Programme Analyst – African Young Women Leader’s fellowship Programme (AfYWL) Full Time NEW

Background

UNDP through the Regional Programme promotes political participation and leadership among women; their economic empowerment; and their engagement in peace and security. UNDP works to advance gender equality and empower women as agents of change and leaders in the development processes that shape their lives towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient world. Gender equality and women’s empowerment is integrated in the organization’s work in promoting sustainable development pathways, inclusive and effective governance systems and resilience building. UNDP’s framework for engagement is drawn from the four interconnected pathways identified in the Africa Human Development Report (2016) on accelerating gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa: a) supporting implementation of existing legal reforms for improved gender equality; b) engaging women in decision-making at all levels, including in conflict resolution and peace consolidation; c) eliminating discriminatory social institutions that block women’s health and education; and d) providing equitable access to economic, financial and natural resources.

To this end, UNDP’s Regional Project (2022-2025) provides dedicated support to the African Union’s commitment to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa including strengthening African Union Commission’s Institutional capacity to advocate and support members’ states to promote women leadership, participation, representation, and participation in decision making processes. The African Young Women Leaders Fellowship (AfYWL) Programme, launched in July 2019, is a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union Commission (AUC). This flagship programme reflects the commitment of both organizations to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa.

The African Young Women Leaders Fellowship (AfYWL) Programme has evolved through several cohorts. The Inaugural Cohort (2019-2020) included 21 fellows from 20 countries across 13 locations, following an induction in Addis Ababa. The Second Cohort (2022-2023) expanded to 38 fellows from 22 countries, deployed to 26 locations. The 3rd cohort (2024-2025) of the AfYWL completed its journey in March 2025 and a new cohort (4th cohort 2025- 2026) will come onboard this year. It is against this background that UNDP Regional Service center for Africa through the Regional Programme seek to recruit a Programme Analyst to support in the coordination and day to day implementation of the AfYWL fellowship programme. He/she will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator and working closely with the AfYWL Coordination Analyst and the programme and operations team to ensure successful implementation of the AfYWL Fellowship Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Planning and Coordination:

• Provide support for onboarding activities for subsequent cohorts of the AfYWL Fellowship Programme, ensuring smooth integration and alignment with programme objectives;
• Assist in managing the AfYWL Fellowship Network Platform to enhance engagement and coordination among fellows, alumni, and stakeholders;
• Support the planning and facilitation of Advisory Board meetings, including preparation of materials, coordination of logistics, and documentation of key decisions;
• Support in developing the project document for the Fellowship Programme 2026–2029, ensuring alignment with the Regional Programme Document and UNDP strategic policies.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships:

• Support the organization and preparation of meetings with internal and external stakeholders, consolidating discussions, decisions, and follow-up actions to strengthen programme delivery and strategic partnerships;
• Contribute to the preparation of analytical and substantive briefs, reports, and communications materials in support of resource mobilization and the long-term sustainability of the Fellowship Programme.

Communications and Visibility:

• Collaborate with the RSCA Communications Team to promote the AfYWL Fellowship Programme through various UNDP communication platforms, including social media, newsletters, and the Fellowship website;
• Support the development and dissemination of compelling fellowship stories from current cohorts to enhance the visibility and impact of the programme.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Results-Based Management:

• Support the timely preparation and submission of quarterly and annual reports in accordance with UNDP guidelines, ensuring accurate documentation of programme progress and results;
• Assist in tracking activities and outputs to ensure alignment with programme objectives and donor reporting requirements.

Knowledge Management and Capacity Building:

• Work with the 4th cohort of AfYWL Fellows to develop knowledge products, including a storybook capturing experiences, achievements, and lessons learned;
• Support efforts to document best practices, share knowledge, and facilitate learning across the fellowship community and with broader stakeholders.

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

Institutional Arrangement:

• The programme Analyst for the AfYWL fellowship programme will be under the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator.
• The Analyst is expected to work in close collaboration with the African Union Commission’s Youth Division, the RBA Directorate Team and the UNDP project implementations support team including Human Resources

Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, and confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Project Management:

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Risk Management:

• Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Partnership Management:

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide network of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Communication:

• Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Knowledge Generation:

• Ability to research information and to turn it 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.

Relationship Management:

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.

Negotiation and Influence:

• Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win- win’ situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, African Studies, Economics or Political Science or related fields is required.
• 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:

• Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, in Development Studies, Sociology, African Studies, Economics, or Political Science;
• Experience in preparing reports, concept notes and other pitching documents;
• Highest-level of communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking and writing;
• Experience in project/programme management, administration, development-related areas, multi-stakeholder engagement, UN operational activities or other relevant settings;
• Previous experience with the United Nations is desired.

Required Languages:

• Excellent written and oral English communication skills is required.
• Fluency in any of the other UN Languages spoken in Africa would be an added advantage.

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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