Programme Analyst - Quality Programming (Home-Based)

Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the United Nations Development System (UNDS) and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQs, regional bureaus/hubs and country offices forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. 

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has corporate responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Together with the Crisis Bureau, BPPS forms the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of global experts and practitioners providing timely development advice, delivering support to Country Offices and programme countries in a coherent manner to connect countries to the world of knowledge, resources and networks of best practice they need to achieve development breakthroughs.

The Quality Programming in BPPS focuses on assisting UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  It seeks to do so by enabling UNDP and others to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven by identifying, testing, learning, sharing and institutionalizing what works, including through effective development cooperation, and higher quality UNDP programming.  It acts as a hub on all aspects of results-based management and development performance monitoring and analysis as well as a hub that identifies, collects, and share ideas on new and better ways of working across the UNDP network, social innovators, and the development community. 

The Quality Programming in BPPS aims to deepen UNDP’s and the international community’s understanding of what works and what does not work in effecting development change at country level in UNDP’s Strategic Plan programme priority areas, and how this understanding can drive knowledge creation and dissemination, innovation and scaling up, and more productive partnerships.

Reporting directly to the Team Leader of the Quality Programming Team, which sits within the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and forms part of the Global Policy Network. The Programme Analyst will collaborate closely with colleagues across the quality programming team, the Regional Bureaus and Central Bureaus, to provide integrated support and oversight for high-quality, coherent programming, portfolio and project management. 

Scope of Work 

The Analyst will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Ensure Programme Quality Assurance and Results-Based Management

• Support the review and quality assurance of Country Programme Documents (CPDs), project documents, and related submissions to ensure compliance with UNDP’s programming standards and Strategic Plan commitments.
• Contributes to the application of results-based management (RBM), risk-informed planning, and adaptive programming approaches.
• Assist in the roll-out of updated Programme and Project Management (PPM) policies, PPM and RBM guidance materials, and related tools.

Ensure Quality Compliance and Learning

• Act as a key coordination point with Policy Specialists and technical leads to produce high-quality briefing notes, talking points, presentations, and technical summaries in preparation for internal governance forums (e.g., Executive Group, Organizational Performance Group meetings), the UNDP Risk Committee, and Executive Board sessions.
• Assist the quality programming lead in ensuring effective coordination of management responses and action plans related to corporate audit and evaluation recommendations, including those concerning the PPM system, enterprise risk management, private sector due diligence, and ERP implementation.
• Coordinate the planning and delivery of capacity-building initiatives—such as webinars, clinics, and community-of-practice meetings—in close collaboration with Regional Bureaux, Central Bureaux, Hubs, and Country Offices.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of learning agendas that foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and results orientation.
• Collect and analyze user feedback to inform iterative improvements to systems, procedures, and tools.

Ensure Policy Compliance and Knowledge management 

• Support the review and analysis of inputs to key policy documents, procedures, and corporate guidance, ensuring alignment with programming principles and audit/evaluation recommendations.
• Conduct targeted research, analyze data, and prepare high-quality briefing materials and summaries for senior management and governance bodies.
• Maintain on SharePoint FAQs, journey maps and procedures around the CPD approval, PPM and RBM considerations 
• Maintain and update corporate records related to CPDs, Programme extensions, and quality assurance processes, including dashboards, internal repositories, and intranet content.
• Monitor and track CPD quality assurance scores and facilitate timely updates of related systems and communications tools.
• Support the preparation and follow-up for Executive Board sessions, inter-bureau meetings, and quality assurance reviews.
• Contribute to other initiatives as required to support the evolving priorities of the Quality Programming Team and UNDP’s broader effectiveness agenda.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for theefficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Supporting several different risk management related work across the BPPS/Quality programming Team, this role reports to the Team Leader of the quality Programming team, collaborates closely with the rest of the Quality Programming Team. 

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results:                                  LEVEL 1: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
• Think Innovatively:                               LEVEL 1: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously:                             LEVEL 1: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility:                                 LEVEL 1: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination:                         LEVEL 1: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner:                             LEVEL 1: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:             LEVEL 1: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross Functional Competencies

2030 Agenda Engagement and Effectiveness

• Effectiveness:  Achieves results with integrity and accountability. Capacity Building, lessons learning and Corporate Data. Effective coordination and stakeholder engagement skills. Audit and Evaluation 

 Business Direction and Strategy 

• 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

Digital & Innovation

• Digital learning & Development: Knowledge of digital learning methods and ability to design and develop digital learning programmes.
• Data Analysis: Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision-making. Strong analytical, research, and drafting skills.

Business Management

• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.

Minimum Qualifications 

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Policy, Public Policy, Politics, Economics, Development Studies, or related field is required. Or.
• First-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the above-mentioned fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of a master’s degree. 

Min. years of relevant Work experience 

• Minimum of 2 years (with a master's degree) or 4 years (with a bachelor's degree) of progressive experience in policy or program management at international or academics institutions 

Required skills and competencies

• Proven experience in programme and/or project quality assurance, ensuring adherence to standards and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability in change management, including fostering the adoption of new initiatives requiring the buy-in of diverse stakeholders across organizational levels.
• Proven experience in developing practical guidance, training materials, communication content, and digital tools to support policy implementation and learning.
• Experienced in designing and facilitating training sessions, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners to strengthen institutional knowledge and operational effectiveness.
• Strong track record in managing complex projects and international partnerships, with a focus on timely delivery, quality outputs, and stakeholder coordination.        

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Previous experience working with international, multi-stakeholder processes and initiatives, demonstrating strong coordination and diplomacy skills.
• Familiarity with UN and UNDP programming frameworks, policies, and procedures
• Proficient in creating and delivering webinars and online learning modules tailored to diverse audiences.
• Adept at synthesizing data, preparing concise reports and briefings, and offering actionable insights to inform strategic decision-making and risk management

Required Language(s) (at working level) 

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Working level in written and spoken in French is highly desired
• Working knowledge of one other official UN language would be an asset.

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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