NUNV Socio-economic and Livelihoods Associate

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Organizational Context & Project Description

Government of India, with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the lead agency, funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) is implementing the project “Mainstreaming Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Conservation into Production Sectors in the East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India”. The project focuses specifically on removing the key barriers for mainstreaming environmental management considerations into major production activities that are impacting the EGREE region. The main components of the project include: a) Sectoral mainstreaming including knowledge management for coastal and marine biodiversity conservation; b) Institutional Capacity Development; and c) Sustainable Community Livelihoods and Natural Resource Use in the Godavari River Estuary.

One of the key objective of the project is implementing overall landscape plan and biodiversity friendly sectoral plans for fisheries, oil and gas, port and shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, salt pans, fertilizers and tourism sectors in partnership with the corporates, industries and line department operating in the EGREE Region. 

The implementation of the project at the landscape level will be carried out through Landscape Level Project Management Unit (LLPMU) based in Kakinada. The functions of the LLPMU broadly also include effective implementation the project; promote research into the scientific, sociological and economic aspects of landscape and integrate into landscape and sector plans; coordinate with different production sectors and other agencies to develop an environmentally sustainable Plans, etc.

The UNV will be based in the LLPMU in Kakinada, with frequent travel to project site. S/he shall work under the overall supervision of the CEO East Godavari Estuarine Ecosystem (EGREE) Foundation and under direct supervision of the State Project Coordinator and the Conservation Biologist, LLMPU and close coordination with Programme Analyst and Project Officer, UNDP New Delhi.

Living Conditions

Kakinada is a city and the district headquarters of East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The city was selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM Narendra Modi's flagship, Smart Cities Mission. Kakinada has a tropical savanna climate with hot, humid weather most of the year. The warmest time of the year is late May and early June, with maximum temperatures around 38–42 °C (100–108 °F). January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures of 18–20 °C (64–68 °F). The city gets most of its seasonal rainfall from the southwest monsoon, although considerable rain also falls during the northeast monsoon (from mid-October to mid-December). Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal frequently strike the city.

Conditions of Service

A 4-month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of Rs. 42,473.67 (Rupees Forty Two Thousand Four Hundered Seventy Three and Paise Sixty Seven only) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Interested candidates should submit their applications at http://www.in.undp.org/content/india/en/home/operations/careers/.

Under the overall supervision of CEO, EGREE Foundation and direct supervision of the State Project Coordinator and the Socio-economic and Livelihood Specialist (coordination with the Project Officer, UNDP/MoEFCC, when required), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Planning strategies for sustainbility of the livelihood component of the project
• Executing/followup the livelihood activities initiated under the AWP of GOI-UNDP-GEF-GoAP project
• Mobilize/capacitate/strengthen local communities in adopting sustainable livelihoods  that reduce dependency on mangrove ecosystem
• Support linking of sectoral plan recommendations with  various corpoartes/institutes/ Govt Departments, esp in the contect of livelhoods
• Conducting trainings & workshops, facilitate exposure visits for the communities and other stakeholders
• Conduct and promote women empowerment activities that promote sustainable utilization of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.
• Drawing/Planning community-based resource governance systems and alternatives
• Provide support to the development, implementation and/or evaluation of the project activities in the focal area.
• Promoting the  conservation based livelihood activities  and village development  activities in coordination with the Industires/ Corporates/ Govt Institutions/ Civil socity Organizations 
• Provide technical support to project implementation at the landscape level particularly in the effective and quality delivery of socio-economic/ livelihood activities.
• Assist the specialists in implementing of Natural Resource Plan, micro-plans.
• Conduct fund raising activities for sub-projects and prepare proposals for sustainable livelihood promotion
• Support in preparation of Terminal Evaluation of the project

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs

• Strengthened EGREE Community Institutions for sustainable livelihoods
• Coastal and marine biodiversity conservation mainstreamed into production sectors
• Ecologically sustainable community owned ecosystem based enterprises established and scaled up
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.

Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Master’s Degree in the field of Social sciences/Economics/Social Work/ Sociology/Ruaral Developement/Natural Resource Mangement or related field

Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills

Familiarity with the working environment and professional standards of international organizations.

At least 3 years experience in implementation of community based natural resource management projects, esp in coastal ecosystems

Partnership with GOI institutions on livelihood promotion/community empowerment/ natural resource management

Partnership with NGOs and civil society, and with participatory approaches

Proficiency in English and computer literacy

Knowledge on analysis of GIS imagery

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.