Nationality: Under the JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of Denmark. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc
The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme:
The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionalsโ excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.
During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design, implementation and monitoring of UNDPโs programs within UNDPโs headquarters, regional or country offices. Additionally, the JPO will undergo a journey of exposure and growth which will build both personal and professional capacity for a career within the multilateral development sector.
As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.
The JPO will work as part of a team and be supervised by an experienced multidisciplinary UNDP team, including:
โข ย ย ย ย Structured guidance and feedback, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing of responsibilities.
โข ย ย ย ย Establishment of a work plan, professional goals, with clear key results and indicators.
โข ย ย ย ย Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise.
โข ย ย ย ย Completion of the yearly UNDP Annual Performance Review (APR) including learning and development objectives.
The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:
โข ย ย ย ย Participation in a virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
โข ย ย ย ย Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
โข ย ย ย ย On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
โข ย ย ย ย Career development support mechanisms and activities
โข ย ย ย ย Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
โข ย ย ย ย Mentoring programmeย
โข ย ย ย ย Other training and learning opportunities ย
ย
Background and Organizational Context
UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, aiming to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so that countries can sustain progress. As the UNโs development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
In Myanmar, UNDP focuses on strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities to both ongoing and future challenges. The UNDPโs Community First Programme (CFP) provides direct support to these communities, addressing their urgent basic needs and building their resilience to future shocks. The CFP is centered around three area-based projects: (i) Rakhine Triple Nexus (RTN), (ii) Enabling Community Recovery and Resilience (ENCORE), and (iii) Urban Resilience Programme (URP).
The Rakhine Triple Nexus (RTN) is a vital component of the CFP, designed to empower the most vulnerable communities, including the stateless and displaced, by facilitating their transition from crisis to recovery and ultimately to long-term resilience. The RTN encompasses a variety of interventions across economic, social, legal, disaster, and climate sectors. These interventions contribute to three primary outcomes:
1.ย ย ย ย Vulnerable communities, including displaced and stateless populations, gain access to enhanced tools for pursuing inclusive development and social cohesion. This includes improved access to legal services, protection, and fundamental rights.
2.ย ย ย ย These communities benefit from improved access to basic services such as drinking water, community access roads, and essential infrastructure, while also being better prepared for external shocks and natural resource management.
3.ย ย ย ย The most vulnerable households and individuals have their livelihoods rehabilitated and revitalized, with diversified income-generation opportunities.
UNDPโs activities in Rakhine are managed through its Field Office in Sittwe and a Sub-Office in Maungdaw, ensuring effective implementation and support on the ground. In light of the current security conditions, the position would be based in Yangon.
ย
Position Purpose
The Programme Analyst ย will work under the supervision of the Head of the Field Office/Project Manager of the RTNP and provide programmatic, technical, and coordination support across all components of the RTNP. The incumbent will contribute to strategic planning, quality assurance, support results-based monitoring and reporting. The incumbent will also promote cross-sectoral integration across infrastructure, livelihoods, and resilience-building efforts, including climate resilience and the integration of climate, peace, and security (CPS) considerations into programme design and implementation. The Programme Analyst will also support partnership development, risk mitigation, and adaptive programming based on the evolving context.
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.
The Programme Analyst will work closely with experts across the country office, regional bureau, regional office and headquarters, both within UNDP and the broader UN system. Given the range of projects in the field and the exposure to UNDPโs policy and programming work, the JPO will earn a precious experience for future roles within UNDP and, more broadly, across the UN system after the completion of the JPO assignment.
ย
Key Duties and Accountabilities
1. Provide Technical and Strategic Support to Project Implementation:
Support the design and operationalization of work plans, implementation strategies, and budgets in collaboration with the Project Manager and technical staff. Ensure cross-cutting integration of gender, conflict sensitivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability across project outputs. Provide quality assurance and technical review of partner proposals, deliverables, and implementation processes. Support the development and adaptation of tools, guidelines, and frameworks to improve operational effectiveness.2. Ensure Results-Based Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
Work with the M&E focal points to track project performance indicators and ensure timely collection of high-quality data from the field. Contribute to the preparation of quarterly and annual progress reports, donor updates, briefing notes, and strategic reviews. Support adaptive management by identifying implementation challenges and contributing to timely course corrections and problem-solving.3. Facilitate Coordination Among Thematic Areas and Partners:
Ensure internal coordination across thematic teams (e.g., infrastructure, livelihoods, DRR) to maintain coherence in planning and delivery. Liaise with UN agencies, implementing partners, civil society organizations, and local authorities to strengthen coordination and complementarity. Represent the project in technical and coordination meetings when delegated by the Project Manager.4. Contribute to Risk Management and Operational Oversight:
Monitor implementation risks and develop mitigation strategies in coordination with the Project Manager and Operations team. Ensure adherence to UNDPโs policies on social and environmental safeguards, procurement, and operational standards. Participate in regular field visits to support quality assurance and provide hands-on support to partners and field teams.5. Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management:
Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.ย Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners. Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.ย Provide input so 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.ย Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas.ย
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Political Sciences, Social Science or related field is required, orย A first-level university degree (Bachelorยดs degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Masterยดs degree.ยExperience, Knowledge, and Skills
Required:
Minimum of two (2) years (with masterยดs degree) or four (4) years (with bachelorยดs degree) of professional experience in in development programming, project implementation, with International/governmental organization including experience related to disaster recovery, area-based development/community development/livelihoods/stabilization programme/projects.ย Experience in results-oriented and conflict-sensitive programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation is required.ยDesirable:ย
Proven ability in project design, monitoring, and results reporting. Experience working in crisis-affected or politically sensitive contexts is an asset.ย Experience with working with the climate, peace and security (CPS) nexus is an asset.ย Familiarity with UN rules, procedures, and thematic areas (e.g., livelihoods, DRR, governance) is desirable.
Experience with economic analysis/research related to development in conflict and/or on disaster risk reduction are desirable.ย Proven track record of experience in country office strategic planning and programming, monitoring and demonstrated ability to use data and analytics to inform strategy is desired. ย Experience in resource mobilization is desired.ย Experience of working, liaising and collaborating with officials, civil society representatives, and stakeholders in complex and sensitive crisis/post crisis settings is desired;ย Familiarity with UNDP rules and procedures would be an advantage;ย Experience in Myanmar is desired
Language requirement
Fluency in English is required; Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.Nationality
Under the JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of Denmark. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinkingย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackย Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible ย Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneouslyย Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnershipsย Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making ยCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. Business Direction & Strategyย Entrepreneurial Thinking Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDPโs organizational priorities and mandate. Business Management Portfolio ManagementAbility to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Business Management Monitoring and EvaluationAbility to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme 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. Ability to make anย
independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Development 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.Partnership managementย
Multi-stakeholder engagement and fundingย
Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platformsย
Business Direction & StrategySystems Thinkingย
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 systemย
Approximate start date of assignment: 1 November 2025
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.
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.
ย