Coordination and Political Affairs Analyst (Open to internal and external applicants)

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Angola leads the coordination of the United Nations development system in support of the Government of Angola’s national priorities and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Angola currently serves as the African Union’s Champion for Peace and Reconciliation, a role that has amplified the country’s leadership in mediation, dialogue facilitation, and regional peace processes such as the Luanda Process.

In this context, a dedicated Project Initiation Plan (PIP) has been developed to strengthen the implementation of Angola’s continental mandate. The PIP outlines strategic areas of engagement including: support to mediation and regional diplomacy; national peace infrastructure; and inclusive platforms that promote the participation of women. The incumbent will work closely with UNDP, and government counterparts to ensure effective implementation of the PIP, strategic alignment with UN frameworks, and timely delivery of related outputs.

The Joint UNDP–DPPA Program on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention supports the United Nations system and national partners in advancing integrated approaches to sustaining peace. By strengthening the link between political engagement and development programming, the Program promotes risk-informed, prevention-oriented approaches that contribute to social cohesion, institutional resilience, and long-term stability. In Angola, these efforts were previously supported through a Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) and National Officer, who worked with the Resident Coordinator, the UN Country Team and the wider UN system to strengthen conflict analysis, inform program design, and facilitate dialogue and partnerships for prevention and sustaining peace. Building on this work, the Coordination and Political Affairs Analyst will provide technical support, coordination and policy support to the RCO. S/he will also contribute to strengthening analytical capacity, supporting inclusive and conflict-sensitive programming, reinforcing coordination and engagement with national stakeholders, and advancing the UN's prevention and sustaining peace efforts in the country.

Scope of Work

1. Support the operational implementation and results monitoring of the Project Initiation Plan (PIP), ensuring timely delivery of activities and coordination across participating UN entities:

• Coordinate reporting and development of PIPs across UN entities;
• Ensure timely delivery of planned activities;
• Monitor progress and flag delays or risks;
• Document lessons learned and good practices from current PIP implementation propose mechanisms for their integration into broader UNCT efforts.

2. Provide policy and analytical support on issues related to peace, governance, and regional diplomacy:

• Draft analytical briefs and policy notes on peace, governance, and diplomacy;
• Provide political analysis to support the RCO and UNCT;
• Support UNCT decision-making with evidence-based recommendations.

3. Coordinate UN system contributions to Angola’s peace and reconciliation agenda, facilitating joint planning, knowledge-sharing, and alignment with national and regional priorities:

• Facilitate joint planning and knowledge-sharing among UN entities;
• Align UN activities with Angola’s peace and reconciliation agenda;
• Promote coherence with national and regional priorities;
• Support donor reporting with clear articulation of results achieved.

4. Draft strategic briefings, talking points, speeches, and background materials for high-level UN engagement on the PIP and related peacebuilding processes:

• Prepare strategic briefings, talking points, and speeches;
• Draft background materials for UN leadership engagement;
• Produce briefing notes for national counterpart meetings;
• Ensure materials reflect evolving political landscape ahead of 2027 elections.

5. Liaise with national and regional counterparts, including the Ministry of External Relations, to promote coherence and mutual accountability in support of Angola’s continental role:

• Engage with the Ministry of External Relations and other institutions;
• Promote coherence and mutual accountability in regional diplomacy;
• Strengthen Angola’s continental role through forward-looking PIP design;
• Maintain regular communication with civil society, academia, and development partners;
• Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing;
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.

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

Institutional Arrangements

The incumbent reports directly to the UN Resident Coordinator and secondarily to the UNDP Resident Representative and DPPA-DPO Regional Division.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pay attention to details, deliver quality work by the 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

• Strategic Thinking
  • Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
• 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.

Digital

• Innovation Capacity building
  • Ability to define and create the conditions for trying out new ways of working or introducing new problem-solving approaches to an organisation. Ability to develop, manage and evaluate a learning curriculum that raises awareness, builds confidence, strengthens innovation capabilities around a certain method, tool or technique; or helps develop an innovation mindset;
  • Ability to create the authorizing environment (mandate, incentives) to embed and spread new ways of working;
  • In-depth knowledge of one or more innovation methods, broad knowledge of innovation processes and innovation management;
  • Ability to align a learning and development strategy with broader innovation strategy.

Business Management

• Results-based Management
  • Ability to manage program and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• 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
  • 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.

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance
  • Local governance and sustaining peace.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum education requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Development Studies, or a related field or;
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience;
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in political analysis, development coordination, peacebuilding, governance, or related fields. Prior experience in the UN system or in inter-agency coordination is an asset.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Proven experience in policy analysis and strategic planning;
• Strong writing and research skills for political and socioeconomic analysis;
• Demonstrated ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and liaise with government and development partners;
• Experience and knowledge of the UN’s peacebuilding architecture, SDGs, and development cooperation mechanisms;
• Experience with the UN Resident Coordinator system and interagency coordination;
• Familiarity with regional organizations and African peacebuilding frameworks.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Portuguese (both written and oral) is required;
• Knowledge of French 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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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