Travel Analyst (Home Based) [Open to Internal and External Applicants]

Tier Description

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026
Tier 1: Other UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates”

Office/Unit/Project Description

In the United Nations Development Programme, General Operations (GO) is entrusted with the delivery of travel services to the UNDP and partner agencies within the UN system. The Travel Services Section of GO wishes to strengthen processes for efficient and quality travel services.

The Travel Analyst will work as part of General Operations in the Bureau of Management Services, UNDP Headquarters New York and will report to the Travel Manager. The Travel Analyst is responsible for supporting the review of the travel policy as well the delivery of travel support services:

• Coordination with stakeholders ensuring relevant data is collected, analyzed and reported on a regular basis.
• Provision of guidance to ensure optimal engagement with suppliers and travel services beneficiaries, contributing to operational efficiencies with event owners and supplier managers.
• Report production and analysis
• Participate in the sourcing of a consultancy firm to assist with the policy review.

Scope of Work

Ensure operational strategy implementation and travel management quality assurance

• Ensure implementation of operational strategies in alignment with governing rules and regulations, with a focus on consistency and quality of travel management.
• Coordinate and manage travel arrangements for clients using the Central Travel Desk (staff and consultants/secondees), as well as non UNDP meeting/workshop participants, liaising closely with the UNDP contracted travel management company.
• Follow up to ensure key performance metrics are met and service delivery standards are maintained.

Ensure policy guidance, transaction processing, and compliance support

• Provide policy guidance and process travel claims for UNDP and non UNDP travellers covered by the service; follow up with relevant HQ operations and travel support units to ensure requests are processed correctly and on a timely basis.
• Support follow up with HQ operations and travel support units to ensure approval and processing of Travel Requests (TR) and Travel Claims (TCs), Purchase Orders (POs), and invoices in a timely manner.
• Compile and validate required information and documentation to facilitate the authorization and payment processes.

Reporting, analysis and performance monitoring

• Produce and provide travel related reports, including regular and ad hoc reporting as required.
• Monitor service delivery trends and operational performance indicators to identify issues and propose process improvements.

Facilitate knowledge building, communications, and client support

• Communicate travel management best practices to event owners and other stakeholders.
• Prepare and maintain training and reference materials to facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Provision of after-hours flight monitoring support

• Monitor USG flights after hours as needed.

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 IPSA Travel Analyst is reporting to the Travel Manager at HQ.

Competencies

Core

• 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

ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS
Travel Desk

Ability to process Travel Requests, Travel Claims and PO invoices; knowledge of relevant policy and procedures

ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS
Travel policy and procedures

Knowledge of travel policy and procedures; ability to interpret travel policy, the Staff Rules, administrative circulars and financial regulations and rules on travel-related matters.

BUSINESS AND DIRECTION
Business Acumen

Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.

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.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Customer Satisfaction

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Monitoring and Evaluation

Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Operations Management

Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Logistics, Accounting or any other relevant areas is required.

Or

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. 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 administrative and operational management, with travel management, procurement, and finance duties is required.

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

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel etc.) and web-based management systems.
• Experience and understanding of UN and UNDP operations and procurement processes.
• Experience with UNall and corporate ERP system (Quantum) or any other UN ERP System that handles travel functions similarly to the UNall / Quantum ERP system.
• Experience with certification of UN Travel Documents and G4 visa issuance.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.

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.

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.