State Project Associate

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.

 

 

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. 

 

Project Description 
 

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) project – on “Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities” supports the Government of India and the state governments in the project states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra, to enhance the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change through ecosystem based adaptation (EbA). The project combines GCF grant finance with significant leveraged co-finance from central and state governments to shift the paradigm towards a new approach, integrating ecosystem-centred and community-based approaches to adaptation into coastal management and planning by the public sector, the private sector and civil society. The project supports the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India and the nodal departments of the target State governments, to enhance the resilience of the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations, particularly women, in the coastal areas of India to climate change and extreme events, using an ecosystem-centered and community-based approach in three target states. This project as well contributes towards the achievement of climate priorities outlined in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008), the State Action Plans, as well as commitments outlined in India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (2015). The Climate Change, Resilience and Energy portfolio at UNDP is currently working in various thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; disaster management and resilience; and access to clean and efficient energy. The project works at national, state and community levels to enhance capacities for ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and enable climate policy and finance shifts to catalyze climate action in all of India’s coastal states and union territories. 

 

The project will enhance the resilience of coastal communities throughout India, through the implementation of interventions under the following inter-linked outputs: 

 Output 1: Enhanced resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems and their services. 

 Output 2: Climate adaptive livelihoods for enhanced resilience of vulnerable coastal communities; and 

 Output 3: Strengthened coastal and marine governance and institutional frameworks for climate resilient management of coastal areas. 

 

The above will be achieved through interventions outlined below in target landscapes in the three states – Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha: 

 Protect and restore ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass 

 Help communities adopt climate-adaptive livelihoods and value chains 

 Mainstream EbA principles into coastal planning and governance, enabling intersectoral coordination for addressing climate risk across all of India’s coastal states.

 

The target districts and landscape sin Maharashtra are as follows:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Job Purpose and Scope of Work 

The State Project Associate will be a part of the State project management team and will work under the direct supervision of the State Project Manager (SPM), Maharashtra, UNDP India and will work in close collaboration with the Finance and Admin Officer at the National Project Management Units (NPMU), New Delhi. S/he will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives in coordination with the state nodal agency (Forest, Environment and Climate Change department, Govt. of Maharashtra), when needed. 

 

A. Main Purpose: 

S/he shall look after the administrative functions for smooth implementation of the project in the State and would be responsible for the overall administrative related work including procurement, travel and logistic and HR. 

 

B. Duties and Responsibilities: 
 

Administrative management: 

 Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day administrative support functions to facilitate the project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans; 

 Provide support to state project team in the implementation of their tasks for the achievement of project results (communication, contracts, agenda, visas, hotel reservations, etc). Maintain records on all project personnel/state consultants and their respective status (contracts, ToRs, time and attendance – if appropriate, etc.) in accordance with accepted policies and procedures; 

 Prepare and issue contracts; make pertinent logistical arrangements for the prompt and effective implementation of the programme activities; draft minutes of Project Board and other project related meetings. Prepare and circulate meeting minutes, workshop proceedings etc. 

 Assume overall responsibility for administrative matters of a more general nature, such as registry and maintenance of project files and records; arrange external and internal meetings (including the meetings of the Project Board, Technical level, as well as other relevant meetings etc.). 

 Assistance in preparation of documents, guidelines, presentation and follow up on Admin related matters with state partners. Facilitate data and information collection with the sectoral line departments for undertaking the project activities. 

 Support State Project Management Unit in preparation monthly, quarterly, and annual reports 

 Coordinate meetings/workshops, trainings and capacity building events. Provide technical and logistical support for organizing workshops, meetings and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

 

Procurement: 

 In accordance with the Work Plan arrange for procurement of equipment, supplies and services;  Create and manage e-requisitions in Quantum; 

 Arrange for equipment maintenance and insurance as required; 

 Ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UNDP procedures; 

 Physically clear and ensure delivery of equipment and supplies procured for the various programme sites; 

 Maintain equipment and spare inventory including verification and transfer when required. 

 Any other related task assigned from time to time by State Project Manager. 

 

 

Institutional Arrangement 

 

Reporting To: State Project Manager (SPM) Maharashtra 

Repotees to this position (if applicable): NA

 

 

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 

 

Required Skills and Experience

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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