Background
Uzbekistan, Central Asiaโs most populous country with 37 million people in 2024, possesses abundant natural resources, including natural gas, gold, copper, uranium, and coal, contributing to steady economic growth of 5.5โ6% annually. Despite this, the country faces economic, social, and environmental challenges, particularly in reducing poverty and inequality. The poverty rate declined from 17% in 2021 to 11% in 2023 and is projected to reach 6% by 2025, with Uzbekistan implementing a multidimensional poverty index to ensure inclusive development. Climate change threatens agriculture, water resources, and labor productivity, potentially costing 1% of GDP by 2030 and reducing economic potential by 10% by 2050, with heightened risks for female-headed households, persons with disabilities, and rural communities.ย
Since 2017, Uzbekistan has pursued ambitious reforms through its National Development Strategies (2017โ2021 and 2022โ2026) and the \"Uzbekistan โ 2030\" strategy, aiming to double GDP, increase per capita income to $4,000, and achieve upper-middle-income status while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, achieving these goals requires stronger integration of SDGs into strategic planning, budgeting, and policy coordination, along with enhanced domestic resource mobilization and improved public expenditure efficiency to drive sustainable and inclusive development.
During 2020-2024 UNDP has provided technical assistance to the Government of Uzbekistan in promoting a more integrated approach to financing its national development priorities and the SDGs through establishment of an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), mainstreaming SDGs and Green considerations into the budgetary process through introduction of SDG and Green Budgeting methodologies and practices, advancing PFM reforms, particularly ensuring the accountability, and transparency of public funds and involving citizens into the budgetary process through participatory budgeting. Additionally, UNDP supported the Government in development and introduction of the new innovative financing instruments including the SDG and Green Bonds, Islamic Finance Instruments, etc.
Building on this UNDP with the support of the Slovak Government is starting a new initiative on โPublic Finance for Development in Uzbekistanโ aimed at establishing a clear, results-driven strategic planning and budgeting system in Uzbekistan, aligned with the SDGs and green development priorities. Specifically, the project aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of the Government to transition towards an SDG-oriented budgeting framework, using green budgeting mechanisms to achieve measurable improvements in economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Analyst will work under direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist/Inclusive Growth Cluster Leader and the overall guidance of Project Specialist. The Project Analyst is fully responsible for operational management of the project according to the project document, UNDP corporate rules and procedures by performing the following main functions and responsibilities:
General project management:
Overseeing planning process for the project and ensure its implementation in accordance with the signed project document; Be responsible for ensuring that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost; Managing realization of project components and outputs through activities; Designation and receipt of assistance and recommendations for effective management, planning and control of the project; Providing directions to project personnel and project stakeholders and beneficiaries;ย Be responsible for the administrative issues of the project implementation; Preparing timely reports of project progress in line with UNDP and donor requirements Ensuring that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming); Interacting with the Project Board or its representatives to ensure the implementation and quality of the project to ensure the focus and integrity of the project; Interacting with suppliers. Development and use of innovative financial instruments includingย Thematic Bonds, Blended Finance, Islamic Finance, etc.;Project implementationย
Planning project activities and monitoring the progress of achieving project goal and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria;ย Coordinating and manage the day-to-day activities of the project and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives; Monitoring the implementation of project work plans, analyzing emerging problems and take adequate measures to ensure the timely implementation of the planned tasks and activities; Mobilizing goods and services for the implementation of activities, including the preparation of Terms of Reference and work specifications; Monitoring the progress in implementation of the project activities and achieving the targets set;ย Monitoring the use of financial resources to ensure the correctness and reliability of financial statements;ย Managing and monitoring of potential project risks identified in the approved Project Document, introducing new risks to the Project Board for consideration and, if necessary, taking responsive action; updating the status of these risks by constantly filling and managing the table of possible project risks;ย Preparing the required project progress thematic and financial reporting based on the donor and UNDP requirements and its submission to the Project Board consideration.Closure of the Project:
Ensuring proper operational, financial and programmatic closure of the project; Organization of transfer of project assets to the project beneficiaries, project documentation and files; Preparing final project thematic and financial reports for subsequent submission to the Project Board, donor and UNDP approvals.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. Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDPโs engagement in this area. Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ย ย
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Analyst will work under the general guidance of UNDP Programme Specialist/Inclusive Growth Cluster Leader and direct supervision of the Projectย Specialist, the Project Analyst will be responsible for the implementation of the project activities and achievement of the planned project outputs. The Project Analyst will supervise the staff recruited for the implementation of the mentioned UNDP projects.
Project Analyst will provide operational and thematic services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. Project Analyst works in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, other relevant projects, operations, and Programmeโs staff in the UNDP CO to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery, and undertake day-to- day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the project component outputs.
Competencies
Achieve Results -ย 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 Continuouslyย - 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 - 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 making.People Management Competency: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site.
Cross Functional and technical competencies:
Business direction & strategy - Strategic thinkingย ย ย ย Develop effective strategies and prioritized 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 Development- Knowledge Generationย ย ย ย ย ย ย 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 situations Business Development- Integration within the UNย ย ย Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. Business Management- Communicationย ย ย ย ย ย 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.ย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. Business Management- Monitoring & Evaluationย ย ย ย ย Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programs, 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 program management and results.ย Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programs 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 an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. 2030 Agenda: Planet- Inclusive Growthย - Social Protection 2030 Agenda: Planet- Inclusive Growthย ย - Digital economyRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Masterโs ย degree or equivalent) in the field of Finance, Economics, Business Management, Management, Public Policy, Development Economics or a closely related field is required or A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in combination with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Masterโs degreeExperience:
Minimum 2 years (with Masterโs degree) or 4 years (with Bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in economics and/or project management in the sphere of economic development / finance / social development/public finance management/SME development.Required skills:
Progressing Experience in demonstrable project/programme management/development organization.ยDesired skills:
Proven/previous experience in project coordination, M&E, financial management, and policy research will be an asset/advantage. Sound understanding of the countryโs development priorities and challenges, national SDGs, green transition strategies and policies, public finance management system, etc. will be an asset/advantage. Proven/previous experience in developing analytical and research papers, concept notes and feasibility studies on economic, financial, banking, and other relevant topics will be an asset/advantage. Proven/previous experience in collaboration with government, partners, and the private sector, combined with a strong understanding of financial and capital markets, including innovative financing instruments such as thematic bonds, blended finance, and Islamic finance will be an asset/advantage. 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 will be an asset/advantage. Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming in the area of project/programme management will be an asset/advantage. Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search will be an asset/advantage. Strong analytical, writing, presentation and communication skills will be an asset/advantage.ย Prior experience with UNDP projects will be an asset/advantage.ย ยLanguages:
Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. Good command of Russian 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
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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