Project Associate- State and Tribal Research Institute Coordination

Background
 
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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs Department, Government of Mizoram is the nodal department for overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for development of Scheduled Tribes (STs). The department has accorded high priority and adopted multifaceted development strategies to promote socio-economic growth of the STs. The programmes and schemes for tribal people are intended to support and supplement the efforts to fill critical gaps and improve access of Scheduled Tribe communities to basic services and programmes. Notwithstanding numerous developmental interventions, the STs continue to face challenges in different areas.

Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs Department, Government of Mizoram is committed to providing equitable access to opportunity for the tribal communities, through participatory approach and adoption of innovative methods including e-governance and increasing use of technology to provide strategic inputs into the development process. To accelerate the implementation of the development agenda for the tribal communities and strengthen the institutional delivery systems at the State and district level, it is important to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the officials and stakeholders to deliver on the issues related to tribal empowerment and create robust systems for monitoring and implementation of the SC & ST schemes of the Central and State government.

The Department and UNDP will work together to fast-track development in difficult geographies inhabited by tribal populations, enhancing capacities of government functionaries and expanding opportunities for better livelihoods, health and education to vulnerable tribal communities.

UNDP proposes to engage a Project Associate – State and Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Coordination to support the (Project Management Unit) PMU at Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs Department, Government of Mizoram to lead and provide strategic guidance to the PMU team in effective planning, monitoring and implementation of the Tribal development programmes and ensure effective operation of schemes for the (TRI).

The Project Associate – State and Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Coordination and will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Lead, Tribal Development, UNDP with functional support from the Regional Head-Northeast India and the project team members and day to day supervision on the implementation issues with the Government of Mizoram. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives in coordination with the Government of Mizoram.

Reporting To: Project Analyst- Tribal Rights, NPSA 9. Reportees to this position: 4 TPC positions. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Support Strategic Planning and Project Management

• Provide technical support in strategic planning process for the project and ensure its implementation in accordance with the signed project document.
• Coordinate with the Department’s Knowledge Partners; ensure day-to-day management, administration and decision-making for the project.
• Prepare Quarterly/ Annual Project Reports (progress against planned activities, update the Project Assurance team, Annual Work Plans (AWP), Annual Plans of Activities and Procurement Plans for the project’s implementation period.
• Ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. Maintain the production of project outputs through activities. Coordinate with stakeholders including CSR, industry, Local Bodies and government agencies for better implementation of schemes at the ground level.
• Assist in successful coordination and facilitation of Appraisal Committee meetings, coupled with thorough review and analysis of documents and datasets, will ensure the effective operation of schemes, and fulfil assigned responsibilities within the Programme Division.

Advocacy, Research and Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)

• Support and strategize the advocacy work, identify research areas and develop capacity building programmes, especially related to TRIs, fostering continuous improvement and innovation in tribal research and education initiatives.
• Support in enhancing coordination and consultation with State Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), successfully achieving objectives outlined in the 'Support to Tribal Research Institute (TRIs)' and 'Tribal Festival, Research Information, and Mass Education' schemes.
• Support in developing and implementing digital tools and mechanisms will enable the capture and dissemination of research findings from studies conducted by TRIs, thereby enhancing accessibility and utilization of valuable insights.
• Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming).

Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing relevant to the assigned project

• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally.
• Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

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

Willingness to travel when required.
 

Competencies

Core competencies:

• 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

People Management competencies:

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
• Partnerships management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and other in-line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Partnership Management

• Multi- stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi- stakeholder funding platforms.
• Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Digital & Innovation

• Story telling: Ability to empathize with people's perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly. Ability to present data, insights or information in compelling ways to mobilize resources, talent or action. Ability to choose media and channels that is fit for purpose to reach specific target audiences.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• A university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Social Sciences, international development, social work, public policy or related fields will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in rural and tribal development sector.
• High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming
• Demonstrated experience of working on issues of Tribal development
• Prior experience in research and analysis of policy and programmes related to Tribal development.
• Experience in project management in the fields of Tribal development, laws and policies, innovations in governmental or non-governmental organizations.
• Working experience in government/international agency funded projects
• Experience and domain knowledge in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice and social inclusion.
• Good knowledge and experience in planning, designing, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and schemes for marginalized communities.

Required Languages: 

• Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

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UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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