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• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

UNDP supports the Government of the Republic of Moldova in strengthening institutional resilience, advancing digital transformation, and embedding data-driven and anticipatory decision-making across governance systems. The organization works closely with national counterparts to design, implement, and monitor reforms that foster sustainable growth, improve service delivery, and align Moldova’s development trajectory with European standards and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the past years, UNDP has been a key partner in shaping Moldova’s digital transformation journey. It supported the development of the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023–2030, which introduced a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to digitalization and set an ambitious vision for modern, inclusive, and citizen-oriented public administration. UNDP also contributed to the operationalization of the national Data Governance Framework, which establishes principles for ethical, secure, and interoperable data management. These efforts are complemented by Moldova’s progress in expanding electronic communications and participation in the EU Digital Identity Wallet pilot initiative, further aligning national standards with European frameworks.

UNDP’s digital and data portfolio demonstrates how innovation can enhance governance effectiveness and public service delivery. Key initiatives include AIS eSocial and the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund (EVRF) in the social protection sector, the digital National Farmers Registry (dNFR) and the IACS roadmap in agriculture, and digital identity tools such as EVO, MWallet, and MobiSign. Together, these systems illustrate how digital solutions can make governance more transparent, efficient, and accessible for citizens and businesses alike.

Building on these achievements, UNDP supported the establishment of the Data Intelligence Unit (DIU) – formerly the Intelligence Unit for Policy Development – within the Prime Minister’s Office. The DIU serves as a central analytical and decision-support mechanism that integrates data analytics, forecasting, and evidence into policymaking and reform monitoring. It has delivered analytical products in areas such as public procurement transparency, fiscal efficiency, and social service optimization. For instance, its assessment of procurement data from 2021–2024 revealed limited competition and frequent single-bidder contracts, helping to inform targeted reforms. Looking ahead, the DIU will continue to focus on data intelligence in strategic areas such as EU accession monitoring, energy vulnerability, road infrastructure, and food security, while supporting the development of analytical capacities and data literacy across public institutions.

The European Union’s €1.9 billion Growth Plan for Moldova (2025–2027) represents a major opportunity to accelerate economic development, strengthen Moldova’s EU integration, and catalyze public and private investment. The accompanying Reform Agenda defines actions across economic competitiveness, digital infrastructure, governance, social capital, green transition, and energy – areas directly aligned with UNDP’s programmatic focus. UNDP works with national authorities to facilitate the implementation of the Growth Plan by providing policy advice, analytical support, and operational delivery. This includes assistance for EU accession monitoring, technical support in energy and agriculture reforms, and capacity-building for local administrations to ensure coherent and accountable implementation.

To sustain this growing analytical and advisory role, UNDP will strengthen the Data Intelligence Unit through the recruitment of three dedicated experts: a Data Integration Specialist, a Data Analytics Specialist, and a Data Visualization Specialist. Together, these specialists will form the core analytical team of the DIU, responsible for transforming complex data into actionable insights, developing analytical workflows, and producing interactive visual tools to support evidence-based policymaking. Working under the supervision of the UNDP Policy Specialist and in coordination with the Strategic Support Unit, they will ensure that data analysis informs decision-making across key reform areas, including the EU–Moldova Growth Plan and the broader digital transformation agenda.

Through this strengthened setup, the DIU will function as a shared analytical service for UNDP Moldova and its government counterparts, fostering an institutional culture of data-driven and anticipatory governance. This will enable policies and reforms to be more responsive, inclusive, and informed by timely and reliable evidence.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Data Analytics Specialist will operate as a core member of the Data Intelligence Unit within UNDP Moldova’s Country Office, working under the supervision of the UNDP Moldova Policy Specialist.

The Unit functions as a shared analytical and data intelligence service within the Country Office, supporting evidence-based, anticipatory, and data-driven programming across projects and thematic portfolios.

The Data Analytics Specialist will focus on designing and coordinating analytical frameworks that strengthen the Unit’s capacity to transform data into actionable evidence. The role involves applying quantitative and comparative methods to assess development trends, supporting the interpretation of complex datasets, and ensuring analytical outputs are reliable, consistent, and policy-relevant. The Specialist will coordinate analytical workflows across assignments, oversee data validation processes, and maintain methodological quality and coherence within the Unit’s work.

The Specialist will collaborate closely with colleagues from the Strategic Support Unit to ensure coherence and complementarity across the portfolio, particularly with teams focusing on development results, partnerships, monitoring and data, and digital innovation.

As part of the Data Intelligence Unit, the Specialist will engage in activity-based deployments, providing short-term analytical and visualization support to UNDP projects and programmes in line with emerging priorities and the Country Office’s annual work plan.

To deliver on this role, the Specialist will be responsible for the following key functions:

Apply analytical modelling and foresight to identify socio-economic trends, emerging risks, and policy implications that inform evidence-based decision-making.

• Conduct socio-economic and sectoral analyses using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Apply foresight and scenario-based approaches to anticipate development trajectories and their potential implications.
• Synthesize analytical findings into actionable insights that inform planning, prioritization, and programme design.
• Support the development and refinement of analytical tools and methodologies that enhance the Unit’s capacity for evidence-based assessment.

Strengthen coordination and quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability, comparability, and consistency of analytical data across projects and thematic areas.

• Coordinate the collection, verification, and validation of statistical and administrative data from institutional and external sources.
• Ensure that datasets are structured, documented, and managed in line with UNDP’s data governance and ethical standards.
• Promote standardized data formats and shared methodologies to facilitate interoperability and compatibility.
• Maintain and update analytical datasets and documentation, ensuring traceability and quality control for institutional use.

Facilitate the integration and dissemination of analytical knowledge to strengthen data-driven programming and internal learning across UNDP Moldova.

• Translate analytical outputs into concise briefs, dashboards, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support cross-team learning and exchange on data intelligence methodologies and tools.
• Align analytical work with institutional monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes.
• Contribute to the development of internal knowledge products and data-driven communication materials.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Data Analytics Specialist will work under the supervision of the Policy Specialist, and will ensure the provision of strategic policy support and evidence-based advisory services to key government counterparts.

For an effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving project-related issues and information delivery, he/she also will collaborate with the Data Intelligence Uni team, the UNDP Moldova digital team (e.g. Digital Integration Analyst and Digital Development Specialist), other UNDP projects, line Ministries and other national stakeholders.

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross Functional and technical competencies:

Business Management

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.

• Results based management
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programs, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

• Digital Awareness and Literacy
  • Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to UNDP | People for 2030 – Competency Framework – Cross-functional Competencies (2024) use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Data

• Data analysis
  • Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.

Digital

• Digital transformation design
  • Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organizations.

Business Direction & 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 groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas.
  • Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master”s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, Business Administration, or related field is required.
• Or A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience (at the national or international level) in assignments related to policy design, institutional development, and reform of public sector services.

Required skills:

• Knowledge and experience in thematic areas relevant to the project (e.g. data research, digital transformation, institutional development, etc.).
• Proven experience in coordinating complex projects across government, development partners, and technical teams.
• Experience in supporting institutional adoption of new systems, tools, or processes within government contexts.
• Experience in institutional knowledge integration, training delivery, and capacity building (e.g. academic or professional teaching roles).

Desired skills :

• Experience in working on interventions/projects in the ICT, smart technologies areas, and/or enhancement of public services is an asset.
• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations is an asset.
• Experience in conducting socio-economic and sectoral analyses using quantitative and qualitative methods is an asset.
• Relevant certification in areas such as project management, quality management systems, or public administration is considered an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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