Project Analyst - Critical Minerals and Natural Resources

About the role

The Energy and Environment Unit of UNDP Kazakhstan supports a green, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and works with government, the private sector, civil society and academia on climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, waste management and disaster risk reduction. Within this portfolio, the Japan-funded project on sustainable rare metal and rare earth minerals value chains is supported by a Project Analyst in Astana, reporting to the Project Manager.

Key responsibilities

• Analyze existing policies, frameworks and regulations governing the minerals sector and assess the regulatory landscape against national priorities and international environmental standards.
• Support the development of policies, strategies and action plans for environmentally responsible mineral sector development, and set up mechanisms to monitor and evaluate them.
• Analyze financial mechanisms and funding opportunities for sustainable mineral value chains.
• Advocate for environmental sustainability and responsible resource management in sectoral policies and plans.
• Collaborate with government, industry, research organizations, NGOs and community leaders, and coordinate stakeholders to ensure coherent policy implementation.
• Translate technical and policy concepts into accessible language and prepare technical reports, policy briefs and communication materials.
• Organize training, workshops and capacity-building activities, and document best practices and lessons learned.
• Contribute to knowledge networks, knowledge platforms and advocacy on development trends.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Geology, Mining Engineering, Mineral Processing, Metallurgy, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Natural Sciences, Economics, Public Policy, Law or a related field; or a bachelor's degree in one of these fields plus two years of relevant experience.
• For bachelor's degree holders, at least two years of professional experience in the minerals sector, natural resource management, sectoral policy development, economic or environmental analysis, or related technical and project coordination roles.
• Fluency in English and Kazakh and/or Russian.

Required skills

• Experience in critical minerals or mineral sector policy, analysis, governance or value chain development.
• Experience developing sectoral strategies, action plans or policy recommendations.
• Experience with legal frameworks, regulations and international agreements on mining, environmental sustainability and responsible value chains.
• Experience coordinating nationwide and regional policy documents and working with government, industry, research institutions and donors.
• Experience in sectoral research, trend and market analysis, and in preparing analytical reports, policy briefs and presentations.
• Experience with environmental risks and sustainability considerations in mineral extraction, processing, waste management or recycling.
• Use of computer software (MS Word, Excel) and web-based management systems such as ERP.