The Lab Coordination Unit is the component of the Lab that manages its operation and ensures the seamless running of the Lab. The Unit is responsible for engaging the Lab in consultation with the Regional Bureaus: activating Country Offices, embedding Operations Advisors, activating the Solutions Network, and facilitating Lab analysis, experimentation, and solutions mapping. Furthermore, one of the main roles of the Unit is to ensure smooth collaboration and coordination among the Lab Networks, the Country Offices, the Lab Advisory Board, the Lab Technical Guidance Group, and all SURGE Delivery Lab partners. The Lab Coordination Unit is led by the SURGE Delivery Lab Manager.
The Programme Analyst will work within the Lab Coordination Unit and will report to the SURGE Delivery Lab Manager. The Programme Analyst is responsible for the smooth functioning of the SURGE Delivery Lab and for ensuring the Lab’s interventions in its country office engagements are carried out successfully. The analyst will work closely with Lab consultants to perform analysis, identify operational bottlenecks and support the implementation of solutions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Coordinate the implementation of the Lab’s strategies in its Country Office Engagements:
Support the drafting and finalization of SURGE Delivery Lab Engagement Frameworks outlining the Lab’s engagement with each country office, in collaboration with country office senior management, SURGE Delivery Lab Manager, and the respective Operations Advisor.
Work with country office teams to identify actionable areas, identify deliverables and experts necessary for implementation.
Support the Lab’s Operations Advisor conduct analysis of CO delivery and operations capacities. Identify bottlenecks and challenges and ascertain delivery acceleration opportunities.
Support the SURGE Delivery Lab Manager pitch the Lab concept to potential clients, UNDP Country Directors, and senior management.
Coordinate and convene meetings between the SURGE Delivery Lab and Country office management; draft minutes for all meetings to share with participants.
Write up SURGE Delivery Lab strategies, and articulate identified bottlenecks and challenges in engaged country offices to share with CO and Crisis Bureau management.
Capture and communicate opportunities for experimentation and innovative solutions workshopped by the SURGE Delivery Lab team.
Write up formal updates on each of the CO engagements and the status of Lab activities there.
Manage SURGE Delivery Lab day-to-day activities:
Draft and finalize terms of references for required Lab activities, outlining specific deliverables and crisis contexts.
Manage engagement and contracting of Lab consultants. Identify relevant expertise from the GPN ExpRes Roster and manage end-to-end recruitment processes.
Coordinate Lab consultants and monitor progress of Lab activities in each country office engagement.
Document progress of all Lab activities on the Lab’s SharePoint site; track successes and challenges faced during each CO engagement. Ensure Lab consultants (Operations Advisors and Solutions Network consultants) record data, analysis, and any solutions implemented.
Coordinate with Lab Operations Advisors and help to expedite processes as necessary to speed up implementation of Lab interventions.
Ensure Country Support Management Team Regional Teams are kept abreast of Lab initiatives and interventions in their respective regions.
Facilitate payments made to Lab consultants.
Report to the SURGE Delivery Lab Manager and carry out ad-hoc requests as required.
Research and Analysis:
Perform research and analysis as necessary, and draft reports on various Crisis Bureau initiatives.
Support consultants execute their strategies and contribute to the successful outcome of each of the Lab’s engagements
Create and draft business processes and standard operating procedures using Microsoft Visio, to enhance key functions and processes in country offices and increase efficiency.
Support Lab consultants in writing up reports, strategies and other communications.
Collaborate with the Lab’s Communications Analysts to effectively present and document research and analysis undertaken.
Reporting and Communications:
Write and share reports on the Lab’s progress in its country offices: write the Lab’s quarterly and annual updates which are shared with the Lab’s governance board.
Create content and provide updates via Microsoft Teams for various UNDP audiences.
Ensure the SURGE Delivery Lab SharePoint site is kept up-to-date, including the interactive map, the country engagement progress tracker, the solutions network and any highlighted features.
Support the SURGE Delivery Lab Manager with presentations and reports to Crisis Bureau and GPN senior management.
Required Skills and Experience:
Min. Education requirements:
Master’s Degree in Economics, International Relations, International Development, Public Policy or similar fields or
Bachelor’s Degree with additional 2 years of experience can be accepted in lieu of Masters Degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience:
Experience in any relevant field with Masters Degree.
Bacehelors Degree with 2 years of experience in International Development of any other related field;
Required skills:
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and databases required;
Strong analytical and writing skills required;
Strong experience in research, research methodology and sampling;
Knowledge and application of Applications Tracking Software desirable; knowledge and application of Case and Contract Management Software also desirable;
Project management, and strong IT skills is also an advantage;
Experience with data and statistical software, e.g. STATA, is also an advantage.
Required Languages:
Proficiency in English both written and oral is required.
