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.
UNDP is working in the State of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu on SDGs, Skill development and mutually agreed sectors of interest. It is planned to widen the operations in the south region in partnership with the respective state government to support the states to meet the national development agenda. The Regional office is now in the process of drawing up specific plans of action with time bound targets and milestones in discussion with various line departments.
The overall objective of the proposed engagement is to work closely with the state governments and manage the project implementation across southern India. This will include networking with the state governments, relevant departments, private sector, civil societies, implementation of the projects, and leading online/offline events. S/he will provide leadership at the regional level, coordinate UNDP’s efforts, lead programme formulation and proposal development and build the state/ regional partnership portfolio at the state/regional level.
UNDP proposes to engage a Programme Associate to work under the supervision of the Regional Head of Southern Region, S/he will be based in Bangalore with frequent travel across the project locations. The incumbent will be responsible for following tasks:
Coordination between different stakeholders and their representatives, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Building relationships with state governments, UN Agencies, donor agencies and civil society organizations on issues related to UNDP’s work and mandate.
- Ensures compliance of rules and procedures of Government and UNDP
- Designs and develops new proposals and new partnerships at the States/Regional level.
- Ensures communication and coordination of meetings with the line departments in a timely manner
- Prepares agenda items and minutes of the meeting in consultation with the respective Chair and Regional Head.
Ensures administration and financial support for smooth functioning of the office focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Prepares budgets for UNDP
- Supports procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals as per requirement of the state office
- Organizes workshops, retreats/ hotel and conference facilities service, as required
- Records receipt of goods in ERP (ATLAS)towards the delivery of the goods/services
- Manages protocol matters, coordinates with local authority on space and other administrative matters and ensures smooth running of state office
- Prepares monthly/quarterly/annual financial reports for Government funded projects, as per requirement.
Supports key social and economic priorities of the States/Region:
- Designs and develops proposals and builds new partnerships.
- Identifies funding and Implementation opportunities to support priorities of the States/Region from existing Donor, State and Private Funds.
- Responsible for writing concept notes, project briefs and communication drafts.
- Identifies activities and areas of cooperation to support effective implementation of State schemes or initiatives.
- Collects, analyses and presents information and data on social and economic priorities.
- Undertakes scoping exercise of the development landscape on a continuous basis in the states/ region and translates opportunities into concrete projects in collaboration with relevant programme units and projects of UNDP.
Provides support to the State Government in achievement of SDG targets:
- Identifies key priorities of the states/ Region and maps it with the emerging national consensus on SDG indicators and targets.
- Provides support to develop tools for monitoring, evaluation and reports progress on SDG indicators.
- Undertakes any other task assigned by supervisor.
- 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 Development
- Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
- Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
- 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
- Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization's business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.
External Relations& Advocacy
- Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.
- Public relations: Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organization, its mandate, and its brand while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public
- High school certificate or Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Commerce, Science, Management or any other related field.
- Any other professional qualification related to project management, public procurement, etc. will have added advantage.
- A minimum of 7 years with high school certificate or 4 years’ with Bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in administration and proposal development and project implementation.
- Leadership and Interpersonal skills, along with knowledge of risk management and negotiation skills.
- Effective Communication skills with an understanding of problem-solving techniques, critical thinking.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). Experience in handling of web-based management systems.
- Demonstrated experience in administration, financial support, procurement process, event management and report preparation
- Relevant experience working with State/Central Government or UN agencies, and multi-lateral organisations.
- Prior knowledge to develop tools for monitoring, evaluation and reporting progress on SDG/related indicators
- High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong policy analytical skills that can be applied to the development and application of methods and tools for SDGs.
- Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset
- Willingness to travel when required
Language requirement:
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of local language is mandatory.
Remuneration starting at INR 12,38,808 (Annual) / INR 1,03,234 (Monthly) as per the scale depending on qualifications and experience. The remuneration is excluding 8.33% pension amount paid over and above the salary.