State Project Officer, MP (Open to all applicants)

Please Note The Appropriate Tier Indicated In The Vacancy Title And Ensure That You Are Holding The Applicable Contract As Defined BelowTier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contractsTier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

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.

Duties And Responsibilities

Reporting To: National Project Manager, UNDP IndiaReportees to this position (if applicable): NAThe Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; disaster management and resilience; and access to clean and energy efficiency.The ACE Unit has been working on several adaptation and mitigation initiatives that involve strategic, sector-specific interventions across several states in India. These initiatives aim to support transition to a low carbon economy, to support sustainable and inclusive development, to identify and create livelihood provisions (and green jobs) and to build climate resilience of the vulnerable communities by integrating climate change considerations in the planning and implementation of national and state government development programmes. The overarching ambition under these projects is to build upon UNDP’s existing experience and expand to new geographies and sectors; with new/innovative low-emission technologies and climate/nature positive solutions. One such project is on ‘Localizing Data Science for Climate Change Adaptation’.Providing localized data is essential for implementing and upscaling effective climate change solutions. Similarly, information from different regions of the country is critical to feeding into the formulation of policies and programmes that are effective and useful. Such localization would include conducting context-specific research, assessments, and pilots that could be immediately relevant for assessing impacts, risks, and adaptation strategies in different geographic regions of the country.UNDP, with support from BMGF (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) is implementing this project with an approach to utilize inputs from both climate science and local/indigenous knowledge systems for an effective and robust climate change adaptation action for long term resilience of agriculture sector and linked natural resources like water and land.The Overall Objective Of This Initiative Is To Strengthen The Capacities Of Local Civil Society Organizations To Plan, Implement And Scale-up Climate Change Adaptation Actions – Especially Related To Agriculture And Natural Resource Management At District/regional Levels. More Specifically, The Expected Outcomes Are

• Mechanisms to facilitate integrating climate science with local knowledge for planning development programmes in agriculture and NRM sectors institutionalized.
• Climate Risk informed Livelihoods (farm and non-farm) mainstreamed at State/Regional level with improved empirical evidence and technical capacities.
• Strengthened policies and decision-making through integrated science and local knowledge based on successful demonstration of climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management.
  

In the first phase, the project shall be implemented in four agro-climatic zones across four different states namely Western Himalayan Region (Uttarakhand), East Coast Plains and Hills (Odisha), Central Plateau region (Madhya Pradesh) and Middle Gangetic Plains (Bihar).

• Main Purpose:
  

The State Project Officer (SPO) will be mainly responsible for managing the implementation of project activities under the project Localizing Data Sciences for Climate Change Adaptation in the State of Madhya Pradesh. The State Project Officer will be required to work with and support the National Project Manager in overall project implementation and will be responsible for the supervision of the State Project Management Unit (PMU) as well as coordination and liaison with State Government Departments in the respective States. S/he will be based at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and shall work under the guidance and supervision of the National Project Manager (NPM), UNDP India. The secondary reporting would be to the Head– Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP India. To ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objective, he/she will facilitate coordination with the relevant/key stakeholders in the State.
As part of the ACE Unit, the State Project Officer is also expected represent UNDP in the State and to map the development priorities of the State and liaise with various stakeholders to explore new opportunities for ACE/UNDP in the state.

• Duties and Responsibilities:
  

The Specific Tasks For The Assignment Include

• Project management and implementation
• Manage the project implementation in Madhya Pradesh in close coordination with the National Project Manager through planning, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of all the project activities in the respective State.
• Establish and foster partnerships with relevant state government departments like Agriculture, Rural Development, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Rural Development, Water resources, etc.
• Establish linkages with relevant technical institutions and Civil Society Organizations working on agriculture, NRM and climate change issues in the respective State.
• Develop state specific annual work plans and ensure accurate and timely reporting on the activities and their progress in the respective State.
• Support in development of Terms of reference for consultants/ consultancy firms/CSOs to be engaged to undertake project activities.
• Facilitate activities such as research studies, assessments, capacity building, consultation and knowledge sharing workshops, etc. as required under the project and manage the operational aspects of procurement, event management, logistics etc. in coordination with NPMU.
• Identifies activities and additional areas of cooperation that can be leveraged for effective implementation of the project State.
• Ensure that the project (and other interventions) are inclusive, participatory and have effective outreach within the State
• Coordinate with national team and other state project teams under the project to share lessons and experiences.
• Project monitoring and review to achieve results:
• Manage contracts with project partners and flag any potential risks and suggest their mitigation measures. Ensure timely contract management, deliverables and related payments.
• Undertake review meetings with partners and field visits to track progress made in implementation of the project and take corrective action as required.
• Identifies and facilitate solutions to overcome challenges for effective implementation of the project in the State.
• Review quality and consistency of reports and deliverables by partner institutions/ responsible parties including financial reports from all project partners,
• Ensure effective financial management and reporting as per the UNDP financial guidelines,
• Prepare quarterly and annual project progress reports; provide necessary information and inputs for preparing presentations and other documents for review meetings like project steering committee to the National Project Manager.
• Facilitate and participate in the periodic review meetings and discussions related to project implementation, monitoring and follow-up.
• Partnership development and resource mobilization
• Identify key priorities of the state and map emerging opportunities for UNDP interventions
• In conjunction with Country Office develop new partnerships and projects for strategic interventions in the State aligned to ACE Units’ portfolio
• Participate in meetings at state level in the context of programme and partnership building.
• Provides policy advice and technical inputs to relevant State Government Department based on the learning from UNDP interventions
• Identifying best practices of relevance to the State and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned at the State level
• Ensure coordination between various UNDP Projects within the State to leverage learning and expertise between different projects.
  

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 Direction and Strategy

• Strategic thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
  

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
  

Business Management

• Communication: 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
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively. Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
  

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Climate
• Climate Change Adaptation: Cross-sectoral climate resilient livelihoods
• Climate Change Adaptation: Fostering Food Security and resilient Agricultural systems
  

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) from a recognized institution in Development Studies/ Environmental Studies / Environment Management/ Sustainable development/Social science / public policy is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) from a recognized institution in Development Studies/ Environmental Studies / Environment Management/ Sustainable development /Social science / public policy in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  

Experience

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of experience of programme / project management experience, project design and implementation.
  

Required Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of the development context and challenges with regard to key developmental issues with special focus on climate change and ecosystem management at State level
• Demonstrated experience in independently leading and managing Project Office as part of a large organization or entity. Demonstrated experience in project planning, implementing and achieving project outcomes
  

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

• Demonstrated experience of working with Central and/or State Governments on similar assignments.
• Familiarity with the working environment and professional standards of international organizations
• Demonstrate knowledge on issues related to climate change adaptation for natural resource management at the state level.
• Excellent technical and analytical writing skills demonstrated by relevant reports, publications and research papers etc.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
  

Required Languages

• Fluency in Hindi and English is mandatory.
  

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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