Background

Launched in 2020, the UNDP Armenia "Sustainable Communities" program is a comprehensive portfolio of projects aimed at advancing sustainable development across Armenia by addressing the critical challenges faced by local communities. The program prioritizes fostering resilience, enhancing economic opportunities, promoting environmental sustainability, and strengthening inclusive governance. By empowering communities to adopt innovative and effective solutions, this initiative seeks to drive long-term improvements in living standards, contributing to the overall well-being and prosperity of the nation.

Within this framework, the program has prioritized agricultural innovation through small-scale initiatives, including greenhouse production project. These efforts aim to empower communities by creating sustainable livelihoods, improving food security, and fostering self-reliance among rural populations.

The greenhouse initiative has focused on providing resources, training, and infrastructure to enable stakeholders to establish and maintain small-scale greenhouses. These greenhouses have been instrumental in promoting agricultural innovation, supporting local food systems, and enhancing household incomes. To further strengthen this initiative, the program seeks to develop practical tools such as installation manuals and video guides, oversee beneficiary selection, and organize training sessions. Additionally, plans for future phases, including the development of greenhouse leasing strategies, are being considered to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative.

The Micro Scale Economic Development Analyst (Expert) will provide technical expertise and project management support to facilitate the implementation and development of greenhouse related initiatives, namely, Nexus Goris, Nexus Kapan, and Nexus Kapan 2 initiatives. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, oversee the project planning, selection of sub-contractors, selection of beneficiaries, organize training sessions, coordinate the delivery and installation of greenhouses, including provision of seeds and seedlings for starting production, facilitate cooperation among current and future project beneficiaries, support development of informal cooperation schemes and clusters among project beneficiaries, organize post-installation mentorship and training sessions, while ensuring adherence to quality standards. 

The incumbent will also develop actionable plans for future phases.  Furthermore, he/she will monitor project progress, gather feedback, and refine strategies to ensure the long-term success of the initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Analyst will support the planning, implementation, and operation of greenhouse initiatives under the Nexus Goris, Nexus Kapan, and Nexus Kapan 2 projects. The Analyst will ensure high-quality delivery, effective beneficiary engagement, and sustainable operation of greenhouse installations.

Development and Implementation of Greenhouse Project Strategies

The Analyst will be responsible for the end-to-end technical and operational support of greenhouse initiatives, including the following tasks:

• Develop comprehensive project implementation strategies to guide all phases of the greenhouse initiatives.
• Prepare user-friendly printed and video manuals for greenhouse installation, operation, and maintenance, adapted to local conditions and capacities.
• Support outreach and awareness-raising activities through local media, social networks, and village/community meetings.
• Design and implement an inclusive and transparent beneficiary selection process, including:
  • Collection and review of applications;
  • Verification of eligibility through site visits and document checks (e.g., land availability, access to water and electricity);
  • Prioritization of entrepreneurs and final selection of participants.
• Organize and deliver agricultural and business training sessions for selected beneficiaries.
• Contribute to the procurement process for greenhouse-related service providers and suppliers.
• Coordinate the delivery and installation of greenhouses, including the provision of seeds and seedlings to initiate production.
• Supervise greenhouse installation and initial operations, ensuring compliance with safety, technical, and quality standards.
• Facilitate cooperation and knowledge-sharing among current and future beneficiaries.
• Support the development of informal cooperation schemes, networks, and clusters among beneficiaries.
• Organize post-installation mentorship and follow-up training sessions to ensure effective greenhouse management.
• Develop actionable plans and recommendations for future phases of greenhouse expansion and sustainability.
• Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the project.

Project Operations and Coordination In addition to technical responsibilities, the expert will support overall project operations, including:

• Facilitate effective communication and coordination with beneficiaries, regional and local authorities, service providers, and project team members to ensure smooth implementation, procurement, monitoring, and visibility activities.
• Develop and maintain project documentation regulating implementation procedures and UNDP–beneficiary relationships.
• Monitor project progress against planned timelines, budgets, and outputs; proactively identify risks and challenges and propose mitigation measures.
• Provide regular and ad hoc progress updates and reports, including reporting against agreed indicators.
• Provide logistical and organizational support for project activities, as required.

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

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance of UNDP CO Socioeconomic Development Portfolio Manager and direct supervision of the Sustainable Communities Programme Manager, the incumbent provides effective and efficient implementation of project activities. 

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• 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 Development

• 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. 

Business Management 

• Working with Evidence and Data:
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 
• Monitoring & Evaluation:
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; 
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. 
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. 
  • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. 
• 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 
• Partnerships management:
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies 
• Project Management:
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals 

Ethics 

• UN policy knowledge – ethics:
  • Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public Administration, Business Adminsitration or other related fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a 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 2 years of relevant professional experience in project implementation and business development. 

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge and working experience in agro sector grants management, support to SMEs and start ups; 
• Knowledge and experience with policy and development trends in regard to SME and agriculture development trends in Armenia;
• 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 system.
• Experience in supervising greenhouse construction and ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and quality standards;
• Proven experience in coordinating with local authorities, community leaders, project teams and development partners.
• Working experience with international donor organizations in the related area. 
• Prior experience with EU and UNDP projects.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Armenian languages 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. 

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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