Programme Analyst - (AFSIT) [Open to Tier 1 applicants only]

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 Regional Programme for Africa is a flagship continental programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), implemented through the Regional Service Center for Africa (RSCA), designed to respond to the evolving challenges and opportunities across African. It is anchored in the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, including its Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan, and aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026-2029. The programme complements national development efforts by leveraging regional institutions, partnerships and platforms to address transboundary challenges, unlock shared opportunities and scale impact.

The Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT), a flagship joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC) and UNDP, was established in response to the call made by the AU Heads of State and Government during the 16th Extraordinary Session on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Change of Government (UCG) in Africa, held on May 28, 2023, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The Heads of State and Government called for collective action and solidarity to develop robust response mechanisms to UCGs, deepening democracy, and collective security on the continent.

AFSIT provides integrated programmatic support to countries navigating complex political transitions. The Facility adopts a development-oriented approach aimed at strengthening governance structures, promoting stability, and building resilience, ensuring that transitions are peaceful and sustainable. It places strong emphasis on inclusivity, empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) and amplifying the leadership and meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups in political processes and decision-making. AFSIT also plays a vital role in knowledge development, generating insights and best practices to inform decision-making and strengthen transition processes across the continent.

Position Purpose

The Programme Analyst will report to the AFSIT Programme Specialist within the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA) and work closely with UNDP Country Offices, regional institutions, and development partners involved in programme implementation.

The AFSIT team is seeking a Programme Analyst (P2) to support the implementation, coordination, monitoring, and reporting of the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT Programme. In particular the Programme Analyst will lead the delivery of the following projects under AFSIT:

1. Building Resilience and Inclusive Development for Governance and Equality (BRIDGE), which aims to promote gender-responsive, transparent and accountable governance systems while advancing women’s leadership and participation in decision-making processes. Implemented in Guinea-Bissau, South Sudan and The Gambia.
2. Rebuilding the Social Contract Between States and Citizens in the Sahel, which seeks to strengthen inclusive governance and foster renewed trust between citizens and state institutions through dialogue, civic participation, and policy engagement in transition contexts. Implemented in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

The Programme Analyst will contribute to the implementation of broader AFSIT programme activities, including country-level support, regional initiatives, and knowledge development workstreams. The Programme Analyst will also provide support to wider initiatives under the Regional Programme for Africa, as directed.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Programme Implementation and Coordination
2. Programme Monitoring and Reporting
3. Partnership Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
4. Knowledge Management, Research and Communications
5. Operational and Financial Coordination

1. Programme Implementation and Coordination: Support the implementation of AFSIT programming and coordinate the regional projects BRIDGE and Rebuilding the Social Contract Between States and Citizens in the Sahel.

Key responsibilities include:

Rebuilding the Social Contract Between States and Citizens in the Sahel

• Lead and coordinate the development of a civil society toolkit to support inclusive participation in political transitions and early warning and response.
• Support the design and implementation of the dialogue on Women’s Political Participation in Africa, promoting women’s leadership and participation in governance and peacebuilding processes.
• Facilitate the organisation of diaspora dialogues to strengthen engagement between diaspora communities and national stakeholders in transition contexts.
• Support coordination and oversight of country-level programme implementation by UNDP Country Offices, ensuring alignment with Open Society Foundation (OSF) requirements and fostering coherence in efforts to strengthen dialogue, civic participation, and trust between citizens and state institutions in transition contexts.

Building Resilience and Inclusive Development for Governance and Equality (BRIDGE)

• Support the organisation of continental peer exchanges on transitional justice, promoting cross-country learning and knowledge exchange among policymakers, practitioners, and civil society actors.
• Coordinate support to the AU transitional justice women and youth platforms, strengthening the participation of women and young people in transitional justice and governance processes.
• Facilitate coordination with regional institutions, including the AU, and support engagement with national stakeholders involved in justice and governance reforms.
• Support the coordination of country-level programme implementation by UNDP Country Offices, ensuring alignment with African Development Bank (AfDB) requirements and coherence in efforts to strengthen inclusive and gender-responsive governance systems.

Broader AFSIT support

• Contribute to the implementation of AFSIT programme activities across country-level, regional and knowledge development workstreams.
• Support the identification of emerging priorities and strategic opportunities to strengthen and expand AFSIT programming across the continent

2. Programme Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the preparation and monitoring of annual workplans, budgets, and implementation plans for AFSIT
• Track programme progress against results frameworks and performance indicators.
• Contribute to the preparation of donor reports, briefing notes, and programme updates.
• Ensure proper documentation of programme activities in line with UNDP policies and donor requirements.

3. Partnership Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support engagement with UNDP Country Offices, regional organizations, civil society organizations, and development partners involved in project implementation.
• Organize multi-stakeholder meetings, dialogues, workshops, and consultations among programme partners and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the identification and engagement of new partners and donors, including both public and private actors, to support the expansion of AFSIT programming.
• Conduct donor mapping and partnership analysis to inform resource mobilization strategies and identify potential funding opportunities.

4. Knowledge Management, Research and Communications

• Support the development of knowledge products, policy briefs, analytical reports, and toolkits under AFSIT.
• Conduct background research and stakeholder mapping to inform programme design and policy dialogue.
• Support documentation of lessons learned and good practices emerging from programme implementation.
• Assist with preparation of communication materials, event summaries, and programme updates.

5. Operational and Financial Coordination

• Support financial monitoring and budget tracking of project activities.
• Assist with procurement processes, consultant recruitment, and contract management in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with programme and operations teams to ensure efficient and compliant project implementation.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A

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

• Cross Functional Competencies

Business Direction and Strategy - Strategic thinking:

• Develop effective strategies and prioritised 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.

Business Direction & Strategy - Systems 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 Management - Portfolio Management:

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity;
• ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Partnership management - Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Communications - Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance - Civic Engagement (CSOs): Ability to effectively engage with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and facilitate productive dialogues. Ability to support the development of relevant toolkits.
• Governance - Inclusion and Participation: Ability to amplify leadership and promote the meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups in political and transition processes.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) or relevant work experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience supporting programme implementation, monitoring, and reporting in an international development context is desired.
• Experience in African political transitions or governance is an asset.
• Experience working with the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and civil society organizations is an asset.
• Previous experience with the UN is an asset.
• Demonstrated managerial and leadership experience is desired.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of French is highly desirable.

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.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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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