UN languages is an asset.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP/UNCDF, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP/UNCDF advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP/UNCDF is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP/UNCDF rosters.
Note: UNDP/UNCDF 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/UNCDF at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP/UNCDF 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/UNCDF 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.
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