Background
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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.
Duties and Responsibilities
UNDP proposes to engage a Project Associate-Sustainable Livelihood and Skill development to support the PMU at SC & ST Department, Government of Odisha, and to undertake research, ideate, structure and propose a plan for livelihood enhancement of Tribal Communities in different areas of the state like Eco-tourism, Minor Forest Produce (MFP), Agriculture and allied sectors.
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.
Institutional Arrangement
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
[1] Direct Supervisor is responsible and accountable for supporting in day to day functions, provide work instructions, leave approval, conduct PMDs etc.
[2] Overall Supervisor is usually next in line to Direct Supervisor who manages overall team / unit and provide functional support as and when required and has overall responsibility to manage quality assurance
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
| Business Development | Knowledge Generation | Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need |
| 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 |
| Business Management | Evaluation | Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns. |
| Digital & Innovation | Data analysis | Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision-making |
| Business Management | Monitoring | Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programmes performance and results |
Required Skills and Experience
| Min. Education requirements | - Secondary education is required.
Or - A university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Arts & Commerce, Social Science, Social work, Rural development, international development or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
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| Min. years of relevant work experience | - Minimum 6 years of work experience with high school (3 years for candidates with bachelor’s degree) of working experience in the rural & tribal development sector.
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| Required skills | - Domain knowledge/experience in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice and social inclusion.
- Experience in Policy analysis and planning related to tribal issues.
- High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
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| Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section | - Experience of working on issues of livelihood and advocacy related to Tribal’s schemes and programmes.
- Experience in the field of Tribal Development, livelihood, innovations in governmental or non-governmental organizations.
- Demonstrated experience of working on issues of Tribal development.
- Good understanding/experience of tribal development related schemes and legislations
- At least one year of experience of working in government/international agency funded projects is desirable.
- Knowledge/experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.
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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.
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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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