Project Analyst (Democratic Governance) (Open to internal and external applicants)

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

NAIG Phase II builds on Phase I achievements to support Nauru’s democratic institutions and inclusive governance through a joined‑up approach across Parliament, Elections, Justice/Judiciary (incl. Law Society, Police, Corrections), Civil Registration (BDM/CRVS), and Civil Society engagement. Digital solutions, GESI (Gender Equality & Social Inclusion), and whole‑of‑government coordination are cross‑cutting enablers.

The project’s five outputs are:
1.    Parliament effectiveness in legislative, oversight, and citizen engagement
2.    Electoral processes strengthened for transparency, inclusion, and credibility
3.    Justice sector capacities enhanced for rights‑based access to justice
4.    Modernized and interoperable civil registration/legal identity systems
5.    Empowered civil society and inclusive engagement in governance

The Project  Analyst serves as the central coordinating role within the project, ensuring strategic coherence and timely delivery across all five outputs. This position provides technical support, facilitates integration of activities, and drives synergies within the NAIG Project. By aligning interventions with national priorities and partner commitments, the Analyst ensures that governance support to national partners are implemented effectively, resources are optimized, and results are achieved in a manner that promotes inclusive governance in Nauru.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the NAIG Project Manager, the Project  Analyst  is responsible for providing technical support and assisting the operational and management scope of governance-related activities in Nauru.  

The Project Analyst will play a key role in supporting the technical team to implement governance activities across all project outputs. The Project Analyst will coordinate stakeholder engagement, ensure compliance with UNDP standards and procedures, and provide programming and operational support to maintain coherence and timely delivery. In addition, the role will lead selected initiatives, contribute to strategic planning, and work closely with national partners to strengthen institutional capacity, advance democratic governance reforms, and promote inclusive, participatory approaches in Nauru.

This position is based in Fiji and will require frequent travel to Nauru.

Provision of Technical support

• Provide technical and coordination support working with key governance institutions in Nauru including Parliament, the Electoral Commission, Civil Registry and Vital Statistics (CRVS) and Justice partners
• Lead in drafting progress reports for UNDP and the donors 
• Draft Terms of Reference, Concept Notes and presentations
• Lead on selected governance activities in Nauru as assigned by the Project Manager 
• Support consultants during missions to Nauru 
• Participate in project activities (meetings, round tables, conferences, other public activities); preparation, implementation and follow up, take meeting minutes etc.
• Facilitate and provide full support to project monitoring, evaluation, and audit missions

Ensure Stakeholder Engagement

• Support Project Manager to coordinate programming with national partners including Parliament, Electoral Commission, Justice sector, BDM, and CSOs to strengthen collaboration and ownership
• Support civil society to ensure inclusive participation in programming and with other UN agencies in Nauru
•  Organize stakeholder meetings and document minutes
•  Foster strategic partnerships and maintain constructive relationships with key stakeholders by promoting dialogue, addressing emerging issues, and ensuring alignment with national priorities and UNDP’s mandate.

Provision of Project Management Support

• Contribute to the preparation of annual work plans and budgets
• Provide effective support on project procurement plan. 
• Effective management of consultants contracts, payments and extensions. Regularly update and maintain contracts database.
• Support timely procurement of goods and services, ensure compliance with processes, and maintain updated records ofcommitments, and expenditures. And other operational functions of the project
• Provide administrative and logistical support when required for activities including travel arrangements, workshop logistics, visas, etc. to the project staff

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing 

• 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.

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:

• Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy    

• Strategic Thinking. Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
• Business Acumen. Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.

Business Management    

• Partnerships Management. Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and
  others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Administration & Operations    

• Documents and records management. Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving.
• Travel contract management. Knowledge of policy and procedures related to contract management, incl. oversight of the Long Term Agreement (LTA) with the Travel Management Services (TMS) provider; UN airline agreement management covering all major and rail providers; ability to negotiate airline discounts.

Business Management    

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Governance, Public Administration, Political Science or equivalent is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the Master’s degree.
   

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant experience in the area of inclusive governance (parliament, elections, CSO support, justice or judiciary)

Required  skills:

• Experience and strong understanding on governance issues in the Pacific / Small Island Developing States including elections, parliament and /or justice and the judiciary
• Demonstrated experience working with key governance partners in the Pacific including governments, CSOs and/or development partners

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

• Experience  working on governance issues in resource-constrained environments with flexibility, initiative, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to organize high-level workshops, consultations, and study tours, including end-to-end coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in providing inputs and reviewing project reports for UN agencies and donors.
• Experience in UNDP or UN procurement and admin management rules.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in the English is required.
• Working knowledge of “local languages” will be considered as asset
   

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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