About this role
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 and Organizational Context
UNDP has been a key development partner of the Surinamese Government and its people since 1994. UNDP has a strong track record and comparative advantage to support the achievement of national priorities and United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNMSDCF). It is one of the leading United Nations agencies present in Suriname in terms of programmatic scope, partnerships and financial footprint. The advantage of UNDP is illustrated by the achievements during the program cycle 2022-2026, which supported the priorities around democratic governance, sustainable development and climate action. The Country Program 2027-2031 will focus on supporting Suriname around two strategic programme areas: (a) democratic governance for inclusive transformation; and (b) resilience and environmental protection.
UNDP’s support to the Democratic Governance for Inclusive Transformation will include four interlinked priorities: a) electoral support; b) decentralization and local governance; c) revenue governance and public financial management; and d) digitalization and innovation. In addition, UNDP Suriname will continue as the funding recipient of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Suriname and facilitates the CCM Secretariat. Other programmatic priorities may be included in consultation with the development partners and stakeholders in Suriname. In its interventions, UNDP prioritizes participation of all, including women, youth, and ITPs as a way to increase institutional effectiveness and improve transparency, accountability, and inclusion in public decision-making.
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative/Head of Office, the Programme Analyst (Effective Governance and Inclusive Transformation) is responsible for managing and further expanding the programme portfolio and creating synergies, complementarities and linkages with the resilience and environment protection work of UNDP, applying a portfolio approach.
Specifically, the role includes executing and expanding current projects, building a pipeline of new initiatives that are aligned with Suriname’s national priorities, and UNDP’s policies, programmatic and operational offer globally and in the region. Importantly, the incumbent will be responsible for maintaining and expanding UNDP’s partnerships with the Government, bilateral donors, UN agencies, vertical funds (GEF, GCF, others), the EU, IFIs and other partner organizations.
The incumbent will support the senior management of the UNDP Suriname in the design and execution of thematic and sectoral strategies, knowledge management, partnerships, and support the implementation of other strategic initiatives.
The Programme Programme Analyst (Effective Governance and Inclusive Transformation) will supervise the Programme Associate and be a part of a multidisciplinary team working closely with other thematic portfolio and the Operations team at UNDP Suriname, the Regional Bureau for LAC, the Regional Hub in Panama and the technical and operational teams across UNDP.
Position Purpose
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative (RR), Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) the Programme Analyst is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends; leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio; and provides policy advice services.
The Programme Analyst supervises and leads the Programme Associate and coordinates activities of the project’s staff. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the CO, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors/experts, external specialists, government officials and partners, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of the UNDP programme.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Key Duties and Accountabilities
1. Contribute to formulation and Implementation of UNDP Programme Strategies and policies
• Analyze socio-political, governance, and social development trends and identify areas for UNDP support. • Lead the development and execution of thematic strategies on governance, poverty reduction, social services, and SDG integration. • Provide technical input to national planning processes (e.g., CCA, UNMSDCF, CPD). • Promote inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches in programme design and delivery.
2. Ensure effective management of the CO programme within the assigned thematic/sector areas focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of the country programme
• Design and formulate programme/project proposals, ensuring alignment with national development goals and UNDP priorities. • Apply RBM tools and manage project implementation, financials, and reporting. • Ensure programme results and indicators are met in a timely and efficient manner. • Organize and support evaluations, audits, and strategic reviews.
3. Build strategic partnerships and resource mobilization
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with government, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector. • Identify funding opportunities and contribute to the office’s resource mobilization strategy. • Contribute to joint programming and inter-agency collaboration, especially around social development and governance reform.
4. Policy Advisory Services and Knowledge Management
• Provide policy advice to government counterparts in governance, poverty alleviation, and inclusive development, with a particular focus on the Indigenous and Tribal communities, youth, women and other groups. • Facilitate the development of evidence-based policies and institutional reforms related to governance and inclusive transformation. • Document and disseminate best practices, lessons learned, and knowledge products. • Foster internal and external knowledge sharing and innovation, including through UNDP Communities of Practice.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise and manage Programme Associate
Requirements:
Education
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, Political, Social Sciences, Environmental or Development Studies, or any other related field is required. Or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
• A minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in programme management, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement is required. • Experience working with government institutions, civil society, vulnerable groups, including Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs) and People with Disabilities (PWDs), and international development partners is required. • Demonstrated experience in Democratic Governance and Inclusive Transformation related focus area is required. • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required. • Experience of leading and supervising multidisciplinary teams is required. • Experience in programme management and policy development is desired. • Experience in design, implementation and/or evaluation of development projects is desired. • Experience and knowledge of UN/DP’s programming, including CPDs, CCAs, MSDCF, and various UN funding mechanisms is desired. • Familiarity with UN/UNDP systems, procedures, and programming frameworks is an asset. • Experience in working with multidisciplinary issues such as Governance, Climate Change, Local Development, Social Inclusion, Economic Transformation, Gender, Youth, Digitalization (is desired) or other development related field is a strong asset. • Working experience with UNDP or other UN or other regional/global organization is desired.
Language requirement
• Fluency in Dutch and English is required
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core : Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously
LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner
LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Management Portfolio Management Ability to select, prioritise 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
Business Direction and Strategy 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
2030 Agenda: Peace Governance Electoral Cycle Support
Partnership Management Resource mobilization Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs
(programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and
establish a plan to meet funding requirements
Legal Managing client relations The ability to interact with different levels of management and across different agencies and offices to obtain information, develop legal approaches and resolve issues, this skill includes liaison with counterparts and determining the best sequence in which to pursue an issue, where information, particularly for UNDP, may be across different independent UN agencies.
Finance Budget management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process,
drawing and management of team budgets
2030 Agenda: People Gender Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation
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.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
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.
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