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Programme Analyst (open to 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
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office in the Kingdom of Bahrain operates within the context of a high-income, net-contributing country, where UNDP engagement is fully funded through government cost-sharing and aligned with national development priorities. Bahrain is implementing an ambitious national reform agenda under Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Government Programme (2023–2026), with a strong focus on economic diversification, fiscal sustainability, effective governance, environmental resilience, digital transformation, and inclusive human development. As a net contributor country, UNDP Bahrain maintains a lean operational footprint while delivering high-value technical assistance, policy advisory services, and innovation-driven solutions in support of national priorities.
UNDP Bahrain’s programme is guided by the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025–2029, approved by the UNDP Executive Board in January 2025, and is fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029. The financial envelope for the 2025–2029 Country Programme Document (CPD) is structured around a total estimated cost of US 2.5 million for Economic Prosperity (Outcome 1) and US 5 million for Environmental Sustainability (Outcome 3). As of late 2025, the Country Office manages seven ongoing projects with a total remaining budget of approximately US$ 1.8 million. These initiatives are distributed across the three CPD outcomes: Outcome 1 (Economic Prosperity) and Outcome 3 (Environmental Sustainability) each account for about 37–38% of the project count, while Outcome 2 (Governance) makes up the remaining 25%. Notable projects Youth Leadership Program, King Hanad Ward for SDGs, National Human Development Report in partnership with DERASAT. A new generation of projects is expected to be developed under this Outcome.
The CPD positions UNDP as a trusted strategic partner to the Government of Bahrain, contributing to UNSDCF outcomes through integrated, multi-sectoral interventions that address complex development challenges at the intersection of economic prosperity, governance and human rights, and environmental sustainability. Under the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025–2029, UNDP Bahrain’s engagement is structured around three interrelated CPD pillars:
(i) Economic prosperity and sustainable livelihoods;
(ii) Effective governance, human rights, and access to justice; and
(iii) Environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
These pillars reflect national priorities under Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Government Programme (2023–2026), and constitute UNDP’s substantive contribution to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029.
To ensure coherence, integration, and efficient delivery within a lean Country Office structure, the Bahrain CO operationalizes the three CPD pillars through two integrated programme clusters. The first cluster brings together economic transformation, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental sustainability , The second cluster focuses on governance, human rights, access to justice, and social inclusion .
This two-cluster delivery model enables the Country Office to manage complexity, promote synergies across CPD pillars, and apply a portfolio approach to programme design, implementation, and partnerships. Staff are therefore expected to work across thematic boundaries, contribute to integrated solutions, and support joint programming within the UN system, while ensuring results-based management, quality assurance, and alignment with national and UNSDCF priorities.
Under the direct supervision of the Transition Manager (P4) and overall guidance of the Resident Representative and in close collaboration with the rest of the Country Office programme team, the Programme Analyst - Governance, Human Rights and Social Inclusion (GHRSI) will manage the oversight, accountability, and coordination of this programme area.
The Programme Analyst is therefore entrusted with:
- Contributing to setting the strategic direction of the area and the overarching UNDP Country Office programme as it related to this thematic area.
- Aiding in the management and coordination of the programme portfolio and team.
- Forging and growing broad-based strategic partnerships, support to resource mobilization and strategic expansion.
- Provision of quality policy advice services to the Government and other relevant stakeholders, and facilitation of dynamic learning and knowledge that informs strategic programming and fuels programmatic impact.
The Programme Analyst leads the Governance, Human Rights, and Social Inclusion cluster, providing strategic oversight and leadership to strengthen Bahrain's governance systems and rule of law. The role focuses on capacity building for judiciary and law enforcement, promoting gender equality. Additionally, the Analyst is responsible for fostering civic participation platforms for youth and women, managing partnerships with civil society and academia, and driving resource mobilization to ensure the portfolio's long-term sustainability.
S/he endeavors to integrate the GHRSI cluster with the Economic Prosperity and Environment unit by fostering institutional innovation and evidence-based public sector management to support a responsive digital economy. This cross-cutting collaboration focuses on aligning digital transformation policies with international human rights standards and inclusive participation frameworks. Together, both clusters leverage data-driven policy and statistical capacity building to ensure that innovation pipelines remain equitable and leave no one behind
The incumbent also works in strong collaboration with the Regional Hub in Amman, as well as other regional and global UNDP Hubs, and professional and knowledge networks.
UNDP personnel are expected to embrace innovative thinking and work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams that actively connect knowledge and skills around issues to ensure higher programmatic coherence and drive transformative changes.
The incumbent is expected to display innovation, problem solving, trouble shooting, active initiative, and a strong client orientation that encourages and rewards excellence in programme delivery and implementation. S/he might be required to undertake emerging tasks and additional duties as requested by senior management.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Contribute to analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; and contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents.
- Contribute to operationalizing UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
- Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness of CO business processes.
- Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.
- Provides input into the integrated design of new development interventions (e.g., projects, etc.).
- Liaises with national and international partners, etc. in strategic programme areas of cooperation.
- Engages with colleagues in the Amman Regional Hub and Headquarters to apply in country programming new global and regional initiatives, polices and knowledge products that further the Governance, Human Rights and Social Inclusion programme.
- Contribute to design and formulation of CO programme, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas. Ensure that design and formulation of programme considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals.
- Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
- Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
- Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.
- Support trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
- Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses.
- Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including donor and corporate reports.
- Support the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to PAC; finalize contribution agreements; and determine required revisions.
- Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable to CO), and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas.
- Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including joint programming.
- Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts.
- Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals, and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects.
- Facilitates regular coordination and integration across programme thematic areas and different thematic teams within UNDP Bahrain to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to the Governance, Human Rights and Social Inclusion Thematic area.
- Continuously stimulates and leads by example a culture of innovative thinking, “out-of-the box” approaches, cross-thematic collaboration and dynamic learning among the entire Governance, Human Rights and Social Inclusion Thematic area Programme team, as well as with the UNDP team and external stakeholders.
- Facilitates and promotes dynamic learning, sensemaking and generation of intelligence that help more impactful implementation, programming and decision-making within the Governance, Human Rights and Social Inclusion thematic area team.
- Based on a forward-looking programmatic perspective, continuously identifies strategic capacity gaps and needs within the Governance, Human Rights and Social Inclusion thematic area programme team and facilitates regular advancement of capabilities and skills.
- Self-advances knowledge and skills, readily learns from internal and external stakeholders, as well as embraces and promotes new development thinking and approaches.
- Works with the Strategic Innovation Unit in GPN to design and apply innovative solutions and approaches that can accelerate system change.
- Engages actively and encourages the programme team to access regional and global knowledge networks and communities of practitioners to learn and contribute to UNDP knowledge-sharing.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. Under exigencies of service, backstop the Programme Analyst in other thematic area.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: One Programme Associate.
Competencies
Achieve Results:
Think Innovatively:
Learn Continuously
Adapt with Agility
Engage and Partner
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies :
Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas.
Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
Ability to select, priorities and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment.
Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, International Development Political, Social Science, Social Affairs, Law, International Relations 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.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in thematic area of Governance, Human Rights and Social Inclusion is required.
- Experience at the national level in providing policy and substantive advisory services is required.
- Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is required.
- Proven experience in handling coordination among various professionals and regional teams is required.
- Track record of engagement with United Nations, other development actors or donors is required.
- Experience in integrated programming with good knowledge of UNDP's corporate policies and programmes is desirable.
- Strong familiarity with ERP systems, especially in programme management functionalities is an asset.
- Experience in resource mobilization is an asset.
- Experience in project/programme risk management is an advantage.
- Experience in supporting resilient livelihoods and /or sustainable economic development related programmes/projects is an asset.
Language requirements:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required.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.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
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
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