National Programme Manager

UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2023-2027) intended outcome 2 states that “By 2027, people will benefit from and contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth through higher productivity, competitiveness and diversification in economic activities that create decent work, livelihoods, and income particularly for youth and women”.

The Sustainable and Inclusive Growth portfolio is aligned to outcome 2 of the UNDP country plan. The focus of the portfolio is enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized communities across the country. Under the portfolio, there are several projects being implemented Across different thematic areas such as Skills, Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods, Women Entrepreneurship and Youth Innovation, Accessible and Inclusive Social and Risks protection Mechanism, Care Economy with focus on

• Socio-economic empowerment and resilience building of marginalized and vulnerable populations through bridging the information gap, building managerial, financial, and digital capacities and improving access to opportunities.
• Support unlocking the full impact of public supports schemes– Agri Insurance & Credit, Social protection, Forest Rights and Entitlements, Skill India, NULM with improved Institutional Capacity, Service Delivery and Enhanced Coverage
• Confront the significant barriers and stigma faced by women and girls, enhance agency and promote inclusive workplace.
• Promotes responsible business behaviour as well as greater industry participation specifically SMEs in the skilling ecosystem.
• The overall objective of the proposed engagement is to work closely with the Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Unit and extend expert input and support on skilling and employment aspects of the programme implementation. This will include providing research, proposal writing, collating, and verifying data, developing communication collaterals, leading online/offline events.
• In this regard, UNDP would like to engage a National Programme Manager with multi-disciplinary experience and the ability to provide high quality outputs with a focus on resource mobilization and effective project management.
• Direct Reporting To: Head of Poverty, Sustainable Inclusive Growth, NOC
• Direct Repartee: Six

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Programme Manager, Sustainable Inclusive Growth, will be responsible for developing, designing and steering the implementation of various projects under the portfolio and will work in close collaboration with project implementation teams and other programme portfolios to ensure a collaborative and harmonized joint UNDP programme. S/He will also lead the resource mobilisation for the portfolio and will formulate strategies and programmatic response to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for vulnerable and marginalised populations.

Effective project management (planning, development, and implementation) of all projects within the portfolio

• Steer implementation of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth project activities and take lead in coordination and management of relevant projects.
• Ensure effective implementation of project progress, financial management and achievement of results, in accordance with UNDP policies, UN rules and regulations and applicable donor requirements, including identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions, follow-up on audit recommendations.
• Undertake effective application of Result Based Management (RBM) tools in project management and gender disaggregated impact monitoring.
• Liaise with all relevant stakeholders including the Government, private sector and other partners to ensure smooth implementation of project activities, and to build and strengthen existing relationships.
• Performance of the functions of a project supervisor, including goal setting and reviews of supervisees and participation in recruitment processes.

Partnership development and resource mobilization

• Undertake analysis and research on the country’s political, social, and economic environment for the formulation and design of new projects and proposals and funding opportunities with a focus on private sector and Government departments.
• Collaborate closely with the partnerships team and other UNDP verticals as well as with other UN agencies to lead resource mobilization for the portfolio.
• Identify new project ideas in line with UNDP and the Inclusive Growth unit’s priorities and develop project proposals, documents, and concept notes to facilitate resource mobilization efforts in consultation with UNDP country office.
• Lead consultations on project formulation and agreements.
• Coordinate with donor agencies on the project thematic focus and follow up as required.
• Prepare substantive inputs to key strategic and policy documents which direct and guide UNDP’s support interventions on livelihoods and inclusion.
• Coordinate closely with technical advisors at the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH), government, private sector, CSOs and other institutions to ensure an effective formulation process leading to the approval of projects.

Team supervision and guidance

• Support project team in preparation, review, and implementation of detailed project reports of plans.
• Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study tours and related activities relevant to the implementation of the projects;
• Identify priorities and capacity development needs in the design of work plans and establish a timely and participatory work planning process.

Knowledge generation and management

• Lead or support preparation of reports on programme activities, outputs, and outcomes as well as donor reports, as required.
• Write and communicate on best practices and lessons learned linked to programme and policy goals.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Oversee quality assurance of all communications and knowledge products produced by the Inclusive Growth portfolio.
• Represent UNDP in meetings and fora on livelihoods and inclusion.
• Contribute to the UN’s work in India, and actively participate in the UNCT Results Group on Poverty and Inclusion. Share knowledge and best practices with other programme units and support them, as needed, in programme formulation and implementation.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Masters) in Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or closely related fields, OR
• First Level University degree in Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or closely related fields

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (post Master’s) OR 7 years (post Bachelor’s) of relevant experience at the national and international level in programme/project management in international development organizations, bilateral
• development agencies and/or international NGOs.
• Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
• Proven programme management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
• Excellent interpersonal, communications and writing skills.
• Good analytical skills.
• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity.
• Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset.
• Additional years of relevant professional experience highly desirable.
• Builds and promotes effective teams using mentoring and conflict resolution skills.
• Works as a team member
• Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
• Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course.
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.
• Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Willingness to travel.

Required languages:

• Fluency in English and Hindi is essential.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/22902