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Research Assistant (Short-term)

Dehradun

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Dehradun
  • Grade: Administrative support - Administrative Services and Support - Generally no need for Higher Education
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Scientist and Researcher
  • Closing Date: Closed

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.

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

India has been an agriculture-based economy. Though in absolute terms agricultural GDP is growing, as a ratio of the total GDP of the economy- it has been declining. Simultaneously, the percentage of the population dependent on agriculture declined to 48 per cent in 2011, from a high of 85 per cent in 1951. However, seen in terms of absolute numbers, a sizable population is still dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. Since this sector influences the lives of a large population, several efforts have been made since independence to evolve appropriate agricultural policies affecting both the producers and the consumers. 

The Government of India in its budget for the year 2016-17, had made a commitment to double the income of the farmers by the year 2022. According to the inter-ministerial committee for Doubling Farmer’s Income (DFI), the average income of a farmer in the state of Uttarakhand (Base Year 2015-16) stands at INR 61833 (Farm income - INR 18862; Non-Farm income- INR 42971) and at current prices, the income for the target year 2022-23 has been calculated as INR 1,34,253 (Farm income- INR 49173; Non-Farm income- INR 85080). 

While laying emphasis on doubling farmers’ income, the Uttarakhand Government has underscored the need for transforming agriculture with focused efforts in horticulture, including aromatic and medicinal plants to realise the vision of improved productivity, livelihood generation and expanded state-wide tourism. Thus, improved horticulture and promotion of state-wide tourism driven in the Mission Mode will yield a plethora of livelihood options as outlined under Vision 2030 document (With the Base year taken as 2017-18). 
 
Thus, in the stride towards realizing the goal of doubling farmers’ income by the year 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttarakhand has sought technical assistance from UNDP in the development of a strategy document for the same. The overall objective of the study (including the survey) is to assess the status of the various Central and State government programs and schemes on agriculture and allied activities and measure the impact of such Centre and State led initiatives on the farmer’s income across all 13 districts of the State. UNDP has already completed the study and submitted the report. The agriculture department with the support of research assistant wants to develop strategy document under the broad theme of ‘transforming agriculture’ based on the recommendation provided by UNDP.
 
Job Purpose and Scope of Work
 
A. Main Purpose: 
In context of the above, UNDP Uttarakhand seeks to engage a Research Assistant to assist the experts at Agriculture Department and work closely with relevant government departments, technical agencies, UN agencies, civil society organizations and academic institutions to provide the requisite impetus to the state government’s initiative in rolling out the green economic growth. The services of the Research Assistant are required in doing the desk research to work towards generating awareness on initiatives taken by the Government of Uttarakhand and help build necessary capacity amongst internal and external stakeholders.
 
She/he will be assisting team members in developing, managing, co-coordinating, networking, implementing, and monitoring a communication and capacity-building strategy and associated products and activities on a regular basis with public audiences, with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, and generating support for the promotion of green economy through livelihood opportunities set by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttarakhand when needed.
 
Duties and Responsibilities: 

He/she will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the State Head – Uttarakhand, SDG Acceleration Team, UNDP and will perform the following functions: 

 Assist in Preparing a policy document related to agriculture policy in Uttarakhand. 
 Conduct secondary research related to agriculture schemes, production, and doubling farmers’ income in Uttarakhand. 
 Assist in Preparing strategic documents to implement the suggestion provided in the DFI report prepared by UNDP. 
 Assist the Secretary of Agriculture in management-related works. 
 Coordinate with stakeholders and assist in organizing meetings, workshops, and capacity development workshops. 
 Collection of background information on various initiatives, and priority thematic areas of the government related to Green Economy integration and acceleration. 
 Analyze background information and interpret it into articles, draft policy briefs, etc. 
 Compile success stories and learnings from the state. 
 Desk-based research on the progress of the state initiatives. 
 Analysis of the data related to various departments and their interpretation. 
 Assist in updating the Secretary on global initiatives. 
 Compilation of various internal and external reports for the Agriculture Department. 
 Assist in implementing digital media and communication strategies for Agriculture Department. 
 Assist in Training Plans and Packages to fast-track the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. 
 Assist in the facilitation of awareness and capacity development workshops.
 
Institutional Arrangement 
Direct Reporting To1 : State Head Uttarakhand, NPSA 9 Overall 
Reporting To2 : Policy Specialist, NPSA 9 
Reportees to this position (if applicable): Ni
 
 
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 Direction and Strategy 
Strategic thinking 
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 
 
Business Management 
Evaluation 
Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks -Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concern 
 
Business Management 
Working with Evidence and Data 
Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 
 
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 
 
Digital & Innovation 
Data analysis 
Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
 
Required Skills and Experience
 
Min. Education requirements 
 Secondary education is required. University degree in agriculture/Horticulture/Rural Development/ Agribusiness or any related subject will be given due consideration but not a requirement. 
 
Min. years of relevant work experience 
 At least five years of experience in agriculture/development/social sector with high school/secondary education. 
 Minimum two years of experience with a bachelor’s/university degree would be given due consideration. 
 
Required skills 
 Experience working in the agriculture policy will be an added advantage. 
 Good exposure to social mobilization processes, tools and techniques. 
 Understanding and awareness about mountain agriculture especially Uttarakhand. 
 Development and Operational Effectiveness 
 Excellent analytical skills particularly with social processes. 
 Good communication and drafting skills 
 
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section 
 Good analytic and writing skills and proven ability to aggregate and synthesise research literature and extract key messages and arguments on multisectoral aspects. 
 Knowledge and familiarity with data collection and data analysis methods and statistical packages.  Knowledge of SDG’s 
 
Required Language(s) 
 Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of local language is mandatory. 
 
Professional Certificates 
 N/A
 
 
Disclaimer

 

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 
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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