Project Coordinator-State Project Management Unit (SPMU)

Background

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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. 

Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh is the nodal department for overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for development of Scheduled Tribes (STs). The department has accorded high priority and adopted multifaceted development strategies to promote socio-economic growth of the STs. Specific interventions are being implemented including implementation of protective legislations such as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The programmes and schemes for tribal people are intended to support and supplement the efforts, primarily of other state departments to fill critical gaps within institutions and programmes, considering the situation of STs. These schemes comprising of economic, educational, and social development through institutional building, are administered by the line departments. Notwithstanding numerous developmental interventions, the STs continue to face developmental deficits with respect to health, education, livelihood, development infrastructure as well as other socio-economic indices, many of which are well below the national average.

Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh is committed to providing equitable access to opportunity for the tribal communities, through participatory approach and adoption of innovative methods including e-governance and increasing use of technology to provide strategic inputs into the development process. To accelerate the implementation of the development agenda for the tribal communities and strengthen the institutional delivery systems at the State and district level, it is important to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the officials and stakeholders to deliver on the issues related to tribal empowerment and create robust systems for monitoring and implementation of the ST schemes of the Central and State government.

The Department is working in collaboration with UNDP to fast-track development in difficult geographies inhabited by tribal populations, enhancing capacities of government functionaries and expanding opportunities for better livelihoods, health and education to vulnerable tribal communities.

UNDP proposes to engage a Project Coordinator- SPMU to support the PMU at Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh to lead and provide guidance to the PMU team in effective planning, monitoring and implementation of the tribal development programmes in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Reporting To: Regional Head, Southern India Region
Reportees to this position (if applicable): 9 TPC

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator- SPMU will be part of the Project Management Unit and will work under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Head Southern India, with functional support from the Chief Advisor and the project team members and day to day supervision on the implementation issues with the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives in coordination with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Planning and Management:

• Provide technical support in planning process for the project and ensure its implementation in accordance with the signed project document.
• Lead and provide strategic guidance to the PMU team in effective planning, monitoring and implementation of the Tribal Welfare Programmes in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Lead and strategize the advocacy work, identify research areas and develop capacity building programmes for implementing officers and practitioners on the ground.

Partnership Building:

• Undertake coordination with the Tribal Welfare Department’s knowledge partners for initiating partnerships etc.
• Organize workshops, seminars and round tables to share project outputs with stakeholders involved. Render support to related UNDP thematic activities such as publications, knowledge sharing and group discussions.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Monitor implementation of project components, analyze problems that hamper their implementation and take appropriate measures to ensure timely delivery of project’s resources (inputs) for the achievement of programmatic results.
• Ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. Maintain the production of project outputs through activities.
• 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.
• Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming)

Knowledge Management:

• Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).
• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff. 

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 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

People Management competencies: 

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management:

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Monitoring and 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.
• Partnerships management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and other in-line with UNDP strategy and policies

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
• Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and
  mutual understanding

Business Direction & Strategy:

• Systems 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

Digital:

• Team design & management: Ability to create a clear sense of shared purpose while leveraging curiosity, expertise and agency at an individual level. Set up and manage team rituals and rhythms that create a safe space for learning and reflection. Foster a positive culture around failure, encourage exploration, experimentation. Set the conditions and structures for 'fluid' team modelling and distributed leadership enabling the team to continuously develop and renew itself. Ability to create synergy between team members with diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, being able to leverage their broad knowledge and skillsets
   

Required Skills and Experience 
 
Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Rural Development, Development Management, Social Work, Public Policy or related field is required. Or
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above 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 bachelor’s degree) of experience in rural and tribal development sector.
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming.
• Demonstrated experience of addressing challenges pertaining to Tribal development.
• Experience of working in government/international agency funded projects is desirable
• Prior experience in research and analysis of policy and programmes related to Tribal development.
• Experience in project management in the fields of Tribal development, laws and policies, innovations in governmental or non-governmental organizations.
• Good knowledge and experience with Tribal development related schemes and legislations
• Prior experience and domain knowledge in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice, and social inclusion is required.
• High-level of IT/computing skills in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint 

Required Languages: 

• Fluency in English, Hindi and Telugu is required. 

Disclaimer 

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)  
 
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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