National Project Manager

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

• The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem & land restoration, disaster management and resilience, and access to clean and efficient energy.
• The Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity pillar of ACE is supporting the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The programme/projects under the pillar have been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), National and State level planning for land restoration and biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, carbon sequestration through enhanced restoration, promotion of nature-based livelihoods and One Health approach.
• UNDP is supporting the Ministry in the implementation of a Global Environment Facility -7 project “Sustainable management and restoration of degraded landscapes for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in India”. The project aims to achieve land degradation neutrality by creating additional carbon sinks through an ecosystem-based approach for restoring degraded agricultural, forest, pastoral lands, and surface water bodies. It involves enabling institutional frameworks and policies for integrated sustainable land management practices and up-scaling landscape-wide practices in 3 states Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh contributing to the national target of restoring 26 Mha of degraded lands by 2030.
• The project being implemented over a period of five years will lead to the following outcomes: (1) Enhanced national, state and district-level enabling frameworks incentivizing SLM practices and supporting participatory multi-sector platforms to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate mitigation; (2) Integrated participatory landscape design and financing models established in support of avoidance, reduction and reversal of land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and negative impacts of climate change to generates multiple sustained environmental and economic benefits; (3) Improved capacity for LDN monitoring, assessment and reporting to UNCCD in support of LDN target setting and evaluation of capacities of partners; allowing government institutions and other agencies to better document, analyse and disseminate effective intervention strategies for restoring productive landscapes and replication of best practices at national and state level, and at international level through improved South-South cooperation, knowledge and adaptive management.
• UNDP seeks to engage a National Project Officer who will support the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and UNDP in the implementation of the GEF- GoI- UNDP project mentioned above on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to making a positive contribution to development in India.

Job Purpose and Scope of Work

• The National Project Manager will be based at Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), New Delhi, India. S/he will work under the overall guidance and supervision of Senior Advisor and Team Lead and day to day supervision on the implementation issues with Govt. Partner. oversee day to day project management and regular monitoring of project. Further, s/he will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the MOEF&CC.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Lead and coordination:

• Assist the Ministry and UNDP in initiating the project, liaising with the State Nodal Department/Officer in the inception of the project, setting up the project management unit, and hiring staff for the project management unit, both at the central, State and Landscape Level Project Management Units.
• Provide support in the organization, coordination, and conduction of project-related activities (NPSC meetings, trainings, workshops, stakeholder consultations, arrangements of study tours, etc), as per the availability of the project stakeholders.
• Maintain regular contact with members of the NPSC, technical committee, State and Landscape Level Project Management Units, consultants, technical agencies, relevant stakeholders and the UNDP Country Office.
• Develop proposals to mobilize resources from donors such as GEF, GCF, bilateral and corporate CSRs and line departments to ensure maximum project outreach.
• Develop concepts and proposals for leveraging financial and technical resources from government, private sector and other programmes in line with project commitments.
• Liaison with the State Governments to ensure implementation and utilization of financing contributions, as committed.
• Facilitate cross-thematic partnerships and build linkages of projects in UNDP and the Ministry.
• Prepare technical inputs and support the required analyses, coordination with project partners, such as ICFRE, IIFM, etc. and strengthen the global knowledge platform developed as Gandhinagar Information Platform (GIP)
• Coordination with the Ministry for the establishment of the GIR-GIP Alliance and Platform.

Management and implementation of projects:

• Be responsible for the day-to-day programme management on both organizational and substantive matters – budgeting, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects and ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders.
• Ensure smooth implementation of the project as per the project documents.
• Work closely with the Project Management Units in the preparation of Annual Work Plans, including quarterly and annual targets, and monitor, track and manage project activities and expenditures as per the Annual Work Plan.
• Guide the work of the SPMU, technical agencies and consultants and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan for smooth, effective and timely implementation of the project and its activities.
• Provide technical inputs to the project activities where appropriate.
• Analyse the situation in project implementation, identify operational and financial problems, and provide support for the development of solutions.   

Monitoring and reporting of projects:

• Guide in developing and monitoring project indicators, targets and milestones of the project.
• Supervision of regular data collection and analysis, as well as reporting and public outreach via mass media, events, and other means, to disseminate the results of the project and to promote biodiversity conservation and natural resource management in the project landscapes.
• Prepare and submit progress reports related to the project in the portfolio such as Project Implementation Reports, Quarterly Progress Reports, Project Results Monitoring Pathway, annual reports and other required reports to the NPSC, UNDP, and GEF timelines.
• Support in conducting Mid-term review and Terminal Evaluation of the project as required.
• Ensure compliance of all projects with internal quality assurance (QA) protocols and timely updates on the internal system.
• Ensure compliance of project activities with UNDP and GEF Social and Environmental Standards at National and State levels, in coordination with the state-level M&E associates.
• Lead and facilitate the audit of the assigned project and comply with audit recommendations and requirements.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI):

• Coordinate with UNDP Country Office and respective State Project Management Units on preparation, finalization and implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies and action plan
• Undertake gender responsive capacity building programmes for key stakeholder groups.
• Monitor progress in implementation of the project Gender Action Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan ensuring that targets are fully met, and the reporting requirements are fulfilled.
• Oversee/develop/coordinate implementation of all gender-related work.
• Train landscape level project staff in mainstreaming gender into project activities and implementation, ensuring targets are fully met and the reporting requirements are fulfilled
• Review the Gender Action Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan annually, and update and revise corresponding management plans as necessary.                     

Communications and Knowledge Management:

• Support in the development and implementation of communication strategy and action plan for the assigned project under the portfolio.
• Support the development of knowledge products such as factsheets, brochures, publications etc. and develop dissemination action strategy
• Help create visibility of the projects through various platforms including events and social media.
• Facilitate the sharing of knowledge and information within the project teams and across other teams.
• Work on the potential project outreach plan and its execution to ensure maximum project outreach. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Forestry / Agriculture / Ecology / Environmental Science or related fields 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 of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in programmes and projects related to biodiversity conservation, land restoration, natural resource management, or related fields.

Required Skills:

• Sound knowledge and understanding of gender & environmental issues.
• Good communication (written and oral), interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel and Word; Advanced knowledge of spreadsheets, database management and research skills will be an asset.
• Ability to deliver time-sensitive tasks assigned.
• Ability to work with a diverse set of experts and consultants.
• Experience working with local communities and villagers is an asset.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the country.

Desired Skills:

• Sound knowledge on the process and guidelines of GEF projects.
• Experience working with government departments at the central or state level or with UN agencies like the World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, FAO, etc. in at least 2 projects.
• Must have worked as a Project leader in at least 2 projects related to biodiversity conservation, land restoration, natural resource management, or related fields.
• High level of understanding of natural resource management, procedures and guidelines relating to approval and implementation of projects.
• Experience liaising with government departments at the national and state level.
• Experience in managing a team of 10 – 15 people.

Language:

• Fluency in Hindi and English is required.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/21731