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
Social cohesion remains an important challenge in the Republic of Moldova, influenced by disparities between urban and rural areas, intergenerational differences, and diverse geopolitical and political viewpoints. These factors shape how communities interact and how individuals relate to one another.
Levels of public trust in state institutions, particularly political institutions and the judiciary remain modest, and perceptions of personal and community security vary. In this context, strengthening both horizontal cohesion (relations among individuals and groups) and vertical cohesion (trust between people and public institutions) is essential for fostering inclusive governance, institutional credibility, and long‑term societal resilience.
The impacts of the war in Ukraine, including the arrival of refugees and wider security and energy challenges, have placed additional pressure on communities and public services. These developments have heightened socio‑economic vulnerabilities and underscored the importance of coordinated, community‑focused responses.
Social dynamics are driven by a mix of structural challenges and contextual factors, as well as by perceptions shaped by external messaging, misinformation, or rapid changes in the broader environment. Where underlying vulnerabilities persist, specific events may elevate social tensions or challenge community cohesion.
In response, UNDP has piloted initiatives on social tension monitoring, community dialogue, intergenerational exchange, and youth engagement. These efforts have generated evidence, strengthened local capacities, and identified approaches that support constructive engagement and enhance community resilience.
The ”Enhancing social cohesion in Moldova through dialogue and community empowerment" SCPI Phase II Project is a four-year Joint Project (April 2026 – March 2030) implemented under Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with financial support from the Government of Switzerland.
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen social cohesion, democratic resilience, and sustainable peace across target communities in Moldova, by institutionalizing social cohesion as a function of governance at both national and local levels. The project responds to the erosion of social cohesion in the Republic of Moldova, driven by overlapping structural and external shocks. Persistent low trust in institutions, regional and identity-based polarization, demographic decline and ageing, widening intergenerational gaps, regressive gender norms, and socio-economic disparities have weakened the social contract. The spillover effects of the war in Ukraine, refugee presence, disinformation, and repeated electoral cycles have further intensified horizontal tensions between groups and vertical distrust between citizens and institutions. Existing responses to social friction remain fragmented and project-based, with limited institutionalization of dialogue, mediation, and participatory governance practices. Women-led civil society organizations have demonstrated strong crisis response capacity yet face structural constraints, burnout, and limited access to sustainable resources. At local level, participatory mechanisms are often procedural rather than facilitation-based, and social cohesion data are not systematically integrated into policy processes.
SCPI-II addresses these gaps by institutionalizing social cohesion as a governance function. It establishes structured intergenerational and intergroup dialogue platforms, strengthens mediation and facilitation capacities, embeds data-driven monitoring tools, and supports inclusive participatory mechanisms. The project shifts the focus from reactive crisis management to preventive, locally anchored resilience.
The project pursues two mutually reinforcing outcomes.
- Under Outcome 1 – Vertical Social Cohesion, the project supports public institutions to become more responsive and inclusive, through capacity building in social cohesion methodology, the application of data-driven monitoring tools (STMM, ECoST, eMonitor+), and the development of participatory mechanisms including Social Cohesion Pledges integrated into local strategies and budgets.
- Under Outcome 2 – Horizontal Social Cohesion, the project strengthens relations among individuals, groups and communities through the establishment of dialogue platforms and intergenerational centers, support to cross-regional and cross-river civil society initiatives, and targeted investment in women's leadership and crisis-response capacities.
Through this integrated approach, UNDP aims to consolidate and scale proven methodologies, embed social cohesion practices into institutional and community structures, and contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and democratically engaged society in Moldova.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, and in close coordination with the Project Associate and relevant UNDP Country Office units, the Project Analyst supports the effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities. The incumbent contributes to the application of results-based management principles, ensures quality operational delivery, and facilitates coordination with implementing partners and stakeholders in line with UNDP rules and procedures.
Support project planning and implementation
- Contribute to the preparation, periodic updating, and implementation of annual work plans, detailed implementation plans, and related monitoring tools, ensuring alignment with the approved project document, budget, and timelines.
- Support day-to-day coordination and implementation of project activities, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and compliance with UNDP programme and operational procedures.
- Provide technical and coordination support to implementing partners, including recipients of Low Value Grants, to ensure activities remain aligned with project objectives, expected results, and agreed indicators.
- Assist in the preparation of Terms of Reference, activity plans, and related documentation for consultants, trainings, workshops, and field activities, in coordination with the Project Manager and operations colleagues.
- Ensure that gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability considerations are reflected in project activities and monitoring processes, in line with UNDP standards and guidance.
Stakeholder coordination and partnerships
- Maintain regular communication and effective working relationships with implementing partners, government counterparts, civil society organizations, and community-level stakeholders to support smooth implementation and feedback loops.
- Support coordination meetings, briefings, and consultations with partners and beneficiaries, including preparation of agendas, background notes, and follow-up actions.
- Act as a liaison between UNDP and partners on operational and monitoring-related matters, escalating issues to the Project Manager as appropriate.
- Contribute to project communication and visibility efforts by providing substantive inputs, field information, and documentation of results and good practices.
Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
- Support the development and implementation of the project’s monitoring and evaluation framework, including indicators, baselines, targets, data collection tools, and means of verification, particularly for components implemented through NGO partners.
- Lead and coordinate regular monitoring visits to project sites, including engagement with beneficiaries and local partners, data collection, and documentation of progress against planned results.
- Analyze monitoring data and field findings to identify implementation challenges, risks, and emerging issues, and propose practical mitigation measures in coordination with the project team.
- Prepare high-quality monitoring reports, field visit summaries, briefing notes, and inputs to corporate, donor, and government reports in accordance with UNDP requirements and reporting schedules.
- Contribute to mid-term reviews, annual reviews, and evaluations by supporting data collection, partner consultations, and documentation of findings and recommendations.
Facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity development
- Document lessons learned, good practices, and success stories from project implementation and monitoring, and ensure their integration into project reporting and knowledge products.
- Contribute to the design and delivery of capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening partners’ monitoring, implementation, and reporting capacities.
- Support knowledge sharing within the project team and with external stakeholders through participation in workshops, learning events, and communities of practice relevant to the thematic area.
Coordination and compliance
- Coordinate closely with programme, operations, finance, procurement, and communications colleagues to ensure coherence between programmatic activities and operational processes.
- Support compliance with UNDP financial, procurement, and administrative rules by providing timely and accurate inputs related to monitoring, implementation progress, and partner performance.
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 Project Analyst operates under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and collaborates closely with other project and programme team members within the UNDP Country Office. This includes coordination with operations, communications, and monitoring and evaluation functions to ensure integrated and coherent project implementation. The incumbent is expected to apply UNDP’s principles of results-based management and client-oriented service delivery, while adhering to established policies and procedures governing finance, procurement, and administration.
In addition to internal collaboration, the Project Analyst maintains effective working relationships with implementing partners, government counterparts, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. This includes participating in coordination meetings, joint planning processes, and field missions, where applicable. The role also involves contributing to knowledge exchange and lessons learned within the project and across the broader UNDP portfolio.
Throughout the assignment, the Project Analyst ensures full compliance with UNDP’s operational standards and promotes the organization’s values, including transparency, inclusivity, and accountability.
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 & Technical Competencies
Business Direction and Strategy
- Strategic Thinking Communications 2030 Agenda: Peace
- 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.
- Negotiation and Influence
- Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations. 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.
- Social Media management
- Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks
- Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions
- Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion
- Dialogue, Mediation, and Reconciliation
- Governance Required Skills and Experience Education: Experience: Desired skills and Experience: Required Languages: Professional Certificates: 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.
- Civil society strengthening
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, development studies, project management, economics, international relations, or a related field is required. OR
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- 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 progressive experience in project implementation, coordination, or monitoring in development contexts.
- Proven experience monitoring project activities, tracking results, conducting field visits, and preparing clear progress reports; familiarity with Results-Based Management (RBM) approaches and UNDP policies and tools.
- Strong skills/experience in engaging and coordinating with diverse partners including government, civil society, and community-based actors; prior experience supporting participatory planning processes, local-level dialogue, or multi-stakeholder consultations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills/experience, with the ability to deliver presentations to diverse audiences and organize or facilitate public events, workshops, or consultations.
- Demonstrated experience supporting field-based activities or development interventions within development agencies, donor-funded projects, international organizations, national institutions, or civil society organizations; experience in contexts requiring sensitivity to regional or cross-community dynamics.
- Experience integrating gender equality, human rights, or social inclusion considerations into monitoring, reporting, and field activities
- Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian.
- Working knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, would be an asset.
- Additional training and/or certification in project or financial management would be a strong advantage.
