Programme Analyst (Open to Tier 0, 1 &… at United Nations · La Habana

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

 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cuba works closely with the Government and other national stakeholders to support the country’s national development priorities in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved the new Country Programme Document for Cuba, which will guide the agency’s cooperation with the country from 2026 to 2030.

The areas of focus include economic recovery and productive transformation, environmental management and disaster risk reduction, social protection programs and services, and the strengthening of institutions and modernization of public administration.

Strategic themes addressed by this roadmap include development financing, including environmental aspects; efforts to achieve robust statistics, with an emphasis on integrated vulnerability measurement; capacity building for macroeconomic management; and digital transformation with equity, with particular attention to implementation of services for the population.

The Programme promotes developing capacities for decentralization, ICT usage to digital transformation, low-carbon models in sectors and communities, targeted support for vulnerabilities, as well as a broad health and development approach.

Other topics reflected include nature-positive and low-carbon development, adoption of circularity principles, a just energy transition, risk management, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, preparedness and response, food security, social protection, equity and non-discrimination, and care services.

The Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.

 

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the ARR(P) or Programme Specialist, the Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends and participates in the formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within assigned portfolio and thematic area.

The Programme Analyst may supervise and lead programme support 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, external specialists, and government partners 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 the formulation and implementation of programme strategies and policies.
Example of Duties:	Provide inputs to thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; provides collaborative 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) and other strategic documents. Provide inputs to operationalize 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 CO business processes.  Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.
2.)  Participate in 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.
Example of Duties:	Provide input to design and formulation of CO programmes, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas. Ensure that design and formulation of programme considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals. Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards. Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results. Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and support effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.  Provide inputs to trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming. Support preparation for audits and the implementation of management responses. Prepare inputs for reporting, 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.
3.)  Support creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the CO resource mobilization strategy.
Example of Duties:	Support development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable to CO), and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas.    Provide input in Identifying strategic programme areas of cooperation, including for joint programming.  Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and support Country Office resource mobilization efforts. Contribute to development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects.
4.)  Support Provision of top-quality advisory services to the Government and facilitate knowledge building and management.
Example of Duties:	Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and compile best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals. Support establishment and strengthening of national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.  Support development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.  Ensure that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account.  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 programme areas.

 

 

V. Requirements:

Education

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, 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, Knowledge, and Skills

 

• Up to 2 years (with master’s degree) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects within assigned thematic area.   
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.

 

Language requirements

• Fluency in the UN language of the duty station is required.
• Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local staff.
• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Desirable criteria

• Work experience in an international organization and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures.
• Project management.

Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

 

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

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies) 

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
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, priorities 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	Risk Management	Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
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 Development	Knowledge Generation	Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness	Effectiveness	Project Quality Assurance

 

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.

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

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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