Inclusive Value Chains Analyst (Open to Tier 0 & 1 & 2 applicants)

Background

The UNDP Regional Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean provides strategic policy advice and technical support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation at the national and sub-national levels. It notably does so through comprehensive analysis of national policies and the development of proposals for policy alignment, technical support for the establishment of monitoring systems, capacity-building efforts in national statistical systems, the publication of flagship reports, and facilitating the systematization and transfer of good practices. It supports initiatives to track SDG progress while developing and improving granular, disaggregated data to better identify and target vulnerable and excluded groups. By aligning national priorities with regional and global goals, it fosters coordination between national and regional actors, building national-level efforts to ensure coherence and consistency.

 

LAC’s economy is predominantly composed of SMEs, which account for 99.5% of all companies, employ 60% of the workforce, and contribute approximately 25% of the GDP. The financial market in the region is primarily banking-oriented, with limited capital markets. SMEs in LAC rely largely on bank loans and microfinance, presenting challenges for access to capital and the creation of locally tailored financial solutions that drive sustainable job creation, environmental improvements, and economic stability at the community level.

 

UNDP in Latin America and the Caribbean has extensive experience in implementing inclusive business methodologies, such as “In Motion” (En Marcha, in Spanish), the Suppliers Development Program (Desarrollo de Proveedores, in Spanish), “Starting with Your Business” (Iniciando Con Su Negocio, in Spanish), and “Growing with My Business” (Creciendo Con Su Negocio, in Spanish), among others. UNDP's approach to supporting the SME ecosystem is holistic and inclusive: from working to strengthen value chains to supporting governments in designing and implementing national policies for SMEs and partnering with business associations such as Chambers of Commerce to promote the export of national products and facilitate dialogue with the private sector. These policies are pivotal in structuring effective support systems for enterprises, enhancing their resilience and market value.

 

At the same time, the IVC Programme sits within a wider body of work on inclusive growth carried out by UNDP's Regional Hub, spanning related areas such as financial inclusion, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and productive inclusion more broadly. There is a clear opportunity to build stronger synergies between the IVC Programme and this broader inclusive growth portfolio — sharing knowledge, methodologies, partner relationships, and communications across initiatives that currently operate somewhat separately.

To support both the coordination needs of the IVC Programme and these cross-portfolio synergies, the Programme is seeking to bring on an Inclusive Value Chains Analyst who will provide dedicated technical and administrative support, helping ensure effective implementation, consistent follow-up on results and commitments, and stronger connections across UNDP's inclusive growth work in the region.

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Regional Inclusive Growth Policy Specialist, the Inclusive Value Chains Analyst will perform the following responsibilities and related tasks:

 

1. Support the transfer and institutionalization of inclusive business methodologies.

2. Review and strengthen UNDP inclusive business tools and methodologies.

3. Support results monitoring, data management, and digital knowledge platforms.

4. Provide technical assistance for the development of inclusive business ecosystems.

5. Systematize, communicate, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and good practices.

6. Contribute to programme coordination, partnerships, and resource mobilization across the inclusive growth portfolio.

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 Inclusive Value Chain Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Inclusive Growth Policy Specialist.

 

 

Competencies

• ACHIEVE RESULTS - LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• THINK INNOVATEVELY - 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.

• 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 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.
• 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 optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio 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.

Technical Competencies

• 2030 AGENDA: PROSPERITY
  • INCLUSIVE GROWTH - DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.
  • INCLUSIVE GROWTH - ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION.
  • INCLUSIVE GROWTH - FUTURE OF WORK.

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Social Sciences, or related fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

• 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 two (2) years of relevant professional experience in inclusive growth, economic inclusion, economic development, and inclusive business in the above fields at the national or international level.

• Experience and knowledge of UNDP's inclusive business methodologies, including their application, adaptation, and scaling.
• Experience transferring UNDP methodologies and building local capacity to sustain inclusive business initiatives.
• Technical expertise in project design, monitoring, and evaluation, with a focus on economic inclusion and development outcomes.
• Familiarity with UNDP’s work in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, including collaboration with Country Offices (COs) and Regional Hubs.
• Experience in designing and managing economic development projects, especially those targeting SMEs and inclusive growth.
• Proven experience in managing development programs at country and regional levels, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance to public institutions, private sector actors, and civil society.
• Experience in mobilizing funds, preparing fund management reports, and ensuring transparency in resource utilization.

• Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and oral is required.
• Working knowledge of Portuguese and/or French an asset.