Job Description
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results. UNDP has been present in Malawi since 1964. Working closely with the Government of Malawi, civil society and the private sector, UNDP’ s work aims to contribute to economic growth, sustainable environmental management, and democratic governance and accountability in Malawi. UNDP’s Country Programme Document is closely aligned to the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MDGS III) and supports Malawi’s aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. UNDP ‘s programme is designed to address the interlinked issues of poverty, inequality and vulnerability to shocks and is managed within two portfolios: Responsive Institutions and Citizen Engagement which works towards strengthening effective, accountable and inclusive governance that promotes civic engagement, respect for human rights, rule of law, peace and democracy. It also works towards strengthening data generation and analysis. Resilience and Sustainable Growth which focusses on enhancing economic innovation, inclusive business, job creation, and renewable energy access. It also works towards helping Malawi adapt to climate change and build resilience to disasters.
Context
The UNDP Accelerator Labs (AccLabs) Accelerator Labs | United Nations Development Programme (undp.org) are the largest and fastest learning Network on sustainable development challenges. UNDP’s Accelerator Labs were built in 2019 to influence the way UNDP does development by learning what works and what doesn’t in sustainable development to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in time. Because of the speed, dynamics and complexity of today’s challenges we’re not progressing fast enough, and current development practices must keep up with the pace of change. We have 91 Labs covering 115 countries which are embedded in UNDP’s global policy teams and country offices. The Accelerator Labs are designed to close the gap between the current practices of international development and the accelerated pace of change. Each Lab is comprised of three team members: Head of Solutions Mapping, Head of Experimentation, and Head of Exploration, each possessing unusual skillsets. UNDP AccLab Malawi UNDP Malawi Accelerator Lab | United Nations Development Programme is one of the labs in Africa working within UNDP and supporting UNDP partners in government, CSOs and communities on accelerating learning, creating actionable intelligence and testing solutions Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Solutions Mapping, the Programme support Analyst supports the Accelerator lab team in overall implementation of project activities. The Programme support Analyst liaises with programme, procurement and administration teams in financial support to the lab, support effective delivery of activities, support organization of events and missions. The Incumbent supports the three portfolios of Exploration, Experimentation and Solutions Mapping in developing ethnographic research, data collection and analysis on innovation adoption, replication and scale up.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of [Head of Solutions Mapping] or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Programme support Analyst will:
1. Support effective solutions mapping, reporting, validation and elevation
• Liaise with community youth scouts, media houses and universities to identify solutions for development challenges.
• Regularly update a database of solutions and create patterns which can be used for further exploration or experimentation.
• Contribute to writing of ethnographic research proposals.
• Manage coding of data and data analysis using MAxQDA or Nvivo.
• Produce reports on analyzed data and contribute to writing presentation for sharing research findings.
• Monitor public media sources (both traditional and new media platforms) on a daily basis to capture innovation related issues as well as how innovation is embedded in people’s lives.
• Identify possible areas for partnership with innovators or local organizations, universities, research institutions engaged in innovation etc, whenever there is entry points. • Contribute to blogs on sensing, solutions mapping and experimentation.
2. Provides financial support to the lab, support effective delivery of projects, support organization of events, missions focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Support financial operations by ensuring compliance with UNDP policies and procedures for judicious management of assets, resources, and personnel.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved voucher.
• Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas.
• Review of NEX projects financial reports; preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects.
• Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers. Preparation of vouchers and requisitions for development projects.
• Support to project asset management including acquisition, verification and disposal of projects’ physical assets in accordance with policies and procedures (and travel in Malawi where required). Oversight of disposal of items and accuracy of asset and inventory data
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in ethnography or qualitative research methodologies would be a plus.
• Previous experience of working on data and statistics would be a plus.
• Understanding of the social, economic, institutional and political environment in Malawi.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to speak English and Chichewa fluently.
• Knowledge of PRA and other community engagement tools.
• Ability to analyze trends and write technical reports.
• Knowledge of computer programs, including Microsoft Word, Access and Excel, knowledge of data analysis programs like Nvivo, MaxQDA would be a plus.
Area(s) of expertise
Development programmes
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Chichewa, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Social Work, Development Studies, Communication, Management Information Systems or any relevant field.
Competencies and values
• Integrity:
• Teamwork and respect for diversity
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Planning and organizing
• Communication
• Flexibility
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. Link to the entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy