Science & Research Jobs in Brasília, Brazil (Now Hiring) — 13 open

Tier Decription
Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026
Tier 1: Other UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates”
 

Office/Unit/Project Description

As all countries around the globe are seeking new ways to address complex and interconnected challenges such as shocks from crises, economic stagnation, inequality, and poverty providing access to clean and affordable energy, protect the environment, or mitigating and adapting to climate change. UNDP aims to develop integrated responses to these issues. UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to multi-lateral and bi-lateral partnerships, UNDP provides countries with specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme/project formulation and implementation, capacity development, policy advice, advocacy, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.

The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Brazil is a key development partner of the Brazilian government and supports national and sub-national public and private sector institutions and civil society to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive society by strengthening democratic institutions, improvement of governance effectiveness, reduction of poverty and inequalities and addressing climate change and biodiversity issues. In this context, to meet specific country needs and demands, the CO in Brazil has designed a programme portfolio that includes three mutually reinforcing work streams crafted around three teams:

• Inclusive Socio-economic Development: poverty reduction, social policies livelihoods public-private partnerships, inclusive markets and growth.
• Environmentally Sustainable Development: nature-based solutions for development, climate change, energy efficiency, management of chemical substances, among others.
• Governance and Justice for Development: prevention of violence, justice, transparency, anti-corruption, human rights, local capacity development

The Environmentally Sustainable Development team is clustered into the larger Programme Team and works in an integrated manner with the Governance and Inclusive Socio-Economic Development teams in anchoring UNDP’s Programme portfolio in Environmental and Sustainable Developed areas by providing thought leadership and enabling innovation and cross-cutting development solutions that are amplified by UNDP knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) and of the Assistant Resident Representative for Programme (ARRP), and under the direct supervision of Cluster Leader, the Programme Analyst is responsible for the management of a portfolio within the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit; provides analyses on political, social and economic trends; leads formulation, management and evaluation of Programme activities within his/her portfolio; and provides policy advice services.

The Programme Analyst also applies solutions-oriented approaches, supervises, and leads programme support staff, and coordinates activities of projects’ staff. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in UNDP and other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society, ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

Scope of Work

a. Ensures implementation of Programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other corporate documents.
• Analysis and synthesis of proposals on the areas for support and interventions within the practice area specialization assigned.

b. Participates in effective management of the CO programme within the practice area specialization assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country Programme achieving the following results:

• Design and formulation of some parts of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions.
• Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, project oversight, closure of projects through review, participates in recruitment processes when necessary.
• Application of conceptual models in support of programme design.
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
• Participation in audit of projects.
• Preparation of inputs for reporting, including donor reporting.

c. Supports creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

d. Provides top quality advisory services to the Government and ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.
• Professional growth through active learning.

e. Supports the effective management and coordination of programme planning and implementation:

• Contributes to budget planning, preparation and revision processes, ensuring alignment between work plans and available financial resources.
• Monitors budget execution and delivery rates, identifying variances, risks and proposing corrective actions as needed.
• Supports the preparation of financial forecasts and expenditure reports, in line with UNDP rules and procedures.
• Assists in resource mobilisation efforts and the tracking of funding agreements, ensuring proper financial follow-up and compliance.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Project.

Institutional Arrangement

The Programme Analyst will be directly supervised by the Coordinator of the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit.

Competencies

Core

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

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

BUSINESS DIRECTION & STRATEGY Systems 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

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Results-based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

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.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Resource Management

Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity.

2030 AGENDA: PLANET Nature Ecosystems and Biodiversity

 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Environment, Management, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or related field is required, or

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services on environmental issues and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of sustainable development projects in Brazil, preferably in the environment and/or climate change fields.

Required skills and competencies

• Experience in identification and communication on relevant information on environmental issues based on hands-on experience in design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of sustainable development projects.
• Experience in information technology and applies it in work assignments

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

• Experience in implementation of traditional people and/or community-based projects in Brazil.
• Experience in programme/project management within the UN system or other international development organisations.
• Experience with international environmental funds policies and operations such as GEF and GCF.
• Experience in resource mobilisation, donor engagement and preparation of funding proposals or donor reports.
• Experience in partnership building with government institutions, development partners and/or civil society organisations.
• Experience in UNDP financial rules, policies and procedures, including budgeting, delivery monitoring and audit processes.
• Experience in producing high-quality written outputs such as reports, briefs, concept notes.
• Experience using RMB tools.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in Portuguese and English is required.
• Working knowledge of other UN language is desirable.

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.

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