Project Analyst for Innovation Development and Financing

Overview
Ensure the implementation of the project work plan and coordination with stakeholders.

You have:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Engineering, or Development Cooperation fields is required.
Bachelor’s degree in the aforementioned areas with additional 2 years experience will be considered in lieu of Master’s degree.
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in management/administration of cooperation projects.
Fluency in Spanish is required.
Basic knowledge of English (oral, written, and reading comprehension).
High sense of responsibility, good judgment, common sense, creativity and innovation, discretion.
Demonstrates high sensitivity and adaptability regarding issues of interculturality, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age.
Proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Contract
This is a NPSA-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement . It is normally only for nationals . It usually requires 1 years of experience , depending on education. More about NPSA-8 contracts .

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Details
Project description

Cuba has been undergoing a socio-economic transformation process since 2011, driven by legal, political, and institutional frameworks, and supported by the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) 2030 and the 2019 Constitution. This process aims to strengthen territorial governments, promote municipal autonomy, diversify economic activities and financial sources, foster public-private partnerships, and incorporate equitable processes.

The project, funded by the European Union and coordinated with the French Development Agency (AFD), supports Cuban well-being through a dynamic economy that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and access to international markets. It emphasizes inclusion and gender equality among new economic actors.

The specific objectives include: strengthening the innovation system (OE1), increasing the creation and performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially those led by women (OE2), expanding access to finance (OE3), and increasing integration into international markets (OE4). These are being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and AFD.

The main beneficiaries are new economic actors, MSMEs, public and private entities, and institutions related to key sectors such as sustainable agri-food, renewable energy, technology, and the circular economy. Government institutions, commercial banks, and other financial institutions are also included.

The initiative has national reach, prioritizing territories with potential identified in previous projects. It adopts a holistic approach encompassing regulatory aspects, taxation, inclusive credit, productive innovation, and environmentally sustainable management, promoting the empowerment of women and youth.

To ensure effectiveness, several strategic pillars are highlighted: building consensus among local and national stakeholders, developing technical capacities, launching transparent calls for proposals, jointly approving actions, phased implementation, territorial and sectoral diversification, socioeconomic inclusion and a gender perspective, continuous evaluation, and communication of results. These elements aim to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of the interventions, generating lasting positive impacts on Cuba’s economic and social development.

Scope of work

Ensure the implementation of the project’s Work Plan, from the coordination stage, particularly regarding the following topics:

Ensure the proper functioning of the results under your care, ensuring compliance with the planning, the logic of the intervention, the work schedule and the financial execution agreed between the UNDP, the government and the donors.
Ensure compliance with corporate policy, rules and procedures for the implementation of cooperation projects.
Define work strategies and the appropriate organizational structure, ensuring and promoting effective teamwork and the achievement of results.
Contribute to the development of annual work plans, ensuring that the planned activities lead to the achievement of the expected results.
Ensure the availability of information for donor reports, ensuring compliance with the agreements between UNDP and donors.
Ensure the proper planning and financial management of projects and their budgets.
Monitor the procurement process and provide timely alerts of potential delays.
Comply with the M&E policy established by the UNDP, making proper use of the Quantum operating system.
To fulfill the actions required for the monitoring and evaluation of projects, delivering the information in a timely and efficient manner, alerting of possible obstacles and proposing solutions.
Keep programmatic monitoring records up to date in the Quantum system.
Collaborate effectively with national and local counterparts to ensure the preparation of quarterly and annual reports, in accordance with UNDP and donor standards.
Ensure adequate monitoring of the project, at the national and local levels, by designing and implementing the necessary monitoring plans.
Conduct regular missions in the territories to monitor the actors who benefit from the actions developed in the project and hold meetings with local actors.
Monitoring of the audit processes that are carried out and the action plans that result from them.
Keep financial budgets up-to-date, ensuring their quality and compliance with existing regulations.
Promote synergy with other results from other projects in the area and the office.
Strengthen the alliance with strategic national and local actors to achieve the objectives of the projects.
Support the integration of the gender component and the inclusion and participation approach in the actions implemented within the framework of the projects, ensuring their proper monitoring and reporting.
Prepare and transmit project information as required by UNDP, including information related to the contribution to the Cooperation Programme and UNS report.
Ensure timely and efficient communication and visibility of projects, as well as formulate new and innovative proposals that contribute to the mobilization of new resources.

The holder performs other functions within their functional profile that are considered necessary for the efficient operation of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Agreement

The Project Analyst for innovation development and financing will work directly under the supervision of the “New Economic Actors” Project Coordinator, who in turn reports to the Program Officer coordinating the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) area. They will be part of a six-person team, comprised of a Project Coordinator, two Program Analysts, a Project Associate for Finance, and two Project Associates for Procurement and Logistics. They will also work closely with other STI Program Officers and the Program Analyst for Development Finance. Furthermore, they will coordinate with the Program Coordinator and collaborate with the team of Program and Project Officers.

Skills

Essential skills
ACHIEVEMENT OF RESULTS – LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to detail, delivers quality work within established limits.
INNOVATIVE THINKING – LEVEL 1: Is open to creative ideas/known risks, solves problems pragmatically, and makes improvements.
CONTINUOUS LEARNING – LEVEL 1: Has an open mind and curiosity, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
ADAPT WITH AGILITY – LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, handles ambiguity/uncertainty constructively, is flexible.
ACT WITH DETERMINATION – LEVEL 1: Shows determination and commitment, able to respond calmly to adversity, confident.
COMMITMENT AND PARTNERSHIP – LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
PROMOTES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION – LEVEL 1: Appreciates/respects differences, recognizes unconscious biases, confronts discrimination.

Cross-cutting skills
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

KNOWLEDGE GENERATION: Ability to research information and transform it into useful or relevant knowledge for a given need. Skill in applying existing concepts and developing new concepts to generate workable solutions and novel approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be used to address new situations.
HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN: The ability to develop solutions to problems by incorporating the human perspective at all stages of the problem-solving process. Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of human-centered design.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programs, and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION: Ability to systematically monitor the outcomes of strategies, programs, and activities to ensure they are being implemented effectively; ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular information and reports on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and program management and outcomes. Ability to make independent judgments about the management and outcomes of strategies, programs, and activities based on established criteria and benchmarks, taking into account the needs and concerns of current and future clients. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make independent judgments based on established criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate future client needs and concerns.
Technical skills
ETHICS

KNOWLEDGE OF UN POLICIES – ETHICS: Knowledge and understanding of United Nations personnel regarding regulations, standards and other policies related to ethics and integrity.
LEGALKNOWLEDGE OF THE APPLICABLE LEGAL FRAMEWORK: Understanding of the legal norms applied at the United Nations in general and at UNDP in particular. This includes an understanding of UNDP’s structure, functioning, and operations within the United Nations system and the application of international treaties, including the UN Charter, General Assembly resolutions, the relevant Basic Country Assistance Agreement, and legal instruments across the UN system, as well as an understanding of UNDP’s internal legal framework (regulations, financial rules, policies, and procedures).
EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND LEGAL PRACTICE

ALLIANCE MANAGEMENT: Ability to interact with a wide range of public and private actors, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relationships, trust and mutual understanding.
Required skills and experience

Education
Advanced university studies (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences (Economics, Business, Social Sciences and Humanities), as well as in fields of engineering or development cooperation, are required, or
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualified experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Years of relevant work experience
Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study do not need to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) must have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the management/administration of cooperation projects.

Additional requirements
Abilities to organize and manage institutional alliances.
High sense of responsibility, good judgment, common sense, creativity and innovation, discretion.
Analytical ability to prepare reports and propose strategic alternatives to achieve results.
Demonstrates and displays high sensitivity and adaptability, without personal prejudices, regarding issues of: interculturality, gender, religion, race, nationality and age.
being able to demonstrate in practice a high level of respect for diversity.
Proficiency in the Office suite: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Desirable skills and competencies
Possess experience and knowledge in the implementation and monitoring of international cooperation projects.
Capabilities for collaboration with institutions in the areas of finance, microfinance, microcredit, banking; as well as participation in technical work for the proposal of financing mechanisms for ventures and the private sector.
Experience working with the United Nations system or other multilateral or bilateral international cooperation agencies is considered an added value.
Programming, planning, results-oriented work, and self-organization skills.
Knowledge of the Cuban national banking system and its financing mechanisms.
Ability to work in a team and to assume roles of coordinating assigned tasks within their area.
Demonstrates ability to work under minimal supervision, is proactive and demonstrates initiative.
Demonstrate integrity by putting the values ​​and ethical standards of the United Nations into practice.
Good communication and ability to interact with the counterpart.
Ability to work under pressure and as part of a team.
Excellent sense of customer service orientation and the organization’s work results.
Ability to adapt flexibly and proactively to change and to spread a positive attitude towards your team.

Languages
Fluency in the Spanish language is a requirement.
Basic knowledge of the English language (oral, written and reading interpretation).

Trips

The Analyst, in coordination with the National Project Officer, will organize and participate in visits to project intervention areas, as planned, to substantively support activities and monitor progress toward expected results and indicators. They may also accompany other visits as required by UNDP and donors.

Equal Opportunities As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values ​​diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures in which we operate and, as such, we invite all qualified candidates from different backgrounds to apply for the various roles in our organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the position, without discrimination of any kind.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all staff are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive and benefit from employment opportunities open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of power: UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, or abuse of power. Therefore, all selected candidates undergo thorough vetting and are expected to adhere to the relevant 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 for this position for other similar positions within UNDP at the same level with similar job descriptions, experience requirements, and academic qualifications.

Scam alert: UNDP does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment processes. For more information, visit www.undp.org/scam-alert .
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