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, as the UN’s global development network, supports countries in advancing sustainable human development and addressing the challenges of climate change, disaster risk, and environmental degradation. Its work is guided by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP assists countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening climate and disaster resilience, expanding access to green technologies and clean energy, and supporting sustainable, risk informed development pathways.
Central Asia experiences significant disaster impacts, with high economic losses and millions of people affected annually. The region faces complex and increasing risks driven by climate change, environmental degradation, pollution, and emerging security challenges. Rapid urbanization further heightens vulnerability, often outpacing governments’ adaptation and risk reduction efforts.
UNDP Kazakhstan, together with the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, manages a growing portfolio of regional and national initiatives in Central Asia, funded primarily by the Government of Japan and other development partners. The following projects form part of this portfolio.
On-going projects:
- Regional Project for Enhancing Urban Resilience to Disaster Risk and Climate Change in Central Asia;
- Reginal Project for Strengthening the System for Region-wide Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia;
- Improving Flood Control Measures through Integrated Dam Management in Kazakhstan
Projects under donor approval:
- Promotion of Sustainable Development of Rare and Rare Earth Minerals Value Chains in the Caspian Sea region of Kazakhstan;
- The Enhancement of Capacities for Water Level Decline in the Caspian Sea
The Regional Research, Knowledge Management and Partnerships Analyst (RKPA) will be based in Astana (Kazakhstan). The RKPA’s prime responsibility will be provision of cross-portfolio technical coordination supporting four concurrently implemented projects, ensuring integration of research outputs, knowledge products, partnership engagement and donor reporting requirements.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provide Research and Technical Support:
- Provide advice on technical and policy aspects of projects, focusing on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, urban resilience, risk governance, strengthening critical minerals supply chains, and regional water governance, amongst others.
- Assist with research in line with the best international practices, regional needs, and global frameworks (Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework, 2030 Agenda, CA+JAD Tokyo Initiative).
- Work with the Project Managers to keep projects on track and provide support in implementation.
- Guide with annual reports by drafting and reviewing progress updates on projects’ achievements, challenges, and strategies.
- Support technical input for project activities by collaborating with key partners like UNDP Country Offices, UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, and national governments, embassies of Japan in all five Central Asian countries and other international partners.
- Learn and analyze innovative disaster risk reduction and urban resilience practices, RM/REE resource potential and critical minerals supply chains, ways to strengthen regional water governance on Caspian Sea monitoring and digital innovation.
- Guide and support in organizing technical workshops, research consultations, and expert discussions with regional team and project partners.
- Support documentation and dissemination of project lessons learned, good practices, and case studies to inform regional and global resilience programming.
Donor and Embassy Coordination (Government of Japan):
- Serve as focal coordination point for engagement with the Government of Japan and Embassies of Japan across Central Asian countries. Ensure Multi-Project Portfolio Coordination: Build Partnerships and Regional Engagement: Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s): The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation. Institutional Arrangement Identify the direct supervisor (s) and attach a general overview (or Organigram) in an Annex to show the position of this function within the office and unit structure (without indicating names of individuals). Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Regional Programme Specialist, Regional Research, Knowledge Management and Partnerships Analyst renders operational and thematic services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. Regional Research, Knowledge Management and Partnerships Analyst will work in close collaboration with all Central Asian country offices, focal points in UNDP IRH, national partners, local and international consultants, projects, operations, and Programme staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery and undertake day-to-day responsibility for thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the related project deliverables. Competencies Core Competencies: Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: Business Development Partnership management Business Direction and Strategy 2030 Agenda: Planet 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Digital Required Skills and Experience Education: Experience: Languages: Required Skills: Desired Skills: 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. #LI-DNI
- Coordinate preparation of donor briefs and communication materials.
- Support organization of donor missions and regional events.
- Support preparation of talking points, concept notes, and presentations for engagement with the Government of Japan and Embassy representatives.
- Assist with logistical and substantive coordination of donor missions, including field visits, stakeholder meetings, and follow-up communication.
- Ensure compliance with donor visibility and reporting requirements.
- Ensure programmatic coherence across assigned projects.
- Facilitate coordination between project teams and the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub to ensure technical coherence and alignment with regional programming priorities.
- Support Project Managers in monitoring implementation progress.
- Coordinate inputs between UNDP Country Offices, Regional Hub, Tokyo Representation Office and implementing partners.
- Contribute to work planning, monitoring and adaptive management.
- Assist in consolidating inputs from multiple projects for regional updates, briefings, and strategic reporting.
- Support partnerships with governments, regional organizations and research institutions.
- Facilitate regional cooperation platforms and technical exchanges. In particular, support advocacy and outreach efforts to promote project achievements and regional resilience initiatives through knowledge events, policy dialogues, and communication products.
- Participate in technical meetings and consultations.
- Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
- Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
- 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
- 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.
- Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding:
- Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
- 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
- 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
- Climate:
- Climate change adaptation: urban resilience
- Effectiveness:
- Programmatic Risk Management and Analysis
- Facilitation of digital innovation:
- Ability to facilitate groups and individuals through a digital innovation process
- Advance university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economy, Governance, International Development, Natural Sciences, Business Administration, Urban Studies, Environmental Studies, or related disciplines is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree or equivalent) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in research, knowledge management, programme coordination or project implementation in international development contexts.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Working knowledge of Japanese language will be considered as an asset.
- Experience producing analytical and knowledge products.
- Experience coordinating multi-country programmes
- Experience managing projects of UN or other international organizations is an asset.
- Experience working in the region of Europe and Central Asia is desirable.
- Experience working in Japanese ODA related organizations including JICA and embassy of Japan is an asset.
- Experience in developing reports/studies in the areas of climate change adaptation, resilience, disaster risk management, urban studies such as urban resilience/planning, or other relevant fields is desirable.
- Experience engaging with international partners or donors Experience in developing partnerships with national and international partners is an asset
