The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.

During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices. Additionally, the JPO will undergo a journey of exposure and growth which will build both personal and professional capacity for a career within the multilateral development sector.

As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.

The JPO will work as part of a team and be supervised by an experienced UNDP staff member, including :
•     Structured guidance and feedback, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing of responsibilities
•     Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
•     Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
•     Completion of the yearly UNDP Annual Performance Review (APR) including learning and development objectives

The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:
•     Participation in a Hybrid Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
•     Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
•     On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
•     Career development support mechanisms and activities
•     Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
•     Mentoring programme
•     Other training and learning opportunities

Organisational context

UNDP has been active in Georgia since 1993, with a goal to accelerate the transition to sustainable development, ensuring that the most vulnerable and excluded are not left behind. The overall objective of UNDP’s work in Georgia under Environment and Energy and Economic Development Portfolios aims to contribute towards progress in achieving that the people of Georgia, in particular the most vulnerable, benefit from enhanced environmental governance, sustainable management of natural resources, and climate and disaster resilient development. In Georgia, UNDP is the leading development partner in the area of environment protection and climate change, well-positioned to provide sector-relevant knowledge, policy advice, and innovative solutions, as well as private sector engagement. In doing so, UNDP contributes to strengthening institutional capacities of relevant central and local public institutions for an enhanced environment, climate change governance, improving policy and legal frameworks to create a sound enabling environment facilitating sector-related reforms, promote awareness and education among the key institutions and stakeholders, demonstrate and put in place on-the-ground solutions addressing the most pressing environment, climate change, energy, disaster risk reduction and other issues. UNDP also contributes to establishing the necessary enabling conditions to pursue the required transformational changes in line with the EU Green Deal and to advancing the overall green transformation of Georgia. The later has become even more relevant since Georgia was granted the EU candidate country status in December 2023 that would require alignment with EU directives and meeting other international obligations, such as Paris agreement and NDCs. The need to diversify its green transition portfolio, move beyond non-renewables and facilitate energy efficient practices are now key priorities for the country.

UNDP Georgia is looking to strengthen its capacities to support expansion of its green transition agenda through design and development of new initiatives to support green transformation, assist in resource mobilization and overall oversight functions. The Programme Analyst will work under supervision of the Team Leader, Energy &Environment Portfolio and in close collaboration with the relevant staff of the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Georgia (EE and ED portfolio and other relevant staff). At the same time, she/he will assist UNDP CO in further positioning UNDP in the green development and energy/climate change areas, taking into consideration  Georgia’s obligations towards EU Association Agenda, membership of Energy Community and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The work includes cross -portfolio works for green development. She/he will be expected to cooperate and coordinate the assigned activities with UNDP’s key partners and beneficiaries, donors and international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
Position Purpose

Position’s key objective is to strengthen the UNDP CO positioning and representation in the green development area, assist in the design and development of new green initiatives and related resource mobilization, assist in the strategic management, guidance and oversight of related projects, and knowledge management.

Impact of Results

As results of this support UNDP CO shall be able to have a more strategic positioning in the green development and energy/climate change areas among the development partners acting in Georgia. In addition, the CO capacities would be strengthened in the area of green development. The ultimate result to be achieved would be expansion of the environment, energy and economic development portfolios within UNDP CO.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

1.) Strengthen the UNDP CO positioning and representation in the green development area
Example of Duties:

• Conduct research, analysis and mapping of donors and actors in the green development area
• Support the formulation of the green transition project ideas and development project proposals;
• Suggest green transition related entry points/ feasible project ideas that will contribute to expansion of the UNDP Energy, Environment and Economic Development portfolios,  considering the comparative advantage of UNDP in Georgia
• Provide substantive inputs for advocating  UNDP’s involvement in the green transition area and delivering those in various national fora, including Government, academia and civil society, with a view to enhance UNDP’s visibility in supporting the green transition.
• Support UNDP’s engagement in UN interagency coordination in UNSDCF relevant Results Groups by drafting briefing notes, preparing presentations, providing inputs for work plans and annual reports
• Support relationship building and strengthening of strategic partnerships with relevant donors and stakeholders involved in national environment and energy field (e.g. IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society, etc.) through proactive communications, dialogue and information sharing

2.) Strategic management, guidance and oversight of related projects in Environment and Energy (EE) and Economic Development (ED) Portfolio
Example of Duties:

• Provide technical guidance and implementation support to projects in green development, energy efficiency and climate mitigation areas.
• Support the delivery of technical advice to other CO projects covering the sustainable energy, energy efficiency, climate mitigation or other related areas, including through the provision of capacity building support to project teams;
• Assist in preparation of briefing notes and speeches for UNDP CO senior management;
• Analysis of management and implementation oversight processes for greater effectiveness and efficiency of green projects, as well as their timely delivery.
• Provide temporary backstopping support to relevant EE & ED projects (budget delivery, RBM monitoring, corporate reporting, etc)

3.) Knowledge management
Example of Duties:

• Share knowledge with relevant UNDP networks and teams;
• Support in the codifying the cumulated knowledge;
• Actively learn and benefit from the existing and emerging learning opportunities inside UNDP;
• Support ED and EE portfolios in developing knowledge products, case studies and lessons learned papers for collecting evidence and knowledge sharing

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core

• 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/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-functional and Technical competencies

With a MA Degree – a minimum of two years relevant and paid experience – maximum 4 years.
With a BA Degree  – a minimum of four years relevant and paid experience – maximum 6 years.

• The experience should be in a relevant field at the national or international level in policy-level analysis and design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, in the general field of environment protections, climate change, sustainable energy, transport, climate change and/or sustainable development.
• Experience in programme and results based management; hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, particularly in the energy, climate related or environment areas.
• Experience within an international organization, preferably within the UN system, would be an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in spoken and written English (required)
• Knowledge of other UN languages is always an asset

Nationality of the Candidate

Under the JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of Denmark. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc

• A brief motivation letter in English that explains why you’re the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements
• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your Master or Bachelor’s degree