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

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.

As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.

As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including:

• SME Finance

• Sub-National Finance

• Digital Finance

UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.

LoCAL +

LoCAL+ (2026–2032) is a multi-country project that aims to accellerate locally led climate adaptation for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The project strengthens public financial management systems and mobilizes public and private climate finance to the local level through two complementary financing windows: fiscal transfers to local governments and innovative market finance. LoCAL aligns with National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement, fostering inclusive, resilient, and green local economies through performance-based grants, technical assistance, and by catalysing market-based investments in climate adaptation through targeted de-risking mechanisms and financial instruments. It integrates climate resilience into local planning, budgeting, and investment processes, while promoting private sector engagement to build sustainable local economies.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNCDF LoCAL+ is seeking a Programme Analyst to support the implementation and monitoring of the Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grant (PBCRG) mechanism in Solomon Islands with additional support to targeted countries across the Pacific region. The incumbent will contribute to project implementation, provide essential administrative and operational support in line with UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP), and offer targeted technical inputs on climate change and local development.

1. Programme Management

• Support the implementation of LoCAL country programmes in Solomon Islands, in collaboration with UNCDF Country Teams, the Regional Specialist, and the Global Secretariat, ensuring timely delivery of activities in accordance with approved workplans and budgets.
• Contribute to the operational follow-up of activities at country level, including coordination with national partners, service providers, and stakeholders to ensure smooth execution.
• Assist in the preparation of implementation-related documentation, including terms of reference, letters of agreements (LOA), Performance-based payment agreement (PBPA) and other relevant instruments.
• Support the management and coordination of consultants and service providers, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and compliance with quality standards.
• Participate in the monitoring of project performance, including collection and analysis of implementation data, follow-up on field-level activities, and contribution to regular reporting.
• Provide support to missions, workshops, and capacity-building activities by coordinating logistics, preparing briefing materials, and ensuring alignment with LoCAL objectives.
• Liaise with stakeholders at national and local levels to facilitate coordination and problem-solving during implementation and maintain effective working relationships with key partners in Solomon Islands.

2. Operations and Administration

• Ensure adherence to UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) in all aspects of implementation support, including programme management policies, procurement, finance, and responsible party and partner engagement.
• Support the end-to-end process of Letters of Agreement (LOA) and Performance-Based Payment Agreements (PBPA), including drafting, submission, monitoring of deliverables, disbursement tracking, and closure.
• Prepare, review, and process FACE forms and other documentation required for advances and direct payments, ensuring consistency with approved budgets and agreements.
• Coordinate and follow up on audit and spot check processes with implementing partners, including preparation of supporting documentation, response to audit queries, and implementation of recommendations.
• Liaise with the UNCDF operations team and relevant UNDP country office colleagues to ensure timely and accurate processing of payments, vendor registration, and contract management.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in line with audit requirements and UNCDF’s internal control frameworks.
• Provide inputs and updates in the Quantum system for relevant financial and procurement transactions and support budget monitoring and reconciliation.
• Ensure compliance with timelines and quality standards in all administrative tasks related to LoCAL programme delivery.

3. Technical Input

• Provide targeted technical inputs to reinforce the integration of climate change adaptation within local governance systems and public financial management processes.
• Support the alignment of LoCAL implementation with national decentralization frameworks and intergovernmental fiscal transfer mechanisms, in coordination with country teams and national partners.
• Contribute to the preparation of policy notes, presentations, and briefing materials related to decentralization, climate finance, and local governance, as needed.
• Participate in technical discussions and capacity-building initiatives with subnational institutions to promote ownership and institutionalization of LoCAL at the local government level.
• Assist in documenting lessons and practices that enhance the effectiveness of LoCAL’s approach to fiscal decentralization and resilience-building.

4.) Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the thematic area(s).

• 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.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Programme Analyst will work under the overall guidance of the LoCAL Programme Management Specialist in Solomon Islands and the Global Coordinator and will report directly to the UNCDF LoCAL Programme Management Specialist for the Solomon Islands. The Programme Management Specialist will provide day-to-day supervision, technical guidance, and performance oversight.

The Programme Analyst will ensure effective delivery of LoCAL-supported activities, in close coordination with the LoCAL Global Facility, UNCDF regional and country teams, and national stakeholders. The role requires regular collaboration with operations colleagues in UNCDF and UNDP, as well as with implementing partners and service providers in the assigned countries.

Competencies

Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation

Plans

Business Management

Ability to select, prioritize, and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.

Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Political Science, Public Administration, Environment, Climate Change, Economics, or a related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above areas, in combination with an additional two years of relevant experience, may be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced degree.
  

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years (with a Master’s degree) or four (4) years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of experience in the field of climate change (preferably adaptation), environmental management, public administration, or a related area.
• Experience in programme or project implementation and coordination, within development projects led by international organizations, NGOs, or UN agencies.

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

• Experience in project implementation for climate adaptation or local development programmes or local finance
• Experience in programmatic, administrative and operational support at Country and/or Project level within UN agencies
• Work experience in Asia and/or the Pacific
• Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government agencies and donors
• Experience with a UN organization/agency and use of enterprise resource planning systems (e.g. Quantum)
  

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.

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

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