Programme Analyst

United Nations Development Programme

Background

UNDP, as the UN's global development network, is at the forefront of climate action and sustainable Development. Through the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub (ASFH), UNDP drives transformative change in carbon markets and climate finance across the continent.

The Africa Sustainable Finance Hub of UNDP serves as a center of excellence, supporting African nations in accessing carbon markets, climate finance opportunities through the operationalizing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement while ensuring sustainable development benefits.

Through targeted technical assistance, the Hub empowers both government institutions and private sector entities to develop and implement bankable projects that can access premium prices in global carbon markets. The Hub's expertise extends to strengthening the national institutional and regulatory frameworks, helping governments align their carbon market mechanisms with international standards. Additionally, the Hub provides comprehensive support to ensure African countries can effectively participate in international carbon trading while maintaining environmental integrity.

Recognizing the imperative for climate action, UNDP has positioned the ASFH as a key facilitator in global carbon markets. The Hub focuses on building market readiness through targeted capacity development and fostering a robust project pipeline.

By cultivating strategic partnerships with development partners, financial institutions, and technical experts, the ASFH creates an enabling environment for successful carbon market participation. The Hub actively mobilizes resources to support climate action and green transitions, with particular emphasis on vulnerable communities. 

Drawing on UNDP's global expertise, the Hub guides African nations from preparatory stages to full engagement in carbon trading mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris agreement. 

Through standardized crediting methodologies and robust project development frameworks, UNDP enables African nations to secure competitive carbon prices in global markets. The initiative strengthens measurement and verification systems while catalyzing public-private collaboration to accelerate climate action at scale.

UNDP-ASFH seeks a Programme Analyst to support carbon market initiatives through programme management, private sector engagement, partnership building, and knowledge development for advancing sustainable development financing across Africa.

Position Purpose

The Programme Analyst will support the Regional Carbon Market Programme Specialist to evaluate projects for ITMO generation potential, conduct policy analysis, and provide strategic guidance on carbon market engagement. This role will strengthen technical capacity of national stakeholders through knowledge sharing and training initiatives, while developing partnerships for resource mobilization and climate action implementation.

The position holder will manage donor relationships, prepare progress reports, and create knowledge products to enhance sector awareness. They will support coordination between public and private stakeholders while monitoring carbon market trends and opportunities for African nations. This role is crucial for developing and implementing strategies that position African countries in the growing carbon market while advancing sustainable development goals.

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Technical Leadership

- Lead carbon market opportunity assessments
- Conduct the feasibility studies
- Support Article 6 implementation and readiness programs
- Develop carbon pricing mechanisms and methodologies
- Analyze carbon credit standards and verification processes
- Develop Terms of reference to hire companies and individuals to boost capacity in carbon market and related projects
 
2.) Programme Management

- Manage carbon market project portfolio
- Monitor implementation progress and results
- Prepare technical and financial reports and workplans
- Track performance indicators and project metrics
- Supporting the UNDP country offices in screening carbon market projects
 
3.) Partnerships & Resource Mobilization

- Engage private sector stakeholders and investors
- Conduct due diligence process
- Build public-private partnerships for carbon projects
- Support resource mobilization strategies
- Coordinate with development partners and donors
- Develop concept notes and pitches for resources mobilization
 
4.) Support Coordination with Development Partners

- Ensure compliance with UNDP procedures for partnerships including development of all required legal documents for partnership agreements including letters of agreement memorandums of understanding, etc. monitoring compliance with agreements and ensuring value for money
- Coordinate and prepare ad hoc thematic and substantive reports/briefing notes/briefs
- Ensure project communications activities in close collaboration with ASFH Communications team
 
5.) Knowledge Management

- Document best practices and lessons learned
- Develop communication material from the Opinion Pieces, success stories on the work of ASFH
- Develop and share capacity building materials and tools
- Support regional knowledge exchange platforms
- Contribute to learning initiatives and training/workshop programs
- Draft the MOUs and other agreement with partners and donor's.
 
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core 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 (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management & Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Business Management & Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management & Portfolio 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 and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Business Management & Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Business Management & Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

Business Direction 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: Engagement & Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in climate change, climate and development, sustainability, environmental science, energy economics, or related field is required OR A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

- Minimum 2 years (Master's degree ) or 4 years (Bachelor's degree ) of relevant work experience in: Carbon market mechanisms and trading, climate finance and investments, project/programme management is required.
- Experience in partnership building and resource mobilization, private sector engagement and collaboration is required.
- Prior experience in stakeholder coordination is desirable. 
- Extensive knowledge and experience in African context in climate change and energy is desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing renewable energy or energy efficiency projects that have successfully generated carbon credits or other forms of mitigation outcomes is desirable. 
- Proven track record in navigating international carbon standards (e.g., CDM, Gold Standard, VCS) and understanding of Article 6 mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, including experience with project validation and verification processes is a requirement.
- Experience with the Private sector is desirable.
- Excellent Knowledge of English is required.
- Knowledge of French is desirable.

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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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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