Overview
The Program Analyst is responsible for providing analysis of socio-economic developmental challenges within the SDIC portfolio, leading the formulation, management, and evaluation of programme and project activities, and overseeing project implementation. The role also involves providing strategic and operational leadership for the timbuktoo thematic hub.
Key Responsibilities
- Substantively contribute to formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies, especially related to the SDIC Portfolio.
- Contribute to analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country.
- Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation including, Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Programme, Value Chains Development, Local Development, Financial Inclusion, Innovation and digitalization.
- Ensure effective monitoring and analysis of the CO programme within the SDIC portfolio.
- Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas.
- Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
- Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, reflective and learning on programme impact for the SDIC portfolio.
- Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses for SDIC.
- Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including donor and corporate reports for the SDIC portfolio.
- Support to the rollout of new initiatives and programmes.
- Oversees the establishment and management of the timbuktoo Tech Hub in the country.
- Support CO management in the overall strategic direction, annual planning, and operational management of the hub.
- Ensure that all programs and operations adhere to the VIRAL Pathway and Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) framework.
- Develop the hub’s annual strategy and workplan, including financial planning, KPI targets, and partnership engagement priorities.
- Define and operationalize the hub’s value proposition toward key ecosystem stakeholders.
- Act as the hub’s main representative in national, regional, and continental innovation forums.
- Build and manage strategic partnerships with ecosystem actors.
- Oversee all hub-level data collection, validation, and integration into the timbuktoo digital platform.
- Support CO management in the establishment and functioning of the hub’s Advisory Board or Steering Committee.
- Ensure alignment of the hub’s annual strategy and programming with the host country’s national innovation strategy.
- Report strategic progress and lessons learned to the timbuktoo Central Team and Country Office.
- Lead in the development and maintenance of Development Services Agreements (DSA) pipeline and partnership opportunities.
- Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy for the SDIC.
- Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector, and civil society.
- Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including for joint programming for SDIC portfolio.
- Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts.
- Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals, and cross-sectoral coordination.
- 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 for the SDIC portfolio.
- Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks.
- Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs.
- Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation.
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms relating to the SDIC portfolio.
- Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas.
Required Experience
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in a related thematic area.
- Programmatic management with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, and oversight) is required.
- Use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
- Proven familiarity with innovation and design thinking approach is required.
- Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills is required.
- Provision of technical advisory services and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments is desired.
- Experience in private sector development, entrepreneurship promotion, small and medium enterprises development, local economic development, value chains development and project management in international development organizations and/or bilateral development agencies is desired.
Qualifications
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Economics, Development Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Social Science or related areas.
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
