The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting applications for the JPO – Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst position in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The opportunity is offered under the UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme and is designed for professionals interested in political analysis, strategic communication, conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding, governance, and international development.

The Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst will support UNDP’s work on Ethiopia’s National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Programme (NDRP), contributing to political and conflict analysis, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, donor coordination, and risk-informed programming.

The position is classified at P-2 level, is full-time, and is offered on a one-year fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension. It is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with no mobility requirement stated in the vacancy information.

About the UNDP Junior Professional Officer Programme

The UNDP Junior Professional Officer Programme provides young professionals with opportunities to gain practical experience within the multilateral development system while contributing to programmes connected to the Sustainable Development Goals.

JPOs work alongside experienced UNDP personnel and receive structured professional support throughout their assignments. The programme is intended to provide exposure to international development, multilateral cooperation, programme implementation, policy work, and the wider UN system.

For this particular position, the successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Director of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Unit and will contribute to UNDP’s work supporting Ethiopia’s nationally led stabilization and recovery efforts.

The JPO assignment includes structured guidance and feedback, an agreed work plan, learning and development objectives, and opportunities to progressively take on greater responsibilities.

About the Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst Position

The Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst will be based within UNDP’s work supporting the National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Programme (NDRP) in Ethiopia.

The NDRP operates across conflict-affected and politically sensitive areas, including Tigray, Oromia and Amhara, where political circumstances, security conditions, community expectations and socio-economic realities can differ considerably.

Because of these circumstances, the position requires careful political analysis and communication. The successful candidate will help monitor political and conflict developments, identify emerging risks, support conflict-sensitive programming, and ensure that communication surrounding DDR activities remains coherent while responding appropriately to different regional contexts.

The role also involves engagement with government institutions, development partners, international stakeholders and other relevant actors.

According to the vacancy, the position is intended to help integrate political risk monitoring, conflict sensitivity and strategic communication into DDR implementation while supporting peacebuilding and stabilization efforts.

Key Responsibilities

The selected Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst will contribute to several areas of UNDP’s work.

1. Political Risk Analysis

The analyst will support the DDR team in monitoring national and sub-national political and conflict developments.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring political and conflict dynamics that may affect DDR implementation.
• Providing regular updates on emerging political and security trends.
• Assessing developments in the Horn of Africa and their implications for stabilization, peace efforts and durable solutions.
• Supporting horizon scanning and political risk analysis.
• Identifying emerging threats and risks.
• Providing practical recommendations for adaptive and conflict-sensitive programming.

This aspect of the position requires the ability to interpret political developments and translate analysis into information that can support programme decisions.

2. Strategic Communication and Government Engagement

The successful candidate will also contribute to strategic communication and engagement with government authorities.

This includes:

• Supporting engagement with federal and regional authorities.
• Preparing briefings and talking points.
• Supporting strategic messaging for high-level meetings.
• Helping communicate DDR objectives and results clearly to government counterparts and partners.
• Ensuring that communication is politically informed and appropriately adapted to different audiences.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are therefore important for this role.

3. Reporting, Presentations and Knowledge Management

The analyst will prepare and contribute to internal and external knowledge products.

Duties include:

• Preparing monthly informal reports.
• Developing visual presentations for internal and partner use.
• Synthesizing political, security and programme developments.
• Providing analytical inputs for senior leadership.
• Supporting inter-agency forums and UN Country Team coordination mechanisms.
• Contributing to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Supporting digital knowledge platforms.
• Organizing training for relevant operations and project staff on programme-related matters.

4. Donor Engagement and Conferences

The role also includes supporting UNDP’s engagement with international development partners and donors.

The successful candidate may assist with:

• Preparing for international donor conferences in Addis Ababa or abroad.
• Conducting donor intelligence and political context analysis.
• Preparing briefing materials.
• Coordinating with partners.
• Providing tailored updates to development partners.
• Supporting efforts to position DDR as an important stabilization, peacebuilding and humanitarian-development-peace investment.

5. Proposal Development and Risk-Informed Programming

The analyst will contribute to programme development by helping integrate political and contextual considerations into project documents.

This includes:

• Supporting the preparation of project proposals.
• Assisting with concept notes.
• Integrating risk and context analysis into proposals.
• Ensuring conflict sensitivity is reflected in programme development.
• Aligning proposals with donor priorities.
• Working with partnerships and programme teams to connect DDR activities with broader peacebuilding and stabilization efforts.

Eligibility Requirements

This is an important consideration for prospective applicants because the position is not open to applicants of all nationalities.

Nationality

The position is offered through the JPO Programme and is open exclusively to nationals of Norway.

Applicants must also meet the applicable eligibility requirements of the JPO Programme in addition to the specific requirements of this vacancy.

Education and Professional Experience

Applicants must meet one of the following education and experience combinations:

• Master’s degree plus at least two years of relevant professional experience, or
• Bachelor’s degree plus at least four years of relevant professional experience.

The relevant professional background should be connected to areas such as development, foreign affairs or international relations.

Relevant Professional Experience

Applicants are expected to have experience in areas including:

• Political risk analysis.
• Conflict sensitivity.
• Strategic communication.
• Peacebuilding.
• Development-sector work.
• Foreign affairs or international relations.
• Working in complex or transitional environments.
• Engagement with government institutions.
• Engagement with development partners or international organizations.
• Producing reports, policy briefs and political updates for senior audiences.
• Building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Experience relating to the political and security dynamics of Ethiopia or the wider Horn of Africa is considered desirable rather than a core mandatory requirement.

Experience with UNDP or UN system processes is also desirable. This may include political analysis, programme planning and conflict-sensitivity tools.

Additional desirable experience includes work related to:

• Peacebuilding.
• Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR).
• Governance reform.
• Providing strategic advice to senior officials or diplomatic actors.
• Data visualization for political or conflict analysis, including tools such as Power BI, Tableau or GIS.

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Working knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Competencies Sought by UNDP

The position requires a combination of analytical, communication, partnership and organizational competencies.

Core competencies listed for the role include:

• Achieve Results: Planning and monitoring one’s work, paying attention to detail and delivering quality work on time.
• Think Innovatively: Offering new ideas and demonstrating integrated and systemic thinking.
• Learn Continuously: Remaining curious, sharing knowledge and seeking feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: Responding constructively to change, uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Act with Determination: Managing multiple sources of pressure and persevering through challenges.
• Engage and Partner: Bringing people together and building and maintaining partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Facilitating conversations across differences and considering diverse perspectives in decision-making.

The technical competencies include conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity, relationship management, communication, data storytelling, portfolio management and systems thinking.

Professional Development and Learning Opportunities

One of the features of the UNDP JPO Programme is its structured professional development component.

The successful JPO will have access to several learning opportunities, including:

• A virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course during the first four to six months of the assignment.
• A yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation.
• Ongoing masterclasses covering relevant professional themes.
• Career development support.
• Networking opportunities with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues.
• A mentoring programme.
• Other training and learning opportunities relevant to the assignment.

The JPO will also receive structured guidance and feedback from experienced UNDP staff while working toward defined results and professional development objectives.

Contract and Programme Details

Detail	Information
Organization	United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Programme	Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme
Position	Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst
Grade	P-2
Location	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Type	Full-time
Contract	Fixed term
Duration	1 year, with possibility of extension
Practice Area	Governance
Bureau	Regional Bureau for Africa
Mobility	No mobility required
Nationality	Norway only
Job Identification	37172
Posting Date	September 28, 2026
Application Deadline	October 25, 2026

The vacancy is an international professional position based in Addis Ababa.

How to Apply

Interested and eligible applicants should apply through the official UNDP Careers recruitment portal.

Before submitting an application, candidates should carefully review the vacancy requirements and ensure that their education, professional experience, nationality and language qualifications meet the stated criteria.

Applicants should also tailor their application materials to demonstrate relevant experience in political analysis, strategic communication, conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding, international relations, stakeholder engagement and reporting.

Because the position is specifically offered under the JPO framework, applicants should pay particular attention to the nationality requirement and the general eligibility conditions applicable to the JPO Programme.

The official UNDP careers listing identifies the vacancy as Job 37172 – JPO Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst.

Important Deadline

The application deadline is October 25, 2026.

The vacancy was posted on September 28, 2026, with an application period of approximately four weeks. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.

Important Information for Applicants

UNDP states that it does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. Applicants should therefore be cautious of individuals or websites requesting payment in connection with this vacancy.

Candidates should use official UNDP recruitment channels and verify information before providing personal or application-related information. The vacancy also directs applicants to UNDP’s guidance concerning the responsible use of AI during recruitment and selection.

Who Should Consider This Opportunity?

The Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst position is particularly relevant to professionals whose background combines international development, political analysis, international relations, governance, strategic communication or peacebuilding.

Potentially relevant professional profiles include candidates with experience in:

• Government institutions.
• International organizations.
• Development programmes.
• Foreign affairs.
• Political research and analysis.
• Peacebuilding initiatives.
• Conflict-sensitive programming.
• Strategic communications.
• Policy research.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Donor coordination.
• Programme planning and reporting.

Candidates interested in building a career within the multilateral development sector may also find the JPO structure relevant because the programme combines professional responsibilities with mentoring, training, networking and exposure to UNDP operations.

However, prospective applicants should first confirm that they satisfy the Norwegian nationality requirement and the required combination of education and professional experience.

The UNDP JPO Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst opportunity provides a professional role in Addis Ababa focused on political risk analysis, conflict sensitivity, strategic communication, peacebuilding and support for Ethiopia’s National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Programme.

The position offers exposure to UNDP’s work in stabilization and development while providing structured professional development through the Junior Professional Officer Programme. Candidates with relevant experience in international relations, foreign affairs, political analysis, strategic communication, conflict sensitivity or peacebuilding can review the requirements and determine their eligibility.

The position is open exclusively to Norwegian nationals, requires either a Master’s degree with two years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree with four years of relevant experience, and requires fluency in English.

Eligible applicants should submit their applications by October 25, 2026, through the official UNDP recruitment portal.

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