ISSP Portfolio Analyst - North Central _ Jos

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

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, working in over 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience. In Nigeria, UNDP supports the Federal Government and State Governments to advance inclusive growth, climate resilience, clean energy access, democratic governance, digital transformation, and sustainable financing for development, in line with Nigeria’s National Development Plan, the SDGs, and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (CPD) 2023–2027.

To operationalise its portfolio-based approach, UNDP Nigeria is implementing the Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP) — a multi-sector, investment-oriented platform that supports State Governments to shift from fragmented projects to integrated, bankable development portfolios anchored in co-investment, systems strengthening and long-term transformation.

ISSP portfolios cover integrated thematic pillars:

• Innovation, Digital Transformation and the Knowledge Economy

• Clean Energy for Social Services, Productive Use & Communities

• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Trade & Export Competitiveness

• Tourism & Creative Economy Transformation

• Digital Governance, Data & Smart State Systems

• Long-Term Development Planning, financing & Investment Mobilisation

To ensure high-quality delivery, coherence and scaling across regions and states, UNDP Nigeria is strengthening its ISSP delivery architecture through dedicated ISSP Portfolio Analyst (NPSA 9) positions.

The ISSP Portfolio Analyst – North Central plays a central role in programme management, analytical leadership, coordination and adaptive delivery, working closely with State Governments, Regional Development Commissions, Local Government Authorities, development partners, private sector actors and UNDP technical teams.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the ISSP Regional Manager and matrix technical reporting with thematic portfolio Leads on Energy; Innovation, Digital Transformation, Knowledge Economy; Trade, Investment & Financing for Development; Governance; as well as the Portfolio Advisor. The ISSP Portfolio Analyst plays a critical role in ensuring portfolio coherence, delivery quality, evidence-based decision-making, and timely reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensure portfolio analysis, strategic planning & coordination:

• Lead analytical support for the design, sequencing and integration of ISSP portfolios across multiple thematic areas.

• Conduct continuous socio-economic, institutional, fiscal and sectoral analysis to inform portfolio strategy, investment prioritisation and reform engagement.

• Provide technical inputs to concept notes, programme documents, joint action plans, financing strategies and investment roadmaps.

• Support alignment of ISSP portfolios with State Development Plans & MTEFs, State and Local Government budgets and National policy frameworks and reforms

• Strengthen coordination between UNDP, State Governments, Regional Development Commissions, and Local Government Authorities to ensure coherence and ownership.

• Serve as a technical interface between UNDP’s Country Office, Regional Offices and sub-national counterparts.

2. Ensure portfolio implementation & programme management:

• Support integrated programme implementation, tracking milestones, deliverables and cross-sector interdependencies.

• Coordinate delivery with State Portfolio Managers, Local Government Areas (LGAs), Regional Development Commissions, technical partners and service providers.

• Guide and support preparation and execution of Delivery Labs, joint technical missions, investment forums and high-level engagements.

• Contribute to operational risk management, issue escalation and corrective action planning.

• Facilitate cross-state learning, replication of best practices and portfolio scaling.

3. Ensure monitoring, reporting & adaptive delivery:

• Lead portfolio-level monitoring and performance analysis using RBM principles.

• Prepare high-quality progress reports, dashboards, management briefs and donor updates.

• Track risks, implementation constraints and emerging opportunities; propose mitigation strategies.

• Support audits, evaluations, assurance processes and corporate compliance requirements.

• Promote adaptive management and continuous improvement across ISSP portfolios

4. Facilitate knowledge management, communications, partnerships & resource mobilisation:

• Develop and curate portfolio knowledge products, lessons learned, case studies and policy briefs.

• Contribute to strategic communications, visibility products and stakeholder engagement materials.

• Support systematic stakeholder mapping, including State MDAs, Regional Development Commissions, LGAs, development partners, DFIs, private investors and CSOs.

• Provide technical inputs to partnership strategies, donor engagement, co-financing frameworks and investment proposals.

• Support identification, preparation and packaging of bankable projects for blended finance, PPPs and development financing.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The ISSP Portfolio Analyst operates under a matrix reporting structure:

• Functional & Technical Reporting to:

• Thematic Portfolio Leads on Energy; Innovation, Digital Transformation, Knowledge Economy; Trade, Investment, Financing for Development; Governance (Country Office & relevant Regional Offices)

• Strategic & Resource Mobilisation Reporting to:

• ISSP Regional Manager

• Portfolio Advisor

• Day-to-day coordination occurs with the three Programme Officers – Inclusive Growth; Innovation, Digital Transformation and Knowledge Economy; and Sustainable Energy; as well as other technical teams in the Regional Offices (Uyo, Anabmra, Lagos) and the Main Abuja Country Office.

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management :- Results-based Management

• 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.

Business Management :- Project Management

Business Management:- Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key

• Principles of project, programme, and portfolio

• Management

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 Direction & Strategy :- Effective Decision Making

• Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential

• Wider implications.

Partnership Management :- 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

Business Direction & Strategy :- Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Sciences or related field is required. Or

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

Experience:

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• A minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in programme management, development coordination, portfolio analysis or public sector reform is required.

Required skills and competencies

• Demonstrated experience engaging State Governments and sub-national institutions.

• Experience supporting multi-sector programmes and complex partnerships

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with Nigeria’s development and governance context is an advantage

• Experience in programme and portforlio management is an asset.

• Experience in stakeholder and partnership development is an asset.

• Experience in resource mobilization is an asset.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Working knowledge of local languages an asset.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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