Job Opportunity for Project Associate – Monitoring and Evaluation at UNDP in Bhubaneshwar

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 – Monitoring and Evaluation to support the PMU at SC & ST Department, Government of Odisha 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 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.

• 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, monitoring and reporting of the project. Document progress against project implementation plans, results matrix, milestones, and targets and compiling quarterly and yearly report.
• Support in designing and disseminating monitoring resource materials. Assist in development of quality assurance tools for knowledge management. Contribute to the design of 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.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Min. Education requirements

Secondary education is required. 
Or 

A university 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.

Min. years of relevant work experience 

• Minimum 6 years (with High School diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of work experience in rural and tribal development sector or relevant related field is required. 

Required skills 

• Domain knowledge/experience in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice and social inclusion.
• Good knowledge/experience of Results-Based Management.
• High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)  

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience in Monitoring and evaluation in social sector/Tribals schemes and programs. 
• Prior experience in using Monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Experience/Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and project.
• At least one year of experience of working in government/international agency funded projects is desirable.
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.
• Experience/Ability to establish, build, and sustain effective relationships, partnerships, and alliances, advocate effectively, and communicate sensitively.