Project Associate

1. 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.

1. Office/Unit/Project Description

In September 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This global “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” is anchored on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the agenda’s results framework that captures universal aspirations across three dimensions of sustainable development: economic development, social development and environmental protection. The 2030 Agenda is an integrated, indivisible agenda, which balances the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability, the success of which will depend on the extent to which coherent, evidence-based plans and policies are formulated and implemented at country, regional and global levels. Today, India is the epicentre of global progress on the SDGs – the country is a leading force for climate action, home to the world’s biggest and most ambitious developmental programmes and social legislations – Housing for All, universal health coverage, digital and financial inclusion, and the empowerment of women, and it is one of the fastest growing major economies.

UNDP in India is reorganizing internally and moving to an integrated, collaborative business model. The vast population, uneven development and geographical makeup up of the country together with the federal structure lends itself to an empowered and decentralized field office structure. There is a strong need to strengthen state level programming, which cannot be done without a strong field presence. SDG Acceleration Unit focusses on expanding the State level presence of UNDP by coordinating efforts at the State level and by promoting the adoption of the SDG Coordination Centres across States. SDG Acceleration Unit also works closely with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and is looking to expand the tribal portfolio at the State level.

1. Job Purpose and Scope of Work

1. Main Purpose:

The main purpose is to provide administrative and implementation support to the Programme Unit under the SDG, Tribal and State projects.

1. Duties and Responsibilities:

Administrative and implementation support to the SDG acceleration Unit for SDG and tribal development projects

Financial Management

• Maintain expenditure ledgers and updated approval levels by source of funds using ATLAS/Quantum for projects managed by the unit
• Process payment requests from implementing agencies and other partners
• Ensure timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers
• Create e-requisitions, purchase orders (POs), register goods receipts in Atlas/Quantum
• Follow up with vendors on timely receipt of invoices and correct documentation for processing payments to be sent to GSSU
• Support in the formulation of project Annual Work Plans, Quarterly Progress Reports (QPR), and Project Implementation Reports (PIRs).

• Maintain the internal expenditures control system, monitor fund disbursement in compliance with UNDP rules and procedures, and assist in the management of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Procurement and HR
  • Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of effective internal control.
  • Support end-to-end procurement processes including preparation of RFPs/RFQ documents and documents for the hiring of Individual Consultants (ICs), coordination for issuance of contracts and payments
  • Create e-requisitions, purchase orders (POs), register goods receipts in Atlas/Quantum
  • Follow up with vendors on timely receipt of invoices and correct documentation for processing payments
  • Coordination with the Country Office procurement team on a regular basis
  • Provide support to HR and procurement team for hiring of consultants under the project.
  • Support the process of procurement of services and goods in compliance with UNDP guidelines.

• Administrative Support
  • Organize travel including the purchase of tickets and DSA calculation
  • Support organization of workshops, events, seminars and retreats including logistical assistance such as travel arrangements, hotel bookings, IT arrangements, coordination between different units, etc.
  • Draft responses to emails and letters, minutes of meetings, format presentations and document briefs
  • Provide support for coordinating interviews, processing requests for contract renewal
  • Coordinate with HR and procurement team for the advertisement of positions and publishing in various medium for wider circulation
  • Coordinate for shortlisting of CVs and facilitating the interview process
• Miscellaneous
  • Coordinate with operational staff on financial systems, queries, reports, schedules, etc.
  • Maintain records related to equipment and supplies procured under the projects and prepare inventory lists for verification and submission to the Country Office
  • Maintain up-to-date project files and project documents and provide timely information requested by the partner ministries.
  • Support 100% delivery against planned project results and financial delivery targets.
  • Follow up and maintain status of closing of projects
  • Perform any other tasks assigned from time to time by the Unit

1. Institutional Arrangement

Direct Reporting To1: Policy Specialist, SDGs, NPSA 9

Overall Reporting To2: Chief Advisor, SDG Acceleration Unit, NOD Reportees to this position (if applicable):

1. Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:

LEVEL 1: Plansand monitors ownwork, pays attention to

details, delivers qualitywork by deadline

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makesimprovements

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 1: Open mindedand curious, sharesknowledge,

learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt withAgility:

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act withDetermination:

LEVEL 1: Shows driveand motivation, ableto deliver calmlyin 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

Cross-Functional &Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition

Innovation Ability to makenew and useful

ideas work

Innovation

Adept withcomplex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Adept withcomplex concepts and challenges convention

purposefully

People Management Models independent thinking and action

Ability to listen, adapt,persuade and

transform

Communication Synthesizes information to communicate independently analysis

Ability to get things donewhile exercising goodjudgement

Ability to get things done while exercising good

judgement

Meets goalsand quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Integration  within theUN

Job Knowledge

Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply thisknowledge to strategic and/or practical

situations

Administration  & Operations

Events Management (including

retreats,

Support offices with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

trainings and meetings)
Talent acquisition

Recruitment: assessment and

selection

Knowledge and ability to apply various candidate assessment and selection methodologies, tools and platforms; ability to effectively

align themwith specific recruitment needs

1. Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements

• High School Education

or

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Social Work Administration or related would be given due consideration

Min. years of relevant workexperience

• At least 6 years ofexperience in Projectand administration management withhigh school or 3 years for candidates withBachelors Degree
• Experience of workingfor large scalegovernment funded projects
• Experience of workingwith an international organization on aspects such as SDGs or similar development agendas.

Required skills

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in the area of professional discipline and job knowledge, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Demonstrates competent analytical and presentation skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to assist the team in financial and physical reporting;
• Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Intra-Internet, e-mail applications etc.

Team workand Self-Management

• Focuses on expected impact and resultsand responds positively to feedback;
• Promotes teamwork and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches workwith energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Supports the team in building strong relationships with stakeholders and external actors;
• High interpersonal skills,and ability to remain calm, in controland good humoured under pressure;
• Ability to prioritize assignments and requirements, and multitask as needed;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

• Demonstrates skills to liaise and work with varied stakeholders especially government and technical agencies.

Communication Skills

• Excellent communication skills;
• Good interpersonal and presentation skills, with an abilityto work in a multi-cultural environment.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s valuesand ethical standards.
• Promotes thevision, mission, and strategic goalsof UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender,religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;

Required Language(s)

• Excellent written andoral communication skillsin English
• Good command over Hindi

Professional Certificates NA