Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. 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.
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.
You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.
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 Officer (PVTGs, Art 273, PMAAGY) to support the SC & ST Department, Govt. of Odisha to provide support in formulating Policy, designing specific interventions for promoting livelihood programmes for Particularly vulnerable Tribal Groups in the state of Odisha.
The Project Officer (PVTGs, Art 273, PMAAGY) will be part of the Project Management Unit and will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Lead, Tribal Development, UNDP with functional support of State Head of Office, UNDP Odisha and project team members and day to day supervision on the implementation issues with the Government of Odisha. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Government of Odisha.
- Provide technical inputs in preparation and issuances of guidelines, policy formulation, designing of specific interventions for promoting livelihood programmes, clarifications for development of PVTGs and addressing critical gaps through the process of planning their developmental works in the villages identified under PMAAGY scheme, in accordance with the gaps identified.
- Undertake research and data collection on issues related to PVTGs and Habitat Rights of PVTGs besides mapping the same, use the findings for successful advocacy and decision making to ensure benefits available to the PVTG communities under the Central and State schemes and the gaps therein.
- Provide inputs on critical gaps through data analysis of significant developmental indicators and information about availability of resources to facilitate access to basic services and infrastructure facilities to the tribal villages.
- Design Training and Capacity building framework as well as organize consultations, and other cross learning initiatives for habitat rights for PVTGs, enabling community leaders, field level functionaries and elected representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to take charge of the program implementation.
- Coordinate among various overlapping and inter-linked departments for convergence of various welfare schemes and maintain a proper MIS regarding convergence initiatives undertaken and compile the achievement under different programmes with respect to livelihood and quality of life improvement under different activities pertaining to SC & ST Department.
- Ensure compliance to matters related to report of Governors, submission of comments on the reports of National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST), monitoring of court cases & provide timely compliance of various legal matters referred to the State/UT Government by MoTA as well as follow up on grievance related matters and coordinate with the relevant departments for clarification and addressing of the issue.
- 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.
Competencies:
Core competencies:
- 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
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Rural development, arts or any other relevant field is required. Or
- A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Up to 2 years (with Master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of experience in the rural and tribal development sector or relevant related field is required.
- Experience/Domain knowledge in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice and social inclusion.
- High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Sound knowledge/experience of development challenges and solutions for Scheduled Tribes with specific focus on PVTGs will be preferred.
- Experience of working on issues of livelihood and advocacy related to Tribal’s schemes and programmes.
- Prior experience in research and analysis of Policy and programmes related to Tribal development.
- Good understanding/experience of tribal development related schemes and legislations.
- Working experience in Government or relevant multilateral institutions.
- Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.
- Willingness to travel when required.
Required Languages:
- English and Hindi and/or Odia
- Knowledge of another UN language is desirable
Remuneration:
- Remuneration starting at INR 14,35,933 (Annual) / INR 1,19,661 (Monthly) as per the scale depending on qualifications and experience. The remuneration is excluding 8.33% pension amount paid over and above the salary.
Disclaimer
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.
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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