Background

The Merged Areas Governance Programme (MAGP) is a comprehensive governance initiative that focuses on technical assistance and implementation support to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP) in the integration of the Merged Areas (MAs) (ex-FATA) in three main areas: (1) accelerated development with an emphasis on the delivery of basic services; (2) border governance and connectivity; and (3) support to local governance. Under its new project document 2023-2027 MAGP has mobilized additional resources with ambitious delivery targets. To accelerate delivery in order to fulfill its commitments to the GoKP and key development partners, MAGP is exploring innovative systemic solutions and new operational modalities to support the implementation of the expanded programme activities, aligning the entire range of Programme work and operations into delivery-based assignments, under an efficient and result-oriented programme structure.

Against this background, MAGP is looking for Project Analysts  who will support the MAGP Team in managing the day-to-day Programme implementation. The Project Analyst will assist in the design and implementation of project activities, while ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. The Project Analyst will demonstrate a client-oriented approach, tact, and ability to work with people of different cultural backgrounds. S/he will  work in close collaboration with other project colleagues of the MAGP Team, as well as with other UNDP Pakistan CO units, government officials, technical advisors and experts, donors and civil society to successfully implement the activities.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the MAGP Programme Manager/Team Lead, the Project Analyst will be tasked to deliver distinct outputs of the programme, complete specified deliverables, and submit monthly and quarterly reports on the assigned tasks through a process of quality assurance and approval laid down by the Programme Manager, to ensure quality implementation from activity design to budgeting, monitoring, and organizing events.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Analyst will be directly responsible for successfully completing the below set of tasks within allotted, agreed-upon time frames:

Ensures administration and implementation of Programme activities:

• Works with the MAGP Team in the identification, preparation, implementation, review and adjustments in the overall Programme  implementation strategies.
• Develops assigned sections of Annual Work and Financial Plans, Monitoring and Evaluation Plans, and Communications Plans.
• Participates in the analysis and summarizing of proposals on the assigned thematic areas.
• Ensures oversight of Programme  activities in the field and produces monthly implementation progress reports with specific attention to the assigned priority areas.
• Supports preparation of various reports.
• Carries out implementation of assigned tasks and activities and submits specific deliverables assigned by the Programme Manager on a quarterly basis

Provides effective support and contributes to the efficient management of the Programme:

• Contributes in  preparation of programme  document drafts,  work plans, budgets, low-value agreements, proposals on implementing arrangements.
• Contributes in preparation of required budget revisions.
• Participation in Local Project Appraisal Committee (LCAP) and Contracts, Assets and Procurement Committee (CAP).
• Supports  tracking of financial resources; follow-up on performance indicators / success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports in close cooperation with MAGP Monitoring Evaluation Reporting and Learning (MERL) Manager .
• Prepares quarterly progress reports with analysis of financial implications and impact on Programme delivery targets

Manages the provision of administrative support to the programme:

• Provide guidance in the elaboration of proper control of the supporting documents for payments, initial review of financial reports.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system, which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed.
• Management of  logistical /travel  support for events, workshops , trainings, etc.

In close cooperation with MAGP MERL Manager , ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization and facilitation of trainings for the programme / project personnel and project counterparts.
• Synthesis of Lessons Learnt and Best Practices from the Project’s implementation.
•  Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent of the position will uphold the non-discriminatory behavior and ensure that:

• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
• Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
• Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings, etc.

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

Competencies

Core 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 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

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• 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
• 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
• Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Ethics

• UN policy knowledge – ethics: Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff  Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, including International Development, Community Development, Project Management, Peace and Conflict Studies or other related fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (Bachelor´s degree) of professional work experience in development sector, project management and communications/advocacy/reporting.
• Proven experience of effective partnership development with national counterparts, development partners and civil society is required
• Proven experience with project management and project implementation is required.
• Proficiency in standard software applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc. is required
• Proven analytical and writing skills are required.
• Relevant work experience in sustainable area development policy and programming, community peacebuilding and development at the level of communities is an advantage.
• Previous experience in International Organizations, OR UN Agencies,  OR UNDP is an advantage, especially knowledge about Business Processes.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Urdu is required. Fluency in Pashtu will be an advantage