Project Analyst_NPSA8

Background UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. The Gambia has a small, undiversified economy heavily reliant on tourism, trade, remittances, and subsistence agriculture. Almost half of the population (48.6%) live below the poverty line and a large proportion of the population is vulnerable to shocks and crises. COVID-19 hit the country amidst an unemployment crisis of 57.1% and 41.5% for women and men respectively. Before COVID, tourism and agriculture contributed 50% of the GDP and accounted for 90% of the labor force.
COVID-19 magnified environmental challenges linked to climate change and disaster risks and threatens to reverse gains made for a green economy. Traditionally wildlife protected areas (PA) and conserved landscapes that underpin nature-based tourism are critically underfunded. This undermines their full economic value, tourism potential and reduces the significant opportunities to improve rural livelihoods and secure community land rights. Of the eight Protected Areas (covering 88,289.41 ha), six are open to ecotourism/nature-based tourism/tourist visitation as a source of revenue for peripheral communities. The income of communities within these 6 peripheral areas has been curtailed.
At the national level, ���������vulnerabilities of climate and natural environment��������� constitute key drivers of conflict and instability1. Communities emphasize that while tensions existed over the growing scarcity of natural resources, these have intensified, over the past 5 years.
The project will provide and develop alternative livelihoods prioritizing green hways to mitigate environmental degradation. This will lead to socio-economic empowerment of youth, women, and other vulnerable populations to build beneficiaries��������� resilience to future shocks, including the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population. Leveraging the opportunities offered by digitization as a tool with a special focus on green development pathways and the youth will promote nature-based sustainable tourism as a means of economic empowerment, resulting in improved and sustained livelihoods and resilience for rural communities particularly those living and dependent on PAs.Duties and ResponsibilitiesWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of the programme Specialist, Poverty and Inclusive Growth, the Project Analyst will:
1. Support implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
Support the day-to-day management of the implementation of the project; Work closely with the relevant UNDP programme Units; Povertironment, and the Accelerator to ensure those project components that they are taking the lead on are being implemented on time; Provides operational and technical support to project implementing partners and responsible parties to ensure implementation of project activities is in accordance with approved work plan; Focus on quality control of implementation of the project.
2. Perform programme monitoring and evaluation functions and contribute to the formulation of M&E strategy and its implementation for tracking programme results.
Monthly Field monitoring of projects being implemented; Preparation of regular quarterly reports (progress and financial) on the status of project implementation; Consistently assess the progress of implementation and identify strategies and actions required to accelerate delivery; Prepare the M&E plan for monitoring Low-Value Grantees.
3. Financial & Operational Management:
Maintain the integrity of financial and administrative procedures as well as a consistent application of procedure, rules, and regulations regarding programme implementation and operations; Prepare and maintain complete project file with all needed documentation for audit purposes; Undertake overall financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the project; ensuring that all project activities completed are evaluated as per the M &E plan of the project.
4. Support in the partnership building, such as:
Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project���������s partners, and other relevant stakeholders; Maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries, and service providers to ensure relevance and quality of projects��������� outputs; Support activities related to assessing capacities and needs of government organizations and partners, in close collaboration with national counterparts at both central and local levels.
5. Knowledge Management and Policy Development:
Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues, identification and synthesis of best practices andrned directly linked to the programme; Contribute to high-quality policy advice to the ministries of finance, economic, planning and employment, trade, industry and youth empowerment, and other institutional partners as required, as it relates to developing policies programmes and strategies, and issues of institutional development, accountability, and oversight to promote accelerate economic growth, employment, and livelihood generation and broad -base development.
CompetenciesCore Competencies:
Innovation – Champions organizational agility, stakeholder-focused service approaches, and organizational learning throughout UNDP���������s institutional engagement; People Management – Guides substantive specialists/teams and expands credibility and innovation capacity; Communication – Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen; Delivery – Accepts accountability for the outcomes of programme delivery and facilitates improvement and innovat the delivery of products and services; Leadership – Typifies the values and integrity of UNDP.
Technical/Functional Competencies:
Preparedness – Knowledge of preparedness solutions and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations; Knowledge Management – Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge; Partnership – Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships; Project Management – Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals; Results-Based Management – Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance.
Required Skills and Experience Education:
Masters��������� degree or Bachelor’s with two years experience in a relevant area, e.g. Social Sciences or area related to Social Work or Social Protection.
Experience:
At least 2 years of professional work experience with a bachelor���������s at and/or international level in international development, or other relevant programmes; Experience with government and NGOs is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Must be adept at problem-solving, including being able to identify issues and resolve programs in a timely manner; Familiarity with M & E, project report writing; Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
Language:
Fluency in English languages is required as the working language of the duty station. Knowledge of at least two of the local language will be an advantage (Mandinka, Wollof, Fula)
Nationality: The Position is open for Gambian Nationals only.