Project Description

The Advanced Capacities for Trade Project funded by Sweden and the Great Britain aims at supporting an environment of trust and cooperation on both banks of the Nistru River through capitalizing on the opportunities offered by the DCFTA and consolidating trade ties across the river and with the EU, while supporting economic growth that benefits the most vulnerable. To this end, the project facilitates the integration of businesses from the Transnistrian region into the export promotion mechanisms on the right bank by reducing the information gap on DCFTA, enhancing the MSME competitiveness and supporting their access to external markets, as well as working on the foundation: supporting the development of the entrepreneurship culture, with a particular focus on the vulnerable.  

The overall objective of the project is to secure that men and women on both banks of the Nistru River have better livelihoods and living conditions, due to improved cross-river cooperation to access the opportunities offered by Moldova’s external trade arrangements, contributing to an environment of trust and cooperation across the post-conflict divide. 

Scope of Work 

The Business Development Analyst, under the overall supervision of the AdTrade Project Manager, will provide high-quality expertise and advice in the business development area, with the intention of expanding the support to the private sector from both banks of the Nistru River, having a particular focus on access to finance for MSMEs and their competitiveness, as well as export promotion, nurturing sustainability and further development and growth of MSMEs. The initiatives to be developed should include but not be limited to: promotion of women and youth entrepreneurship; better access of entrepreneurs, including women, young people and retuning migrants to adequate, affordable and growth-oriented finance; the promotion of SME competitiveness including through tackling productivity challenges; alignment with ESG standards; and supporting their internationalization through export. 

The Analyst will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the project) of the highest quality and standards. All the work will be based on an appreciation of human rights and gender equality. 

The Project Analyst will:

Design activities for the timely and efficient delivery of outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected results and ensure full compliance of all the actions with UNDP policies and procedures.

• Work with financial institutions to identify barriers to access to finance for various types of MSMEs and design strategies to improve inclusive outreach.
• Contribute to the design of initiatives aimed at:
  • Promoting women and youth entrepreneurship on both banks of the Nistru River through developing the entrepreneurship culture and support infrastructure;
  • Enhancing access to traditional asset-based finance instruments and alternative asset-based finance instruments for the private sector, including but not limited to exploring crowdfunding, factoring, private equity, bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and other innovative financial instruments, etc.
  • Supporting private sector’s export readiness, including competitiveness enhancement, alignment with ESG principles including the ESG reporting, and with other standards and norms; 
  • Improving SMEs access to external markets. 
• Provide recommendations to government institutions on enhancing financial inclusion of MSMEs and improving regulatory frameworks aiming to strengthen and expand inclusive financial products and services appropriate to various groups.
• Facilitate engagement with financial institutions, government agencies, and development partners, regulatory bodies, and other relevant stakeholders to gather insights and build partnerships. This involves organizing meetings, workshops, and consultations to discuss the development and implementation of private  sector support initiatives.
• Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide. Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning.
• Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the Project requested by the supervisor.

Institutional Arrangement

The Business Development Analyst will work under the guidance of the AdTrade Project Manager, in close collaboration with the programme, operations, communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to the resolution of complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The Business Development Analyst also collaborates with other UN projects and other development partners. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of effective internal control systems. 

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 

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1 - Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships 

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1 - Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination  

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies 

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.

Business Direction & Strategy - System 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 information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to 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 Development - Knowledge Facilitation:    

• 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.

Partnership management - Strategic engagement:    

• Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.

Business Management - 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.

Business Management - Project Management:    

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

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum education requirements:

• Advanced University degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Financial Management, Law, or another relevant field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Minimum years of relevant work experience :

• Minimum 2 (two) years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant practical experience related to access to finance of MSEMS, or support programs for private sector using private or public funds.

Required skills:

• Previous experience in development projects or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector /consulting firm or previous experience with UN agencies. 
• At least (2) two assignments related to providing services to business actors, business capacity development (working with public/private actors).
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Desired skills:

• Demonstrated experience to communicate well and interact with key partners in project implementation and delivery is an advantage.
• Ability to perform and deliver expected results in a fast-paced working environment. 

Required languages:

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset. 

Professional certificates

• Additional training and/or certification in financial management and/or accounting would be an 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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