Regional Specialist – Southern India Region – UNDP India

Apply Before 7th June 2023, 11:59 PM

UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from democratic governance to poverty eradication, to sustainable energy and environmental management. UNDP’s programmes are aligned with national priorities and are reviewed and adjusted annually.

Job Schedule Full time
Agency UNDP
Grade NPSA-11
Vacancy Type National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area SDG Integration
Bureau Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration 1 Year
Education & Work Experience Master’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 9 year(s) experience
Required Languages English
Desired Languages Local language
Vacancy Timeline 2 Weeks

Job Description

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.
• 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 current 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 supportedby 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 reachthose 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.

In this regard, UNDP would like to engage a Regional Head – South India with multi-disciplinary experience and the ability to provide high-quality outputs with a focus on project management, team management, Government Relations, Resource mobilization with the Government and Private sector, CSOs as well as other development partners.

The Regional Specialist – Southern India Region, will be responsible for developing, designing and steering the implementation of various projects and will closely guide the project implementation teams and other programme portfolios to ensure a collaborative and harmonized joint UNDP programme. S/He will also lead the resource mobilisation and will formulate strategies and programmatic responses to effectively scaleup the UNDP operation in the south region. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Advisor, UNDP. S/he will be based in Bangalore with frequent travel across the project locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake research and leads development studies

• Undertake analysis and research on the southern state’s political, social and economic environment for the formulation and design of new projects and proposals and funding opportunities for all the CO teams with a focus on the private sector and Government departments
• Project planning, development and implementation.
• Identifies development priorities of the States from the State governments and existing Donors.
• Collects, analyses and presents information and data on social, political and economic priorities.
• Continuous scoping of the development landscape in the state/ region and translating opportunities into concrete projects in collaboration with relevant programme units and projects of UNDP.
• Identifies development priorities of the States from the State governments and existing Donors.
• Designs mechanisms and programmes to address the developmental needs of marginalized communities
• Builds and maintains collaborative partnerships
• Leads the regional office and coordinates with stakeholders, provide Strategic
• Advice, Policy support and provides substantive contribution to key policy discussions at the state/ regional level to ensure that priority issues are addressed.

Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with state government, UN

• Agencies, donor agencies and civil society organisations (esp organizations led by women and marginalized populations) on issues related to UNDP’s work and mandate.
• Leads on programme formulation, proposal development and portfolio building at state/ regional level and accountable to UNDP in ensuring the implementation of the state component of the Country Plan and related annual work plans.
• Builds support for key social and economic priorities through partnerships.
• Identifies activities and areas of cooperation to support effective implementation of State schemes or initiatives.
• Identifies activities and areas of cooperation to support effective implementation of State schemes or initiatives and ensures that the programmes/schemes are inclusive, participatory and have effective outreach and optimizes impacts on intended beneficiaries as well as identifies and designs solutions to overcome obstacles to effective implementation of policies and programmes.

Ensures administration and financial support for smooth functioning of the office focusing on achievement of the following results

• Measures and monitors the impact of UNDP’s work at the state/ regional level to allow for a continuous analysis of the programme environment as well as necessary adjustments of programme interventions and then continuously monitors and assesses development outcomes vis a vis all state level projects.
• Ensures Financial Oversight and Coordination between various Projects operational in the region.
• Undertake any other task assigned by supervisor.
• Translates UNDP priorities into interventions at regional, state and district levels.
• Provides support to the State Government in achievement of SDG targets
• Measures and monitors the impact of UNDP’s work at the state/ regional level to allow for a continuous analysis of the programme environment as well as necessary adjustments of programme interventions.
• Leads and manages the UNDP Regional Office team. Coordinates with other UNDP state offices in identifying best practices of relevance to North East Region

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management competencies:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional &Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look
like for UNDP

Business Management   

Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s project and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Resource Management: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Partnership Management  

• CSO Engagement: Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs
• 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
• Resource Mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
• Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:

Master’s degree with 7 years’ experience in International Development, Development Economics, Social Sciences or a closely related field (as per the identified theme), candidates with Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of experience in in International Development, Development Economics, Social Sciences or a closely related field (as per the identified theme) would be given due consideration.

Experience:

• At least 7 years’ of relevant experience in development in a governmental, private sector or multilateral organization with Master’s Degree or 9 years of relevant work experience for candidates with Bachelor’s degree.
• Of which 3 or more years of senior-level advisory responsibilities of similar scope and complexity.
• Relevant experience of working in South India is essential.
• Field experience / practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
• Ability to focus on impact and results for the State and donor partners.
• Ability to lead, manage complexity and contribute effectively to team work.
• Familiarity on functioning of state and national government agencies and non-government organizations.
• Experience of working with Central and / or State Governments on multisectoral assignments will be preferred.
• Strong policy analytical skills that can be applied to the development and application of methods and tools for SDGs.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and capacity to build strong relationships with partners.
• Experience in partnering the relevant stakeholders (public, private and CSO’s) and compile key takeaways and identify plugins required to fill the policy gaps in the existing schemes/initiatives
• Ability to work with multiple line departments and/or levels within each line departments in order to embed the policy reforms required to achieve the desired outcomes
• Understanding of issues and context.
• Skills and knowledge to build linkages between SDGs and with the state priorities.
• Displays gender sensitivity and promotes gender equality in all aspects of work.
• Ability to advise on problems carefully and logically, leading to fact-based and practical recommendations.

Required Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.
• Knowledge of local language is essential.

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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