In rural Tajikistan, a significant portion of households and farms maintain livestock, with each typically owning 1-2 cows, 3-4 sheep, and 5-10 hens. Consequently, nearly every household and dehkan farm has access to animal manure. Prevalent practice in Tajikistan involves drying the animal manure to prepare “kizyak,” a form of dung, for later use as a source of energy for cooking and heating homes. This custom has roots in the frequent electricity cuts experienced in rural areas throughout autumn, winter, and spring, coupled with the high cost of liquefied gas. Burning dung as a household fuel is a widespread practice in rural areas globally. While it serves as a readily available energy source for cooking and heating, it also presents significant health hazards for women and girls who are responsible for food preparation as well as for drying animal manure and preparing the “kizyak” as part of their traditional role. The combustion of dung emits smoke and particulate matter, contributing to indoor and outdoor air pollution, and using manure as fuel instead of transforming it into organic fertilizer prevents soil enrichment, crucial for Tajikistan’s food security. Tajikistan heavily relies on agriculture, and diverting manure from soil amendment reduces soil fertility, affecting crop yields and livelihoods. Finding alternatives for sustainable energy and soil amendment is vital for both soil health and rural women’s wellbeing.

Thus, UNDP Tajikistan is launched Empowering Rural Women through access to renewable energy via biodigesters Development Project (hereafter “Biogas project”), which is financed by UNDP Tajikistan. The main partner of the Biogas project is the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). The objective of the Biogas project is to facilitate the transformation of Tajikistan’s energy sector, in particular transitioning from simply burning manure to utilizing biodigesters offers Tajik households and farms the opportunity to produce biogas and biofertilizers. This shift not only ensures a sustainable energy source for cooking and heating homes without compromising their health but also provides additional bio-fertilizers to enhance soil fertility. Importantly, this transition can liberate young women from the time-consuming task of drying manure and preparing “kizyak,” granting them newfound free time. With this extra time, they can pursue skill development and engage in higher-value activities, contributing to their personal growth and potentially opening up new economic opportunities for themselves and their communities.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist on Climate Change, Energy and Environment Cluster and overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Project Analyst will be responsible for the overall project coordination and liaison with the national partners and provide technical and programmatic support within the project framework ensuring high quality and accuracy of work.

The Project Analyst will collaborate closely with all national and international consultants, as well as the selected NGO, state partners and the UNDP Country Office team, to ensure timely delivery of results with the highest standards in accordance with UNDP guidelines and procedures.

The duties and responsibilities of the Project Analyst  will include:

 Ensure effective technical support to the project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• General coordination and liaison of project activities with the national counterparts.
• Facilitate the process of reviewing and identifying criteria for selecting households to participate in the pilot program.
• Review the developed Training of Trainers manual for master pools on biodigesters and provide timely feedback to enhance its content.
• Review the communication materials developed by the NGO/consultants and obtain approval from relevant UNDP CO management, including the Communication Officer prior wider dissemination within key stakeholders.
• Review analytical reports from experts on cost-benefit analysis, legislative frameworks, and carbon credit markets and provide timely feedback to enhance its content. Coordinate synergies between outcomes and enhance complementarity where feasible.
• Oversee the overall management of the project, ensuring timely and proper execution of all activities by consultants and NGO.
• Coordinate the project activities among stakeholders, including but not limited to the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and NGOs.
• To fulfill activities under the Project’s work plan which is not covered by the consultants.
• Facilitate the development of a concept for holding a national workshop for relevant national and regional government entities, private sector, NGOs and development partners to showcase the findings of this project.
• To draft the project’s final report using the UNDP template upon the completion of the project’s activities.
• Facilitate the preparation of full project document and funding proposals.
• Upon request of the Programme Specialist to participate and make presentations in conferences, working meetings, round-table discussions, etc. on biogas project.

 Ensure effective operational and programmatic support to the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Implement the recruitment process of hiring national and international consultants for implementation of key tasks and achieving set deliverables and results.
• Support with implementation of awareness raising campaign by working closely with the local NGO and other stakeholders, ensure in time submission of work by the partner.
• Facilitate in-country mission visits and exchange visits, including assistance in preparation of mission agenda, setting up/confirming meetings with relevant project partners.
• Take notes/minutes at meetings and ensure follow up.
• Support in planning and follow-up of project knowledge management and awareness raising activities.
• Provide regular progress reports and recommendations for improving the project activities.
• Collect and analyze data from various resources including monitoring visits to the pilot sites.
• Provide assistance and support to Project Specialist in preparation of project briefs, presentations, and reports within CCEE cluster.
• Ensure effective dissemination of, and access to information on project activities and results and supporting the project outreach and PR activities in general.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s):

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Analyst will report to the Programme Specialist on Climate Change, Energy and Environment Cluster of the UNDP Tajikistan.

• 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 and Technical competencies:

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements