Programme Analyst (Environment and Energy) at UNDP

Background

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UNDP Zambia is strategically repositioning its country programme implementation based on emerging opportunities and UNDP’s comparative advantages that maximizes partnerships, resource mobilization and impact in keeping with UNDP’s mandate as it embarks on the development of its next programme cycle to contribute to the UN support the Government of Zambia through the formulation of the first ever UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as part of the UN Development System (UNDS) Reform and the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP).

In addition, the review of the current UNDP programme portfolio also showed a pressing need to recalibrate the programme implementation in Zambia through a more integrated vision aligned with the current CPD, the six (06) signature solutions of the current Strategic Plan and the RBA’s strategic offer and where UNDP will fully play its integrator role for accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Zambia.

As the recently elected New Dawn Government together with its Cooperating Partners including UNDP Zambia move into 2022, and advance further into the Decade of Action with only 8 years left to achieve the SDGs, the world and individual countries are still grappling with COVID-19 response and socio-economic recovery. In this context, as it develops its new Country Programme Document (CPD), UNDP Zambia revisits its approach to programming and delivery to ensure constant relevance and effectiveness in supporting the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) to address key issues and most important priorities, while concurrently exploring innovative and creative ways to accelerate the achievement of the objectives set out in intertwined Agendas 2030, 2063 and the finalized 8th National Development Plan (8NDP) using a strategic approach to planning resulting in an efficient and effective delivery of the Country Programme to promote sustainable human development.

Against this backdrop and building upon the lessons learnt over the past years, UNDP Zambia is strengthening its Environment, Energy and Climate Change Unit to rollout the vision of repositioning its CO programme to ensure that UNDP delivers on its mandate effectively in Zambia.

The Environment and Energy Unit is one of three pillars of the Programme Unit along with the Governance and Gender and the Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Units. Each Unit is headed by an Programme Specialist, Head of Unit and supported by a Programme Analyst and a Programme Associate in addition to the dedicated personnel of projects under each pillar.

The Programme Analyst – Environment and Energy, reports to the Programme Specialist, Head of Unit- Environment, Energy and Climate Change and acts as the technical specialist on Environment and Energy key issues to the CO Senior Management team. S/he supports the CO efforts to ensure the achievement of the country programme results and provision of thought leadership and strategic positioning on Environment and Energy issues, including resilience, job creation and livelihood, community development, social protection, private sector engagement and cross thematic problematic on SDG acceleration, women/youth economic empowerment, economic diversification, reduction of poverty and inequality, resilience and promotion of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.

S/he deputizes for the Programme Specialist, Head of Unit – Environment, Energy and Climate Change to help drive integration of work at all levels, from overall direction setting to ideas generation, design, implementation – and further on to reporting, partnerships and communication. In exercising these roles, s/he may be asked to supervise a diverse team with various profiles and manages the deployment of additional long and short-term expertise as required.
Success in achieving results in this portfolio is reliant on robust national and international partnerships. The Programme Analyst contributes to mobilizing joint advocacy, expertise, and resources across UNDP global and regional initiatives in these fields, engaging with global and regional networks, and connecting with cooperating partners, academia, NGOs and private sector in involving them to successfully implement UNDP programmes in these fields. S/he will act as the thought-leader in her/his area of expertise in various fora including UNDP support to UN coherence and stronger UN Development System (UNDS) in Zambia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Position Purpose

1. Contribute to the strategic positioning and development of the Energy and Environment Cluster, in areas including integrated planning for Energy and Environment at all levels of the society in particular rural and peri-urban areas, local development, support to job creation and economic diversification, women/youth economic empowerment, resilience and promotion of Energy and Environment as well as initiative to reduce inequalities and address poverty challenges and the development of multi-sectoral partnerships;
2. Support the effective management and implementation oversight of Energy and Environment programmes and initiatives, focusing on quality assurance through the full programme cycle from design, to implementation, monitoring and reporting;
3. Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization under the leadership of the Programme Specialist, Head of Unit – Environment, Energy and Climate Change in cooperation with the Senior Management and UN Result Groups;
4. Ensure provision of strategic results management and facilitation of knowledge management and sharing.

1. Contribute to the strategic positioning and development of the Energy and Environment Cluster, in areas including integrated planning for Energy and Environment at all levels of the society in particular rural and peri-urban areas, local development, support to job creation and economic diversification, women/youth economic empowerment, resilience and promotion of Energy and Environment as well as initiative to reduce inequalities and address poverty challenges and the development of multi-sectoral partnerships;

• Conduct thorough analysis in the area of expertise of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of Common Country Analysis (CCA), UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Country Programme Document (CPD), project concept notes and proposals, Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and other documents;
• Ensure alignment and contribution to the CPD of newly designed and ongoing sustainable programmes and projects in collaboration with the main partners and other UN sister Agencies;
• Identify opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies;
• Operationalization of UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies and identification of possibilities for joint programming;
• Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies in the focus areas and their implementation;
• Identify, in close collaboration with national and international partners, strategic programme areas of cooperation;
• Design and formulate components of the cluster portfolio translating programme priorities into local interventions and ensuring coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders and programme partners;
• Collaborate with colleagues in Regional Hubs and platforms and HQ to apply in country programming new global and regional initiatives, policies and knowledge products that further the Cluster;
• CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Programme Unit.

2. Support the effective management and implementation oversight of Energy and Environment programmes and initiatives, focusing on quality assurance through the full programme cycle from design, to implementation, monitoring and reporting;

• Design and formulation of CO programme and portfolio projects within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions including the coordination of programme implementation with the implementing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones;
• Support project cycle management including Initiation of a project, presentation of the Project to Project Appraisal Committee, entering project into Quantum, finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. PA performs functions of Manager Level 1 in Quantum for Purchase Orders and Vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects;
• Financial and substantive progress and result monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of remedial solutions. Participation in and follow-up audit of NEX projects;
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results;
• Design and formulation of UNDP Energy, Environment & SDG acceleration programmes/projects within the areas of responsibility, translating UN/UNDP priorities and SDG analysis into local interventions;
• Coordination of programme development and implementation with the implementing partners and donor entities;
• Strategic and technical oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources as per commitments with key partners and in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Effective monitoring of results captures and measuring the impact of poverty reduction/Energy, Environment &SDG acceleration programmes, including facilitation of necessary evaluation. Results of monitoring and evaluation used to draw crucial lessons and constructive learning for timely readjustment of programme;
• Follow up on evaluation and audit recommendations. All exceptions reported in time;
• Organization of cost-recovery system, including Direct Project Costing (DPC), for the services provided by the CO to projects under the Energy and Environment Cluster, and in close collaboration with Operations Manager;
• Aggregate reports prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of timely donor reports, public communication and advocacy materials as needed;
• Preparation of regular strategic and technical notes, briefings to the attention of the Senior Management;
• Support the Programme Specialist, Head of Unit – Environment, Energy and Climate Change to provide guidance and continuous support, quality assurance, troubleshooting and supervision to the unit team.

3. Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization under the leadership of the Programme Specialist, Head of Unit – Environment, Energy and Climate Change in cooperation with the Senior Management and UN Result Groups;

• Develop and consolidate strategic partnerships, with government, non-government and private sector entities, Development Partners for joint work and resources mobilization to achieve programme outcomes;
• Determine and develop programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and Development Partners’ priorities;
• Initiate, nurture and coordinate partnerships with UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society for programme support and implementation;
• Prepare substantive briefs, advocacy materials and technical reports as needed, to report on the areas of cooperation, and for identifying further opportunities for cost-sharing;
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization;
• Represent UNDP, when asked by supervisor and/or Senior Management, on the UN Joint Team Task Forces, and contribute to joint planning, programme and policy development, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and advocacy activity including the support to the coordination of the Results Group of the UNSDCF, ensuring quality of activities throughout the programme’s life cycle;
• Identify and implement collaborative working arrangements in areas of coverage to facilitate Delivering as One with the other UN agencies.

4. Ensure provision of strategic results management and facilitation of knowledge management and sharing;

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues; synthesis of good practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme and policy applications;
• Ensuring a robust evidence base, with research and analysis carried out, where possible, together with others;
• Coordination of capacity development support to national and local institutions in collaboration with the Government and relevant partners;
• Development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the government and other strategic partners;
• Drafting and advocacy of UN/UNDP policy positions on topics of relevance;
• Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linking to regional and global networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns implemented with key partners;
• Contributions to local and global knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Capture and analyze results, and produce timely results reports for office reporting, with special focus on tracking capacity change and gender equality impact;
• Communicate results through the use of multi-media channels to share results;
• Organize learning and training relating to the Cluster’s area of expertise for the staff of the CO and implementing partners.

Competencies

Core competencies

• Achieve Results: 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 Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: 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: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build and/or /maintain coalitions/partnership.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction and Strategy – Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity;
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Business Management

• Partnerships Management : Ability to 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 – Communication

• Ability to 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.

Partnership management

• Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

2030 Agenda: Planet – Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery

• Disaster and Climate Risk Governance
• Disaster Recovery Policy, Planning and Programming
• Gender Responsive Disaster Risk Management and Reduction
• Disaster Risk Reduction

2030 Agenda: People: Gender

• Gender analysis and issues
• Gender mainstreaming
• Gender and institutional development

22030 Agenda: Planet – Nature, Climate and Energy

• Climate Change Adaptation: livelihoods
• Climate Change Adaptation: Public and private finance for adaptation solutions
• Climate Change Adaptation: strategies
• Climate Change Policies: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
• Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management
• Energy: Renewable Energy
• Energy: Energy access
• Environment: Poverty-Environment Nexus
• Environment: Environmental and social impact assessments and safeguards
• Extractive industries

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Environmental Management, Natural Resources Management, Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences or related fields.

Experience: