Programme Analyst (Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management)

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure.  Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country. 
Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks and crises that the world is facing and that calls for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated and systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

The Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management portfolio focuses on advancing Afghanistan’s climate resilience and energy sustainability in a fragile and under-developed context. The portfolio team works to influence climate change management strategies, adaptation plans, and address gaps in environmental assessments, greenhouse gas inventories, and hazard mapping. These efforts aim to create a comprehensive understanding of the country’s climate risks and vulnerabilities, paving the way for targeted interventions, technology transfer, and improved environmental governance. UNDP invests in a range of community-based infrastructure (dams, chek dams, irrigation systems, flood protection systems, afforestation initiatives, etc.) to enhance community resilience to climate change and natural hazards, and engages with local communities to develop disaster risk reduction frameworks and early warning systems. UNDP climate priorities align with UNSCR 2721 (2023).  

Given limited access to global climate funds, such as GCF and the Adaptation Fund, the portfolio team strives to lobby for and explore alternative financing avenues, including private sector engagement and innovative models like private partnerships to help mobilize resources. The team also advocates for donor collaboration to unlock critical funding from global vertical funds as well as traditional and non-traditional financing sources. The team addresses emerging priorities, including renewable energy and extractive industries, by working with a range of actors, including the private sector, and fostering partnerships to fill critical knowledge and resource gaps. Ultimately, the portfolio seeks to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions for Afghanistan’s adaptation and mitigation needs.

Position Purpose:

Under the guidance of the Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management Portfolio Manager and the direct supervision of the Deputy Portfolio Manager, the Programme Analyst is responsible for supporting the implementation and management of the UNDP programme/projects within the Climate Change, Energy, and Environmental Management Portfolio of UNDP in Afghanistan. The Programme Analyst  analyzes political, social,  economic, environmental, energy and climate change trends; leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme/projects activities within his/her Portfolio; and provides policy advice services.

The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the Country Office, 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.

• Contribute to analysis of the political, social, economic, environmental, energy and climate situation in the country; and provide inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP), project documents and other strategic documents.
• Contribute to operationalizing the UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
• Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness of CO business processes.
• Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.

Support effective management of the portfolio and its projects within the assigned thematic/sector areas focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation:

• Contribute to design and formulation of  CO projects and programmes within the portfolio, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee the portfolio implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas. Ensure that design and formulation of the portfolio considers societal risks and opportunities.
• Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned portfolio areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme/portfolio and project implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
• Supports the Office with the identification, selection, and management of Implementing and Responsible Parties, including performing applicable due diligence and capacity assessments.
• Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
• Ensure the effective use of data in portfolio and project implementation across the lifecycle; and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme and portfolio impact.
• Support trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
• Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses.
• Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including donor and corporate reports.
• Support the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to PAC; finalize contribution agreements; and determine required revisions.
• Provide inputs to the project and portfolio quality assurance and the Social and Environmental Screening

Support creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy:

• Support the development of partnerships with UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable), and civil society in assigned programme/thematic areas.  
• Help identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including joint programming.  
• Support the drafting/preparation and management of donor agreements
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to the Country Office resource mobilization efforts.
• Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Portfolio/Project documents, concept notes, proposals, and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects.

Provide top-quality advisory services and facilitate knowledge building and management:

• Identify policy-driven issues; codify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Help establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Support the implementation of relevant, high-impact advocacy with key partners.
• Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas.

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 the Programme Associate (G6) 

• 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 3

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

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:

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 - Effectiveness:

• Uphold portfolio and project quality against programmatic and Social and Environmental standards  Assurance