Project Analyst

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in four focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

Kazakhstan, as well as other post-Soviet countries, inherited a police model focused more on the traditional reactive-punitive approach prioritizing public order rather than the proactive-preventive approach that prioritizes citizens protections from crime, violence and fear of crime, which was one of the most serious problems of the system for post-soviet governments. 

As part of the comprehensive package of reforms in justice and law-enforcement sector, the government is seeking to embrace inclusive and participatory democratic models, the generalization of the rule of law and human rights principles in their entire breadth that are complemented by a sustainable development model of policing. 

The World Bank’s “Doing Business” reports and the “World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development” have consistently and clearly demonstrated how relevant is the performance quality of the Law Enforcement agencies, and the citizen oversight over the Police’ services not only for the good governance but also for a sustainable and viable socio-economic development of any country, especially for their most vulnerable and at-risk population: youth, women and minorities. 

The interlink between citizen security and sustainable development has been also debated under the notion of human security, which encompasses freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity. By putting the security and prosperity of human beings at the centre, human security addresses wide range of threats, both from poverty and from violence, and their interactions. Building on the Commission on Human Security 2003 report, the importance of human security has been recognized in the UN General Assembly 2005 resolution adopted at the 2005 World Summit, the UN General Assembly 2009 report, and UN General Assembly 2010 Resolution, as well as in other fora such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, G8, and World Economic Forum.

Following the democratic socio-economic crisis and protests (2022), the leadership of Kazakhstan declared commitment to developing a new comprehensive reform agenda aimed at the rule of law, protection of human rights, fight against corruption, and a responsive people-centered law-enforcement system. 

Despite the positive impact of ongoing police transformation on general crime rates, Kazakhstan, similar to other countries, faces challenges with such crimes as violence against women and children, synthetic drug distribution, cybercrimes, and financial fraud.

To accelerate and move forwards in its transformation process and creation of people-oriented police in Kazakhstan working with the human rights-based approach, the MIA developed the Concept of Public Safety for 2024-2028 that includes application of best practices related to introduction of new performance assessment system, revision and streamlining of the existing business processes, citizens’ engagement in assessing effectiveness of police services. 

To support implementation of the Concept and the process of police modernization in Kazakhstan the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) initiated a project that will be delivered by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MIA).

Duties and Responsibilities

Providing analytical and expert support to the project

-    Provide technical support to implementation of rule of law and human rights activities including the work with the National Human Rights Center;
-    Provide analytical support and expertise in the area of police performance and crime prevention issues;
-    contribute expert knowledge in developing Terms of Reference for project consultants and potential service providers and ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports;
-    Lead the relevant research activities and elaboration of joint knowledge products at the national level;
-    Contribute to the preparation of the project implementation and progress reports;
-    Participate in coordination of Technical Working Groups, Steering Committees and other necessary meetings;

Facilitate Capacity Development and stakeholder engagement

-    Closely cooperate with project stakeholders, including counterparts, the National Human Rights Center, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Police Academies and other relevant parties involved in projects activities;
-    Analyze existing relevant policies, monitor updates on the country’s rule of law policy developments and provide relevant advisory support;
-    Design and conduct capacity-building activities related to human rights mechanisms, police performance and crime prevention, enabling stakeholders to understand and contribute to effective planning;
-    Contribute to regular communication and coordination with all project stakeholders, development and maintenance of effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insights;
-    Contribute to organizing trainings, workshops, drafting relevant documents and talking points, 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;
-    Perform other duties as required within the scope of work of this assignment.

Facilitate 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 UNDP’s 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.

Competencies

Core: 

Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies :

Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s 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.

System Thinking: 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 system

Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations.

Communication: 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. Ability to manage communication internally and externally through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Rule of Law, Justice and Security, Security Sector /Police reform

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Public Administration, or related fields is required, or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
 

Experience:

Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in a similar role in the field of rule of law and human rights.
 

Desired skills: 

•     Experience in working with Government bodies (including Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor General’s Office or other law-enforcement agencies) is desired.
•     Experience in development and/or application of performance assessment methodologies is desired.
•     Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is desired. 
•     Experience in analysis of complex issues including crime prevention, design and implementation of plans, terms of reference and analytical reports is desired.
•     Proven communication and advocacy experience in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders is desired.
•     Event organisation experience is desired.
•     Relevant experience working with UN or other international organizations is an asset.
 

Required Languages: Fluency in Russian and/or Kazakh is required. Working knowledge of English is desired. 

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.

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.