Project Analyst (Open to All applicants)

Background

1.    Office/Unit/Project Description :

Djibouti faces extreme climatic conditions, with average annual rainfall ranging between 150 mm and 300 mm. Over the past three decades, the frequency of extreme climate events, particularly droughts, has significantly increased. Between 2008 and 2011, repeated droughts had severe and widespread consequences. Future climate projections predict a temperature increase of 0.6 to 2.4°C by 2050, along with a potential decrease in rainfall of up to 11%. These changes are expected to lead to more frequent and severe droughts, rising sea levels, and increased risks for key socio-economic sectors such as agriculture, livestock, fisheries, tourism, and water resources.

In response, Djibouti has implemented several climate adaptation policies and programs, including the National Adaptation Action Program (PANA, 2006), National Communications to the UNFCCC (2002, 2014, 2021), the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC, 2016), and the National Climate Change Strategy (SNCC, 2017). Climate change adaptation is also identified as a national priority in Djibouti’s Vision 2035 and the National Development Plan (PND) 2020–2024, which supports this ambition. The formulation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), in the framework of the Accelerated Growth and Employment Promotion Strategy (SCAPE 2015–2019) and the current PND, marks the next critical step.

The NAP aims to:

(i) Reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts and strengthen national resilience, and
(ii) Integrate climate change adaptation systematically into national and sectoral planning and budgeting processes.

However, significant barriers persist. These include limited institutional and technical capacities of national coordination bodies, insufficient coordination of adaptation programming, poor access to knowledge-sharing platforms, delays in national reporting mechanisms, lack of sectoral risk and vulnerability assessments, and weak integration of climate considerations into national and regional development planning, budgeting, and monitoring systems.

The project funded under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme aims to address these gaps. It will support the Government of Djibouti in developing and institutionalizing key policy instruments and tools to mainstream climate adaptation into national and regional planning and budgeting processes, strengthen private sector engagement, and enhance climate-sensitive monitoring and evaluation frameworks across all levels of government.

This project builds on national priorities identified through extensive stakeholder consultations and leverages lessons learned from past climate adaptation and readiness programmes. It aligns with the broader GCF framework to help countries increase sustainable financing, improve national adaptation planning capacities, and develop integrated approaches for responding to climate risks.

In this context, and as part of the project’s operational structure under the UNDP Direct Implementation Modality (DIM), the recruitment of key project personnel is essential to ensure effective project delivery and coordination. The project foresees the establishment of a national implementation team embedded within the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), composed of:

•     Project manager : to provide technical leadership, quality assurance of deliverables, and capacity-building support to national counterparts.
•     Project Analyst : to manage day-to-day operations and ensure effective delivery and coordination of project activities in close collaboration with the National Director and UNDP Country Office;
•     Financial and Administrative Assistant: to support financial management, procurement processes, and administrative functions of the project.

2.    Scope of application:

The Project Analyst acts as the National Project Analyst and is responsible for the overall daily management and delivery of the project in line with UNDP’s Direct Implementation Modality (DIM). The PC ensures that activities meet the quality standards and timelines agreed with UNDP, the GCF, and the national government (Ministry of Environment). The works under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist (Environment and Climate) and in close coordination with UNDP Country Office environment team, the National Director (MEDD) and GCF National Designated Authority (NDA). He will work under the guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor.

    Coordinate effective project planning and implementation.
•     Lead the development, updating, and implementation of detailed annual work plans, budgets, and schedules in alignment with project milestones and GCF-approved logframes.
•     Supervise and support the recruitment and performance management of national consultants, short-term experts, and administrative staff in line with UNDP policies and DIM requirements.
•     Oversee the day-to-day implementation and delivery of all project activities and outputs, ensuring quality, timeliness, and compliance with UNDP and GCF standards.
•     Coordinate and organize national workshops, technical meetings, steering committee sessions, and multi-stakeholder dialogues.
•     Monitor project risks and propose mitigation actions, reporting regularly to UNDP and the national counterparts.

    Provide Technical and Institutional Support 
•     Ensure full alignment of project activities with national adaptation processes, including the NAP, SNCC, NDCs, and other relevant national and sectoral policies.
•     Facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into national and regional planning and budgeting instruments (e.g., PTIP, PPBSE, CDMT).
•     Oversee technical work on climate budget tagging, private sector engagement, and the establishment of a climate-responsive monitoring and evaluation system.
•     Foster strong cooperation with technical departments of sectoral ministries and regional/local administrations.

    Establish Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory 
•     Support the establishment and facilitation of multi-stakeholder consultation platforms, including the CDNCC and decentralized regional climate committees.
•     Promote inclusive stakeholder engagement involving civil society, academia, private sector, and community-based organizations.
•     Actively contribute to national policy dialogue on adaptation finance, climate governance, and institutional capacity strengthening.
•     Ensure documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, innovations, and success stories at national and regional levels.

    Facilitate Reporting, Monitoring and Knowledge Management 
•     Lead the preparation and timely submission of all project reports including quarterly progress reports, annual reports, narrative and financial reports to the UNDP, GCF, and MEDD, following donor templates and internal UNDP standards.
•     Monitor and track project delivery rates to ensure alignment with the approved budget and timelines.
•     Maintain oversight of the project’s M&E framework and report on indicators and targets as per the project’s results framework.
•     Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of communication products such as policy briefs, fact sheets, newsletters, case studies, and media releases to enhance project visibility and knowledge sharing.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

3.    Institutional arrangement:

The project will be physically based within the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) to maximize integration with national technical services and government priorities. The project will work in close collaboration with the designated National Director, who will play a key role in strategic oversight and coordination with the various relevant national institutions.
In line with the project’s structure under the Direct Implementation Modality (DIM), the UNDP will retain fiduciary, administrative, and operational responsibility for the project. Accordingly, all activities will be implemented under the leadership of the UNDP Programme Specialist, who will ensure overall project guidance and coordination in close collaboration with the government and UNDP regional and global teams.
At the national level, the project will rely on a National Project Management Unit (PMU), jointly integrated with other ongoing GEF/GCF projects in the country, and hosted within the MEDD premises in Djibouti, while maintaining a strong institutional linkage with the UNDP Country Office.
The dedicated project PMU will include:
•     A full-time Project Analyst, who will be the principal responsible for the daily management of the project and will represent both UNDP and the implementing partner;
•     A full-time Administrative and Finance Associate, responsible for all administrative, logistical, and financial aspects of the project;
•     A Project Manager, who will act as a senior advisor on climate change policy and provide technical support to the project team to ensure the quality and consistency of project deliverables in line with national and international commitments.
•     At the global level, this framework programme will be supported by a Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU).

4. Competencies:
  Core   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 

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
 

5. Travel:

All work will be carried out at the MEDD in Djibouti City, Djibouti. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel expenses, including tickets, lodging, and terminal costs, must be agreed upon between the respective UNDP business unit and the Project Analyst prior to travel and will be reimbursed in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations for personnel under the NPSA modality.

6. The following documents are required from applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all previous positions held and their main underlying functions, their duration (months/years), qualifications, as well as contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate, and at least three (3) most recent professional references from previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (1 page maximum) indicating why the candidate believes he or she is suitable for the position.

Managers may request (on an ad hoc basis) any other documents useful for the pre-assessment of the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other documents.

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. 

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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