Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. 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.
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 UNDP, in partnership with the Government of India, aims to fast-track development in difficult geographies inhabited by tribal populations by strengthening capacities, options and opportunities for them to move out of deprivation. Within the tribal portfolio, the primary objective is to strengthen implementation and monitoring of national/state programmes and schemes. Additionally, we aim to demonstrate innovative, scalable, integrated development solutions in tribal dominated regions.
The Tribal portfolio is anchored in Pillar 2 on the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2023-2027. Under the umbrella of the SDG Acceleration Unit, the tribal portfolio encompasses multiple interventions spread across the country. The overarching goal of the portfolio is to establish synergy and coordination between the central and state governments, thereby facilitating the effective implementation of schemes and programs for tribal development. UNDP serves as a catalyst for collaboration, facilitating improved coordination to ensure the intended beneficiaries receive the benefits of various initiatives through proper implementation.
Under the portfolio, there are several projects being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and various State Tribal Departments. These projects are focused on enhancing the operational effectiveness of the tribal development programmes, strengthening the capacities of the tribal department and functionaries, promoting data-driven decision-making, and advancing knowledge management.
UNDP proposes to engage a Project Associate to provide support in research, state coordination, monitoring and compliance support in diverse ongoing projects in the tribal development portfolio. S/He will also provide support in documentation, developing knowledge products and dissemination. S/He will be based in the UNDP Country office and will work under the direct supervision of the Project Analyst- Tribal Rights, and the overall supervision of the Chief Advisor, UNDP. S/he will ensure the engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives with other team members.
Reporting To: Project Analyst- Tribal Rights, NPSA 9
Duties and Responsibilities The project associate will undertake the following tasks:
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Provide support in clear and timely reporting under the tribal projects’ result- framework, while providing for support to, monthly, quarterly and annual reporting processes.
- Prepare the 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 in coordination with National and State teams.
- Support in organization of regular (Project Steering Committee meetings) and project review meetings; help
- prepare relevant documentation/background notes, presentations, and summaries of actions to be taken.
- Support in liaisoning with the State Governments and donors to provide them with update and reporting and clarifying project activities.
- Support strategic research initiatives by collating, compiling and analysis of data from various sources, preliminary scoping studies or briefs.
- 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 in preparation of background information for projects formulation, support in preparing project documents, annual work plans, budgets, and proposals.
- Ensure that projects’ monitoring data is entered into the relevant data management systems (Quantum etc).
Documentation Support
- Support in organising, managing, consultations, training programmes, social media campaigns, and other events with various stakeholders.
- Support in identification and documentation of best practices and outcomes across thematic areas relevant to the project and in development of knowledge products and their dissemination.
- Ensure knowledge on gender equality is incorporated in the project knowledge management activities and products.
Administrative and Operational Support
- Provide overall administrative/ operational support to the project, including, but not limited to, the issues of human resources, procurement, financial management.
- Assist in logistical planning and preparation of programme workshops, meetings and special events, to include sending invitations, tracking registration, liaising with UNDP Country Office colleagues to arrange authorizations, etc.
- Maintain and keep (original) donor and partner-related documentation of the projects (e.g. correspondence, donor reports).
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in 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:
Business Management
- 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
- Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
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
Administration & Operations
- Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings): Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Digital & Innovation
- Data storytelling and communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.
Business Development
- Knowledge Generation: 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.
Business Direction and Strategy
- Business Acument: Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks
Required Skills and Experience Education:
- Secondary education is required.
- A university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in social sciences, management, economics, business administration 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 work experience in rural and tribal development sector or relevant related field at the national and/or international level is required.
- Relevant experience in project management and/or programme support service in development sector is an asset.
- High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience of working on issues of Tribal development.
- Experience of working in Government institutions or other international development organizations will be an asset.
- Relevant experience in documentation and preparation of reports on development issues is an asset.
- Demonstrates strong coordination and communication skills.
- Promotes teamwork, contributes towards building team-consensus.
Required Languages:
- Fluency in English and Hindi is required.
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Applicant information about UNDP rosters
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.
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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