Office/Unit/Project Description

SC & ST Department, Government of Odisha 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 Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act. 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.

The SC & ST Department, Government of Odisha 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 SC & 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.

The Project Associate- Sustainable Livelihood and Skill development will be part of the Project Management Unit and will work under the overall supervision of the PMU State Coordinator and in close collaboration with Programme Lead, Tribal Development, UNDP with functional support from State head of Office, UNDP Odisha. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Government of Odisha when needed.

• Support in designing business development plans and programmes, skill /technology improvement training to ensure sustainability of community-based institutions like Self Help Groups, women federations and producer groups.
• Undertake Research, ideate, structure and propose a plan for livelihood enhancement of Tribal Communities indifferent areas of the state like Eco-tourism, Minor Forest Produce (MFP), agriculture and allied sectors. Further, conceptualise, formulate & support implementation of ‘Skill Development & Placement Linked Employable Training’ programme.
• Monitor and streamline existing projects of the department to identify core areas needed for skilling and vocational training specially for Tribal communities built in their culture.
• Coordinate with Odisha Skill Development Agency & other stakeholders for implementation and assess training agencies for providing employment support to the trained candidates.
• Ensure that agencies report skill development trainings programme through online MIS system and analytical reports along based on periodic visit to ensuring quality of training as per the required standards and specification are prepared.
• Provide handholding support for third party assessment of the candidates and the assessment agencies;
• Support in preparation of the Quarterly/ Annual Project Report (progress against planned activities, publications, update the Project Assurance team and organize workshops, seminars and round tables to share project outputs with stakeholders involved.
• Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming)
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Direct Reporting To[1]: PMU State Coordinator, NPSA 8

Overall Reporting To[2]: Programme Lead- Tribal Development, NPSA 9

Reportees to this position (if applicable): Nil 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Remuneration starting at INR 9,38,398 (Annual) / INR 78,200 (Monthly) as per the scale depending on qualifications and experience. The remuneration is excluding 8.33% pension amount paid over and above the salary.