Project Associate – Monitoring and Evaluation – UNV jobs in India

• Location: India
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: UNV
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-03-08

Details
Mission and objectives
As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

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 na-tional 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 current Country Programme, 2018-2022, is in its final year of implementation. Our new Country Programme (2023-2027), which comes into effect in 2023, builds on our pri-or 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.

Context
Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra 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, taking into account 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 Tribal Development Department 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 tribal development 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.

Task description
UNDP proposes to engage a Project Associate- Monitoring and Evaluation to support the PMU at Tribal Development Department, Govt. of Maharashtra to develop and prepare criteria for quality monitoring of various schemes and programmes in the department.

The Project Associate – Monitoring and Evaluation 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. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives with other team members

• Assist in preparation of comprehensive and realistic monitoring plan and strategies with appropriate data sources, collection methods, analysis plans, quality controls and resource requirements. Provide suggestions to PMU as well as the State Tribal development department on development and preparing criteria for quality monitoring of the programmes and schemes.
• Support the establishment of stronger working relations between multi-sectoral institutions to ensure greater coordination and cooperation and results-based reporting including evidence-based decision making and implementation.
• Coordinate Monitoring, Data Collection, and Reporting across thematic areas as well as inter departmental coordination.
• Assist in updating the results and monitoring and reporting on the Project. Document progress against project implementation plans, results matrix, milestones, and targets and compiling quarterly and yearly report.
• Assist in developing quality assurance tools for knowledge management.
• Support in designing and disseminating monitoring resource materials. Assist in designing thematic activities and knowledge-sharing forums and encourages others to participate.
• Support the Project Team on efforts in deepening coordination, collaboration, and synergy within the within the Department and with other key stakeholders, innovation and lessons learned.
• Any other tasks provided by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation in social sector/tribals schemes and programmes
• Prior experience in using Monitoring and evaluation tools.
• At least one year of experience of working in government/international agency funded projects is desirable.
• Domain knowledge in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice and social inclusion
• Ability to establish, build, and sustain effective relationships, partnerships, and alliances, advocate effectively, and communicate sensitively
• High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset
• Willingness to travel when required.

Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Development programmes

Driving license
–

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Hindi, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Marathi, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in social science, rural development, arts, science or any other relevant field.

Competencies and values
• Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
• Multi stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Mumbai – Maharashtra: Mumbai, is the most populous city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, offering a wide variety of jobs from conventional industries to IT services. It is also home to the Bollywood film industry. As India’s capital of finance, Mumbai has the greatest number of fin-tech startups, and the cost of living and rental prices remains reasonably high.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Mumbai. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

This assignment is part of the special programme initiative ‘Strengthening Health Systems and Access to Services for Marginalized Communities’. As per the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service, Section XVIII, the Conditions for this assignment are amended as follows:
– The Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) will be INR 90,000/- per month
– The UN Volunteer is not eligible for entry lumpsum or travel costs
– Health insurance will not be provided to dependents of the UN Volunteer
– Access to UNV learning will be restricted to mandatory courses and free-of-charge learning resources provided by UNV.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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