Organizational Context: 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.
You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.
Office/Unit/Project Description: The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem & land restoration, disaster management and resilience, and access to clean and efficient energy.
The Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity pillar of ACE is supporting the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The programme/projects under the pillar have been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), National and State level planning for land restoration and biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, carbon sequestration through enhanced restoration, promotion of nature-based livelihoods and One Health approach.
UNDP is supporting the Ministry in the implementation of a GEF -7 project “Sustainable management and restoration of degraded landscapes for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in India”. The project aims to achieve land degradation neutrality by creating additional carbon sinks through an ecosystem-based approach for restoring degraded agricultural, forest, pastoral lands, and surface water bodies. It involves enabling institutional frameworks and policies for integrated sustainable land management practices and up-scaling landscape-wide practices in 3 states Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh contributing to the national target of restoring 26 Mha of degraded lands by 2030.
The project being implemented over a period of five years will lead to the following outcomes: (1) Enhanced national, state and district-level enabling frameworks incentivizing SLM practices and supporting participatory multi-sector platforms to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate mitigation; (2) Integrated participatory landscape design and financing models established in support of avoidance, reduction and reversal of land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and negative impacts of climate change to generates multiple sustained environmental and economic benefits; (3) Improved capacity for LDN monitoring, assessment and reporting to UNCCD in support of LDN target setting and evaluation of capacities of partners; allowing government institutions and other agencies to better document, analyse and disseminate effective intervention strategies for restoring productive landscapes and replication of best practices at national and state level, and at international level through improved South-South cooperation, knowledge and adaptive management.
UNDP seeks to engage a Project Specialist (Sustainable Land Management Expert) under the GEF- GoI- UNDP LDN project who hasthe communication, analytical, planning and implementation capacities to support range of projects across Biodiversity, Land Restoration, Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Projects. S/He will support the project management unit in implementation of the project as per the UNDP and GEF Project Management Policy and Procedures. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to making a positive contribution to Development in India.
Job Purpose and Scope of Work: The Specialist -Sustainable Land Management will be responsible for ensuring effective leadership in the planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring & evaluation and reporting of the projects in the areas, such as, Biodiversity, Land Restoration, Forestry and Wildlife Conservation, which are to be anchored in the Ministry. S/he will ensure effective engagement and partnerships with the Ministry & other key stakeholders and liaison with government officials and UNDP as required to meet the project goals, objectives, deliverables, and targets. The position will be based at the UNDP Country Office, New Delhi and will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor and Team Lead – Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) UNDP India.
Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Technical Support:
- Provide technical support to the Project management Unit (and Government Stakeholders on the overall implementation of project such as the LDN projects and other projects in the areas of the Biodiversity, Land Restoration, Forestry and Wildlife Conservation.
- Coordinate with the respective National and State level project management units for preparation, finalization and implementation of the Annual work Plans
- Assist in the development of technical project plans, including timelines, resources, and budgets.
- Oversee the technical implementation of project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives and meet the UNDP CPD outcomes.
- Prepare documentation, and presentations for the UNDP Management as required and provides technical documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible.
- Establishing linkages with similar existing projects such as similar UNDP-GEF projects, such as Biodiversity, Small Grants Programme and Wildlife Conservation etc.
- Coordination with other initiatives supported by the UN.
- Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies
2. Monitoring and reporting of projects:
- Monitor activities of the Projects and ensure accurate and timely reporting as per donor/ UNDP guidelines.
- Lead and facilitate the audit of the assigned project and comply with audit recommendations and requirements.
- Supervision of regular reporting and support in public outreach via mass media, events, and other means, to disseminate the results of the project.
- Oversee project procurement and ensure timely contract management and payments.
- Prepare and submit progress reports related to the project in the portfolio such as Project Implementation Reports, Quarterly Progress Reports, Project Results Monitoring Pathway, annual reports and other required reports to the National Project Steering Committee (NPSC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Global Environment Facility (GEF) timelines.
- Support in conducting Mid-term review and Terminal Evaluation of the project as required.
- Carry out field visits to track progress made in implementation of the project and take corrective action as required.
- Ensure compliance of project activities with UNDP and GEF Social and Environmental Standards at National and State levels, in coordination with the state-level M&E associates and Landscape Project Officers and carry out safeguards monitoring missions as required to project landscapes.
- Facilitate preparation, implementation and monitoring of the project Gender Action Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan ensuring that targets are fully met, and the reporting requirements are fulfilled.
- Lead coordination and reporting between the Ministry, the UNDP and other stakeholders
3. Communications and Outreach:
- Support communication and outreach to synthesize success stories, best practices lessons learnt and develop knowledge products such as factsheets, brochures, publications etc.
- Support in development of knowledge management platform like GIP/GIR & dissemination of knowledge products to different stakeholders.
- Help create visibility of the projects through various platforms including events and social media.
- Facilitate the sharing of knowledge and information within the project teams and across other teams.
- Work on the potential project outreach plan and its execution to ensure maximum project outreach.
Competencies Core: - Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
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
- Business Management: Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Business Direction & Strategy: System 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 Management: Risk Management: Ability to identify, analyse and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
- 2030 Agenda: Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy: Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management
Required Skills and Experience Education: - Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in Forestry / Agriculture / Ecology / Environmental Science or related fields is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor´s degree) in Forestry / Agriculture / Ecology / Environmental Science or related fields in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.
Experience: - Minimum 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience working on programmes and projects related to biodiversity conservation, land restoration, climate adaptation, natural resource management, or related fields.
- Must have worked as a project manager or technical expert in at least 2 projects related to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, land restoration, natural resource management, or related fields.
- Experience in managing a team of 10 – 15 people is required.
Required Skills: - Experience working with government departments at the central or state level and with UN agencies like the World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, FAO, etc. is an asset.
- Sound knowledge and understanding of gender issue & mainstreaming of gender adaptive actions.
- Sound knowledge of UN and GEF Project Management Policies and Procedures
- Good communication (written and oral), interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
- Proficiency in MS Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel and Word; Advanced knowledge of spreadsheets, database management and research skills will be an asset.
- Ability to deliver time-sensitive tasks assigned.
- Ability to work with a diverse set of experts and consultants.
- Experience working with local communities and villagers is an asset.
- Willingness to travel extensively within the country.
Language: - Fluency in Hindi and English is required.
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Note: 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.
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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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