Project Learning Environment Analyst (NPSA-8) - UNDP Moldova/Advancing Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All - 16760

Salariul lunar net: 34000 MDL - 42000 MDL

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Background
 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

During 2024 – 2027, UNDP and UNICEF will jointly implement the Project “Advancing Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All”, funded by the European Union. 

The overall objective of  the joint project Advancing Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All is to contribute to human capital development in the Republic of Moldova, improving quality and relevance of education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, for better matching the labor market demands. To achieve this, the Program will target the following specific objectives:

1.  Strengthen institutions and system for teacher and school leaders' professional development and support the implementation of education policies to enhance quality of teaching and learning (Development Strategy “Education 2030”.
2. Improve equitable access for all children to quality education, promoting the development of an inclusive, digital, and resilient education system. 
3. Upgrade learning environments through renovation of selected school infrastructures and facilitate the development of the 21st century skills, contributing to better education opportunities for pupils/students and improved efficiency of the school network.

Under this joint Project, UNDP will support professional development of teachers, promote life-long learning opportunities for adults, and be responsible for implementing interventions under the Specific Objective number 3 mentioned above, that aims at increasing quality, relevance, and efficiency of learning. More specifically, it will support Ministry of Education and Research in enhancing the learning environments and improving the teaching-learning conditions by setting up modern learning spaces, improvement of school infrastructure of 10 model/aspirational schools. It will also aim at redesigning existing STEEAM learning spaces to facilitate better learning, provision of modern technologies and teaching-learning resources and support the roadmaps for continuous development of digital learning space. The activities will ease the accessibility of students from remote areas to the model/ aspirational schools through access to transportation means and development of an integrated national system for school bus management. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Learning Environment Analyst will be part of the Project Management Team (PMT) and will, under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, be responsible for managing the successful implementation of the project activities. The Project Learning Environment Analyst will interact closely with short-term experts. The incumbent will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the project) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts. More specifically, he/she will:

• Ensure practical coordination of assigned areas of project activities to meet expected results, particularly related to improvement of the physical learning environment, development of digital solutions and private sector engagement.
•  Contribute to the annual activity and procurement work plans as well as budgets based on expected year end outputs. Ensure close monitoring of activities and disbursements.
• Design, plan and monitor project activities, under the supervision of the Project Manager. Ensure the high quality of the concept papers, terms of references, proposal outlines and agreements in close cooperation with service providers and/or grant recipients.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation systems. Establish a system of progress review with each of the implementing partners.
• Ensure timely submission of financial and activity reports by implementing partners and ensure harmonized reporting by recipients on key performance indicators.
• Ensure implementation activities are in alignment with UNDP policy and programme management procedures and all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows.
• Advise service providers and/or grant recipients on strategies to facilitate results-based implementation of project activities, and ensure constant feedback on quality of their implementation, suggesting corrective measures as necessary.
• Support the selection, capacity assessment, contracting, monitoring, evaluation and audit of recipients, ensuring compliance with UNDP regulations.
• Contribute to the preparation of qualitative work plans and financial progress reports as may be required by the Project Manager. Provide close support for the preparation of procurement/contracting and financial delivery reports for UNDP management. Timely submit the above-mentioned deliverables.
• Provide regular reports to the Project manager and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately.
• Contribute to the wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements. Support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels.
• Maintain close coordination with assigned project partners, helping at ensuring synergies and avoiding overlaps in project implementation.
• Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide. Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning.
• Support the organization of 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.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.
   

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

• 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
• Entrepreneurial Thinking
  • Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate
• Knowledge Facilitation
  • Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
• Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience 
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Human-centered design
  • Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process
• Design thinking 
  • Solving problems by putting people at the center, visualizing ideas and making them tangible in order to improve them through and iterative process of developing and testing.
  • Strong empathy skills, being able to put yourself “in someone else's shoes, understand needs, abilities, preferences, motivations, (everyday) experiences from different perspectives as well as their cultural, social, economical and political contexts.
  • Ability to identify and challenge assumptions, (cognitive and social) biases and dominant mental models by generating new perspectives and frames that help redefine the problem, solution and opportunity space.
  • Being able to work with incomplete information, ambiguity and opposing views, needs and constraints and synthesize them into solutions that are viable, technically feasible and useful.
• Digital product design 
  • Digital product design  - Ability to design digital products which are user-centered, intuitive, functional and achieve desired outcomes

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in education/pedagogy, business administration, economics, public policy, management, or other related fields is required. 
• Bachelor’s degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree.

Experience:

• Up to 2 years (with Master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive working experience of managing projects/initiatives in the field of education, business development, economics/employment, public policy, digitalization, and/or working in a relevant position to this post.

Required Skills:

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. 
• Knowledge and experience in relevant thematic areas such as the education/pedagogy, economics/employment, digitalization.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in networking and partnership development.
• Experience of working on project implementation for international organization, UN Agencies, development organization, consulting company, or NGO.
• Additional training and certification in project management would be an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in Romanian and English (written and spoken) is required.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova including Russian, Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Learning Environment Analyst contributes to the effective and efficient implementation of the activities related to improving learning environment, through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The incumbent applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Learning Environment Analyst works in close collaboration with the Project Team, and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery.

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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