Project Officer (Infrastructure & Climate Change) (NPSA8) – UNDP India

Apply Before  05 April  2022, 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.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

Degree Level First Terminal University Level Qualification 4 years or more

Vacancy Type National Personnel Service Agreement

Bureau Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific

Contract Duration1 Year

Education & Work Experience Bachelor’s Degree Other Criteria 2 years of relevant work experience

Required Languages English and Hindi

Desired Languages Odia

Vacancy Timeline 2 Weeks

UNDP is currently working in various areas concerning sustainable development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment and resilience. The Climate Change, Resilience and Energy portfolio at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; disaster management and resilience; and access to clean and efficient energy.

UNDP and FCDO (Govt. of UK) have entered into a partnership to implement the Infrastructure for Climate Resilient Growth – Extended Phase (ICRG-EP), to be implemented in States of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Infrastructure for Climate Resilient Growth (ICRG) is a technical assistance program of FCDO and Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India aimed at enhancing the capacities of vulnerable groups for addressing climate change risks through integrating climate concerns into planning and implementation of rural infrastructural development programmes like the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA– piloting them at grass root level and strengthening capacities of various stakeholders in the planning/ implementing value chain.

This will be achieved through the following interventions in the project States:

• Awareness and scientific knowledge of the States on climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation/mitigation strategies for rural development are enhanced;
• Institutional and stakeholders’ capacities for coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of climate informed actions at different levels within the States are strengthened; and
• Potential for mainstreaming climate concerns in development programmes to be replicated and upscaled through knowledge exchange and interstate learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Officer is to be hired for the project implementation phase. S/he will be based at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha and shall work under the guidance and supervision of the State Project Manager, UNDP India. The secondary reporting would be to the National Project Manager, UNDP India. As this is a full-time position, s/he cannot hold any other job/assignments during this assignment.
The candidate will be expected to provide support to state PMU, closely work with the MGNREGS Odisha Society, liase with other government departments and facilitate executing the ICRG activities in the iCRG project area. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the State Project Manager to undertake the assignments.

• Access and analyse the climate change and vulnerability data for the project area and develop climate responsive planning and design tools for MGNREGS works in the project area;
• Closely work with technical institutions like IIT, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and come out with climate compatible models in the project area;
• Support in designing training modules in consultation with the State PMU and train the state and district level officials to incorporate climate change in planning and design of MGNREGS and other social protection schemes of government;
• Organise specific trainings for districts having specific interventions of ICRG like climate induced migration in western Odisha, enhancing adaptive capacity of PVTGs etc;
• Gather experience from other states/countries to demonstrate model climate resilience practices in the project area;
• Closely work with MGNREGS Odisha Society to strengthen the Climate Change
• Resource Cell set up under ICRG project;
• Contribute in planning during Labour Budget of MGNREGS using GIS tools, watershed based planning and any other IT based tools;
• Organise State and district level workshops to disseminate the learning and experience of best practices;
• Closely work with the State Programme Manager and the State PMU in planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of all project activities in Odisha.
• Provide help in day to day management and reporting on the activities.
• Document and prepare briefs on the progress of project activities and their outcomes for PMU and UNDP;
• Any other related task assigned from time to time by State Project Manager.

Competencies

Core:

• 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 Diverse and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and 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 

• Partnership Manager: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies;
• Evaluation: Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks;  Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns;

Partnership Management 

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in environmental science/climate change/Engineering;
• Advanced university education in environmental science/climate change/ Engineering.

Experience: Essential: 

• A minimum of 2 years of work experience in the implementation of national/state level development programmes in the areas of Natural Resource
• Management, watershed, infrastructures, etc. is essential
• Good understanding of environment, rural infrastructure and rural development issues at national and state level. S/he needs to be conversant with the available knowledge on issues related to climate change adaptation for natural resource management at the state level
• Additional years of relevant work experience will be desirable
• Experience of working with National/ State Governments/ NGOs/ Civil Society on similar assignments will be preferred
• Hands-on experience in implementation and monitoring of projects related to climate change
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems
• Ability to build strategic partnerships with a wide array of stakeholders working in the field of rural development
• Good client orientation skills to meet client needs
• Ability to promote accountability and Resource Based Management
• Excellent documentation skills
• Outstanding communication, project management and organisation skills
  Ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with colleagues (and reports where appropriate)
• Treat people with respect and is co-operative, supportive and helpful with a positive contribution to the working environment.

Language Requirement: 

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Hindi is mandatory. Working knowledge on Odia is desirable.

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.
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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.
 
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