Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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 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 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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP has entered into a partnership with the State Government of Tamil Nadu by bringing on board required technical sectoral expertise to the Department of Planning and Development to work across departments to drive an integrated development agenda to promote the faster achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the State. In line with the Indian model of SDG localization led by NITI Aayog, the Government of Tamil Nadu intends to establish a Sustainable Development Goals Coordination Centre (SDGCC) as an attached entity of the Department of Planning and Development. UNDP proposes technical support to SDGCC in Tamil Nadu through the partnership model agreed by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.

SDGCC Tamil Nadu is envisaged as a think tank, knowledge centre for providing high quality, cutting-edge policy and integrated advisory services to the State departments to accelerate economic, social and environmental goals. It seeks to bring together government, the private sector, academia, and civil society to create sustainable solutions to social problems. SDGCC work with the government to identify the most pressing challenges, team up with local leaders to develop and test solutions, bring in expertise and technology from the private sector, adopt the skills and tools to build agency and institutional capability, respond to citizen demand for responsive services, enhance government program delivery, capture and disseminate best practice locally and regionally, and ultimately expedite creative, systemic, transformational and sustainable change for the State.

In this aspect, UNDP proposes to engage a Development Goals Associate, Skilling and Livelihood Employment sector to support SDGCC Tamil Nadu for enhancing the employment opportunities in the state as a part of related activities of the center.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP proposes to engage a Development Goals Associate to support SDGCC Tamil Nadu in its efforts to enhance development effectiveness by enhancing the employment opportunities through strengthening the skilling and livelihood initiatives. The incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks under the overall guidance of the Chief Development Goals Specialist, SDGCC Tamil Nadu (NPSA 11). S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Government of Tamil Nadu when needed.

Coordinate discussions with the relevant departments for design and development of specific interventions within the State for skilling and livelihoods including apprenticeship and entrepreneurship.
Conduct policy research as required on skilling ecosystem, jobs and entrepreneurship, and related areas to address the gaps and to improve effectiveness of the implementation of flagship schemes/missions of the Government of Tamil Nadu and provide necessary technical assistance
Support in drafting strategies, including the action plan for its implementation under the supervision of the concerned department / maintaining regular contacts and exchanges with departments and other stakeholders, collecting, and integrating comments received from reviews of the document
Identify potential partnerships in the sector to strengthen the skilling and livelihoods ecosystem in the State
Organize workshops, discussions, and meetings with practitioners and stakeholders related to the thematic areas to share information and also to gain insights from the ground
Supporting the CDGS in regular reporting to Steering Committee pertaining to the SDGC

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management Competencies:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management

Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
Evaluation: Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks -Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concern

Programme and Policy:

SDG Integration – SDG monitoring and reporting

External Relations and Advocacy:

Event Planning & Execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree with 5 years of experience in, Development Studies or related field or
Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of experience in Development Studies or related field would be given due consideration

Experience:

Master’s Degree with Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in development in a governmental, private sector or multilateral organization and demonstrable technical expertise on skilling, livelihoods and employment generation or
Bachelor’s Degree with 7 years’ experience in development in a governmental, private sector or multilateral organization
Demonstrated experience at the national or state level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and governments.
Excellent data analytical skills and interpretation.
Domain knowledge on skilling, livelihoods and employment will be preferred.
Possess excellent technical skills in multi sectoral socio-economic research and project performance assessment.
Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation of development project activities.
Experience on project management, good computer knowledge and Proficiency of MS Office.
Broad knowledge and understanding of development issues for the State of Tamil Nadu.

Required Languages:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of local language is desirable.

Note: This position is open to India nationals only.

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