ISSP Portfolio Analyst - North Central _ Jos

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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:

•    Strategic & Resource Mobilisation Reporting to:

•    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    

Business Management :- Project Management     
 

Business Management:- Portfolio Management    

Business Direction & Strategy:- Systems Thinking    

Business Direction & Strategy :- Effective Decision Making    

Partnership Management :- Relationship Management    

Business Direction & Strategy :- Strategic Thinking    

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Min. Academic Education

Experience:

Min. years of relevant Work experience 

Required skills and competencies

Desirable criteria 

Required Language(s) (at working level)

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

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