Operations 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

UNDP provides integrated programmatic, policy and financing solutions to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, UNDP has created a Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Crisis Bureau (CB) is the two anchor Bureaux of the GPN.

In this context, the newly established Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding (GRP) Hub, a joint endeavour with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), provides leadership and advisory services to enhance UNDP’s impact on governance and peacebuilding, ensuring the integration of democratic governance and human rights into crisis response and recovery. The Hub aims to build an integrated portfolio collaboratively between the CB and BPPS and establish partnerships with various stakeholders including the UN System, IFIs, civil society, and the private sector.

Through Local Action, the GRP Hub seeks to contribute to peace and development, achieving a visible impact on communities and improving lives by delivering integrated solutions that harness global expertise and partnerships. The Local Action Unit works closely with local and regional governments as key development players, highlighting their role as public service implementers, as drivers of innovation and the closest institution to people.

Local and regional governments are already responsible of over 65% of the SDG targets, most of them linked to basic service provision from water, sanitation, mobility, climate action, health or education. Cities and territories play a big part on the implementation of SDGs, that are becoming a new tool for strategic planning and budgeting in the mid to long-term. Since 2015, local governments and their associations have been increasingly active in promoting the SDGs through advocacy, working with their local population and partners in transposing the spirit of Agenda 2030 in cities and territories. Local Governments have also started to use SDGs as a strategic framework to deliver better and more innovative public services linked to SDG targets and indicators. As part of the SDG Local Action project, UNDP is one of the implementing partners of the Mayors Challenge, a global initiative to reimagine the most essential services that cities deliver to residents.

Within this context, the SDG Local Action project is seeking to recruit an Operations Analyst to support the implementation of the Mayors Challenge in Visakhapatnam. The Vizag-Prajamukhi Urban Living Lab (V-PULL) is GVMC’s (Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation) co-governance platform, designed to turn resident ideas into climate resilience, supporting cleaner, cooler, and safer neighborhoods for vulnerable residents. The platform sources ideas, prototypes them, and helps scale effective community solutions. V-PULL’s institutional framework operates on three tiers: the Margadarshak Group chaired by the Commissioner, GVMC sets the strategy, priorities, and unblocks high-level coordination; the Core Working Team (CWT) runs the innovation pipeline and learning agenda; and the Operational Support Team (OST), comprising ward staff and resident groups, handles on-the-ground implementation and maintenance.

The Operations Analyst will support the Project Manager in ensuring that the V-PULL’s portfolio of projects deliver against their intended goals, s/he will monitor budgets and timeframes for implementation while exploring options for the project long-term sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (NPSA 10) and in coordination with the Institutional Representative of the Municipality, the Operations Analyst will perform the following functions:

A. Coordination of project operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations and coordinate execution with the Core Working Team (CWT) and OSTs, under the guidance of the Project Manager and Municipal Commissioner, with steady support from V-PULL partners and other GVMC stakeholders;
• Act as the primary liaison for communications between the city, UNDP procurement team, and contracted service providers. Prepare Terms of References for procurement processes to achieve the project activities and objectives;
• Facilitate elaboration and implementation of contract strategy, sourcing strategy, quality management, supplier selection, and improvement of procurement processes;
• Supervise the work of the service providers, consultancies and/or private entities that will implement the project, and conduct performance reviews in accordance with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
• Follow up on payments to providers, collect deliverables, invoices and other justification documents to ensure prompt disbursement of funds to providers.

B. Monitoring project results

• Managing intervention-level impact metrics, financial reporting, data collection, and delivery planning, to ensure continuous knowledge capture, institutional capacity building, and integration of learnings into future operations and delivery;
• Oversee continuous delivery of the 10-step V-PULL process, from sourcing ideas, through to co-design and pilot execution, scaling and long-term sustainability;
• Manage relationships with the Margadarshak Committee and other governing bodies to unblock barriers to delivery and enable simultaneous delivery of multiple workstreams.

C. Ensure quality assurance

• Ensure compliance with quality standards and resilience criteria;
• Ensure alignment between field implementation and the approved technical designs;
• Identify technical risks and propose mitigation strategies;
• Validate technical deliverables in coordination with the Project Manager;
• Facilitate the analysis of information required in the preparation of procurement plans and monitoring of its implementation;
• Oversee technical planning and sequencing of project activities;
• Work closely with the Project Manager in defining priorities, implementation schedules, and resource allocation from a technical perspective.

D. Facilitate knowledge sharing

• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project;
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to 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 Operations Analyst will report directly to the Project Manager, Visakhapatnam Mayors Challenge.

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.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business Management

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

Business Management

• Partnerships Management: 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.

Business Direction & Strategy

• Effective Decision Making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions: Municipal Planning and Basic Service Delivery (including budgeting & financing).

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Local Action (Localization and Locally led portfolios).

Programme and Policy 2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

• Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance.

2030 Agenda: Prosperity

• Inclusive Growth: Development Planning

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Management, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Urban Planning, Sustainable Architecture or related field is required.
• 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.

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 project management, operations, climate resilience, or sustainability project delivery or related areas.

Desired additional skills:

• Experience working with local or regional governments in India is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in logistical coordination is an asset;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary field teams is an asset;
• Experience working with national and global think tanks, academic institutions, and private sector partners is an asset;
• Familiarity with UNDP operational and financial reporting systems is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in the English and Hindi is required.
• Knowledge of Telugu will be an advantage.

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

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.