Background
UNDP is the UNโs global development network, an agency advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. In Bhutan, over last 50 years, UNDP has been supporting the Royal Government to attain its national priorities. In 2024, UNDP started implementation of the Country Programme Document 2024-2028, aligning to the countryโs 13th Five Year Plan.
In 2023, Bhutan graduated from the UN list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Over the past decades, the country has made remarkable progress in reducing income and multidimensional poverty, aligned with its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the impressive progress, the country is grappling with critical socio-economic challenges such as large-scale emigration of the productive and skilled labor force, youth unemployment, declining fertility rate, increasing trade deficit, and shrinking fiscal space. These challenges take place amidst a slow post-pandemic economic recovery and against the broader backdrop of structural challenges, such as limited economic diversification, a still-nascent private sector, absence of robust regulatory and institutional framework.ย
Bhutanโs 13th FYP (2024-2029) sets out the ambitious target of doubling the size of the countryโs economy within the next five years and then doubling it again over the subsequent five year, reaching USD 10 billion by 2034, a target year that Bhutan plans to reach the high-income status. To achieve this, Bhutan must maintain a nominal GDP growth rate of approximately 11.9% annually for the next 12 years. Recognizing the challenges and potential opportunities in Bhutanโs 21st-century economy, the Royal Government of Bhutan aims to accelerate and foster a robust economic recovery and growth.
UNDPโs largest portfolio focuses on climate action, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity conservation, and resilience building. UNDP's support aligns with Bhutanโs aspirations for sustainable and inclusive growth, addressing complex development challenges while promoting transformative change through the integration of innovation, digitization, and technology. The Environment Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.
Under the guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager of the Environment and Livelihoods Unit,the Programme Analyst analyzes national and global development trends and formulate , manageย and evaluate programme and projectย within assigned portfolio and thematic area under the guidance of the portfolio manager.
The Programme Analyst supervise and lead Programme Associate if assigned by the management. He/sheย 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, external specialists, and government partners 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
Contribute to the formulation and implementation of programme strategies and policies.
Provide inputs to thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; provides collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents. Provide inputs to operationalize UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness CO business processes.ย Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.Participate in 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.
Provide input to design and formulation of CO programmes, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas.ย Ensure that design and formulation of programme considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals. Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.ย Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDPโs digital standards. Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results. Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and support effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.ย Provide inputs to trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming. Support preparation for audits and the implementation of management responses. Prepare inputs for reporting, including donor and corporate reports. Support the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to PAC, finalize contribution agreements, and determine required revisions.Support creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the CO resource mobilization strategy.
Support development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable to CO), and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas.ย ย Provide input in Identifying strategic programme areas of cooperation, including for joint programming.ย Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and support Country Office resource mobilization efforts. Contribute to development of portfolios andย Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects.Support Provision of top-quality advisory services to the Government and facilitate knowledge building and management.
Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and compile best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals. Support establishment and strengthening of national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.ย Support development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.ย Ensure that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account.ย Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms. Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned programme areas.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: Supervise Programme Associate
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results:ย LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking Learn Continuously:ย LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning Adapt with Agility:ย LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision makingยPeople Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site.ย
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
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.Business Management โ Portfolio Management
Business Management โ Risk Management
Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risk.Business Management โ 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.Business Development โ Knowledge Generation
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations2030 Agenda: Planet โย Nature
Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Policy and practice shift2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness - Effectiveness
Project Quality AssuranceRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Environment, Social Sciences, or related field is required.OR
A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Applicants with masterโs degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.ย Applicants with a Bachelorโs degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional programme implementation experience at the national and/or international level.ย Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required. Experience in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects within assigned thematic area is desirable.ย ย Proven experience in applying strong knowledge of UN, public, or private enterprise risk management policies, Accountability Frameworks, and programme/project management policies and procedures is desirable. Experience working with UNDP/UN and/or other NGO/international organizations will be an asset. Experience in leadingย partnerships with the Government counterparts, UN Agencies,ย international financial institutions (IFIs), bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector actors, and civil society is desired. Experience in leading strategic finance and resource management to accelerate programme implementation is desired. Experience in the development of high-quality concept notes, funding proposals, and partnership frameworks is desired. Experience in program/project execution in the field of environment and livelihood is an asset.Language:
Fluency in English and Dzongkha is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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