Project Analyst (Office Based)

Background

The Brazilian government, through South-South cooperation, seeks to contribute to improving sustainable development indicators in countries on the American, African and Asian continents. To this end, the Brazilian government has signed cooperation agreements that allow the sharing of technology and knowledge, experiences and good practices in public policies with a view to developing individual and institutional capabilities in partner countries.

The Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) is the responsible, within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for planning, negotiation, preparation, implementation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of South-South technical cooperation initiatives undertaken by the Brazilian Government. To fulfill its duties, and due to the intensification of its activities, ABC counts on the technical support of professionals qualified in project management developed in various areas, such as agriculture, health, social development, labor, public administration, culture, economy, transport, among others, as well as professionals with an administrative, financial and managerial profile.

The Brazilian South-South cooperation (CSS) actions seek alignment with the country's national development policies, as well as aiming to achieve sustainable development objectives - United Nations 2030 Agenda. In this context, the Brazilian CSS is focused on actions in the areas of education, health and agriculture and others, such as public financial and banking administration, medicine production, urban development, professional training. The multidimensionality of the action is sought, within the demands of the partners. The Brazilian experience is a reference for cooperating countries. The diversity of realities that Brazil presents facilitates the establishment of a dialogue close to the realities of different countries.

UNDP implements, in partnership with the Brazilian Cooperation Agency the following SSC projets: BRA/20/026, BRA/09/008, BRA/12/002, BRA13/008, BRA/18/026, BRA/17/025, e DAS/OIT.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage the project on day-to-day basis

• Articulate and follow-up, on a daily basis, with project partners and donors, to guarantee smooth implementation of project, including other UN Agencies and UNDP Country Offices;
• Ensure project meets expectations with respect to quality, budget, delivery timelines, and strategy;
• Undertake performance management of project staff, especially on Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) projects, including establishment of annual results, on-going feedback and mid-term and final assessments in line with UNDP Rules and Regulations;
• Brief and consult with the programme analyst on project progress and provide information and advice as required to contribute to the Country Office initiatives;
• Manage project budgets and ensure timely and accurate reporting; and
• Undertake project related Quantum transactions.

Conducts planning, monitoring and evaluation activities of the Project

• Elaborate project work plans;
• Ensure close monitoring of all activities of the project, monitoring the progress on agreed results framework and performance indicators and prepare inputs to programme analyst in relation to projects oversight;
• Guide development of overall monitoring and evaluation systems for the project and put mechanisms in place for proper and timely reporting to the programme analyst and the donor;
• Organize quarterly review meetings and annual project reviews by monitoring the progress of project implementation, assessing results and identifying areas of weaknesses to ensure the project achieves the planned results in accordance with relevant plans;
• Monitor and manage risks/issues facing the project; submit new risks/issues to the Programme Analyst for consideration and decision on possible actions if required;
• Support to project monitoring in Quantum (inputs provided for risks log, inputs to quality assurance exercise, etc);
• Ensure project’s procedural alignment with UNDP position, rules and regulations and mandate;
• Preparation of project progress reports and participation in tripartite meetings;
• Supports the identification and systematization of project lessons learned and good practices.

Provide technical support to projects, guaranteeing quality, efficiency and effectiveness in projects implementation.

• Provides technical and management advisory and support to partners on implementation of projects;
• Elaboration of projects related Terms of Reference;
• Participation in selection processes for Letters of Agreement signature, as well as undertake activities related to LoAs monitoring;
• Participates in consultant’s selection panels, when necessary;
• Undertakes technical analysis/approval of proposals of contracts/Terms of reference;
• Preparation of project revisions and proposals;
• Orientation and follow-up on project auditing issues;
• Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNDP projects;
• Perform other tasks, as required by the supervisor;

Support communication and knowledge building and sharing in the CO and assigned projects focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Participation in the trainings for the operations/projects staff on programme and project implementation issues;
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Manage stakeholder expectations and participate in communication activities to inform stakeholders of project progress and issues with guidance of the

Programme Analyst and Communications Units
• Identify opportunities for public communication of projects activities and results;
• Facilitate communication with other UN Agencies, multilateral organizations, bilateral donors, private and other partners of SSC projects.

The Project Analyst performs other functions within their functional profile that they deem necessary for the smooth operation of the Project.

Institutional Arrangement

The professional will work under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Program Officer, in order to ensure harmony between the technical, administrative, and operational actions of the projects under their responsibility. This is a project-funded position, with an initial duration of one year, with the possibility of renewal during the duration of the initiatives.

Competencies

Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:
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: 
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies  

Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking: 
• Develop effective strategies and prioritised 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

Business Direction & Strategy - Effective Decision Making:    
• Make decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications

Business Development - Collective Intelligence Design:    
• Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices

Business Management - Project Management:    
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management - 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 communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management - Partnerships Management:    
• Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management - 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 tolos

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness - Effectiveness:     
• Project Quality Assurance

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements
    
• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in international relations, in administration, economics, international cooperation, social sciences, political sciences, biological sciences, agricultural sciences, engineering or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying
experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience     

• Applicants with 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 project management

Required skills 
    
• Relevant experience working with government counterparts or International Organizations;
• Experience working in the field of international cooperation
• Strong leadership, management and negotiation skills/experience;
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and actively pursuing networking;
• Excellent computer skills and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills/experience;

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
    
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant, practical work experience in management or implementation of international cooperation projects, of which at least 2 years of relevant experience in programme related activities;  
• A minimum of 2 year of relevant practical work experience in management and/or implementation of South-South Cooperation Projects; 
• At least 1 year experience in dealing with UNDP’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation partners, such as bilateral donors, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, UN Agencies and UNDP Country Offices; 
• Strong technical knowledge of South-South and Triangular Cooperation and related subject is desirable;  
• Desirable experience in operating UNDP’s Quantum Platform.

Required Language(s) 
    
• Fluency in Portuguese, English and Spanish is required
• Intermediate knowledge of French is desired;  

Professional Certificates    

• N/A

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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