Background
The Project for Supporting Self-reliance of Vulnerable People including Afghan Residents in Surkhandarya Region aims to foster socio-economic resilience and regional stability by empowering Afghan citizens and economically disadvantaged Uzbeks through skills development, entrepreneurship, and cross-border cooperation.
The Surkhandarya region, which borders Afghanistan, faces high unemployment and poverty rates, further exacerbated by the influx of Afghan citizens. Many of these individuals are skilled but face barriers such as language, lack of recognized qualifications, and limited access to employment. The project addresses these challenges by transforming the Educational Centre for Training Afghan Citizens (ECTAC) into a centre of excellence for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and agricultural training.
Key interventions include:
Modernizing ECTAC with state-of-the-art facilities such as science, technology, engineering, and math labs, a greenhouse lab, and a controlled environment storage lab. Delivering intensive TVET courses in fields like agronomy, mechanical engineering, computer technologies, and healthcare to both Afghan and Uzbek citizens. Fostering entrepreneurship through business incubation, paid internships, and capacity-building workshops, including exposure to the โOne Village One Productโ (OVOP) model. Providing equipment and materials to support group start-ups and micro-entrepreneurs in launching or expanding their businesses.The project is grounded in the UNโs โleave no one behindโ principle and aligns with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda by promoting womenโs participation in economic and community development. Through a comprehensive and inclusive approach, the project seeks to reduce unemployment, enhance livelihoods, and contribute to long-term peace and prosperity in the region.
In this regard, UNDP is now seeking an experienced Project Analyst who will be responsible for the overall coordination, implementation, and operational management of the initiative. The incumbent will ensure that all activities are delivered in line with UNDPโs standards and contribute to the achievement of the projectโs intended results.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Project Coordinator) and the direct supervision of the Effective Governance Cluster, the incumbent will be responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of activities related to the One Village One Product (OVOP) component of the project in the Surkhandarya region. The Project Analyst will ensure that OVOP-related interventions are effectively delivered, aligned with the projectโs objectives, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable local economic development.
OVOP Programme Coordination and Implementation:
Lead the day-to-day planning, coordination, and implementation of OVOP-related activities in close collaboration with local authorities, communities, and implementing partners; Support the identification and selection of local products and communities with high potential for OVOP development based on market demand, cultural value, and sustainability; Coordinate the design and delivery of capacity-building workshops on product development, branding, marketing, and quality assurance; Facilitate the organization of study tours and peer learning exchanges, including exposure visits to successful OVOP initiatives in the region (e.g., Kyrgyz Republic).Technical Support and Business Development:
Provide technical guidance to local entrepreneurs and producer groups on business planning, value chain development, and market access strategies; Support the development of community-based micro and small enterprises, including assistance with registration, licensing, and compliance; Coordinate the provision of equipment and materials to selected OVOP groups and ensure proper use and maintenance; Promote the integration of digital tools and e-commerce platforms to enhance visibility and sales of OVOP products.Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building:
Liaise with local government, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and development partners to ensure coordinated support for OVOP initiatives; Facilitate community engagement and participatory planning processes to ensure local ownership and sustainability of OVOP interventions; Support the establishment of producer cooperatives or associations where relevant to strengthen collective action and bargaining power.Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
Develop and maintain a monitoring system to track progress of OVOP activities, including beneficiary data, production volumes, and income generation; Contribute to the preparation of periodic progress reports, success stories, and case studies highlighting the impact of OVOP interventions; Ensure that gender equality, youth inclusion, and environmental sustainability are mainstreamed across all OVOP activities.Knowledge Management and Communication:
Document lessons learned, good practices, and innovations emerging from OVOP implementation; Contribute to the development of knowledge products, promotional materials, and communication content to raise awareness of OVOP achievements; Support visibility efforts in coordination with the UNDP communications team and project stakeholders.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 Project Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator. The Project Analyst will ensure smooth and timely delivery of operations specified in the TOR in accordance with the annual work plan and annual plan of activities of the Project through performing the required duties and responsibilities.
Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is a pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. Learn Continuously:ย 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:ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in the face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.Cross-functionalย andย Technicalย Competenciesย
Business Acumen:ย ย ย ย
Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.ย Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.Knowledge Generation:ย ย ย ย
Monitoring and Evaluation: ย ย ย ย
Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively.ย Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and program management and results.ย Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.ย Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.ย Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.ย Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.ยData Analysis:ย ย ย ย
Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.Digital Inclusion:ย
Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society.Gender:ย ย ย ย
Communication and advocacy for gender equality.ย
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Masterโs degree in Economics, Finance, Public Administration or Public Policy, Business Administration, Management, or other related fields is required, or; Bachelorโs degree in the fields 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 a Masterโs Degree in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.ย Applicants with a bachelorโs degree are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the field of digitalization, start-up development, capacity-building programs, economic development, development of MSME, gender equality and youth issues.ยRequired Skills:
Proven track record of excellent analytical and writing skills, experience in research, data gather and analysis. Experience in designing results-based action plans and results frameworks.Desired Skills:
Proven/previous experience in coordinating local economic development initiatives, particularly those involving community-based entrepreneurship, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) support, or rural value chain development. Proven/previous experience in designing and implementing capacity-building programs for small producers, including training in product development, branding, marketing, and quality assurance. Proven/previous experience in facilitating participatory planning processes and engaging with local communities, producer groups, and cooperatives to ensure inclusive and sustainable development outcomes. Strong understanding of value chain development and market access strategies, including the use of digital tools and e-commerce platforms to enhance visibility and sales. Experience in organizing and managing study tours, peer learning exchanges, and exposure visits, especially in cross-border or regional cooperation contexts. Ability to coordinate the provision and effective use of equipment and materials for micro and small enterprises, ensuring sustainability and impact. Familiarity with the OVOP model or similar community-driven development approaches. Experience in monitoring and evaluating local economic development projects, including tracking production, income generation, and beneficiary outcomes. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with government, civil society, and private sector partners. Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to document lessons learned, success stories, and innovations for knowledge sharing and visibility. Strong leadership, managerial and coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of development bilateral donor projects, including financial and technical aspects. Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search. Strong analytical, writing, presentation and communication skills.ย Prior experience with UNDP projects.ย ยRequiredย Languages:
Fluency in English and Uzbek is required.ย A good command of the Russian language is desirable.Travel:
Officialย travel isย expectedย (inย caseย ofย noย travelย restrictions)ย inย allย regionsย of Uzbekistan and abroad.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
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.
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