Job Opportunity for Project Associate – Monitoring & Evaluation at UNDP in Lucknow

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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. 

The success of SDGs in Uttar Pradesh has direct link to the localization of the goals due to the vast geographic and demographic specialty of the State.  There is a need for a strengthening data collection, coordination, reporting and validation of statistics on the SDGs under the Department of Planning. The Department of Planning is the nodal agency for coordinating and fast-tracking of SDGs in the State. The Department has finalized its State Indicator Framework (SIF) and District Indicator Framework (DIF) in accordance with the National Indicator Framework and has adopted them as per the needs of the state. There is a need to strengthen capacities to report on these indicator frameworks as well as coordinate between various departments/districts to provide accurate data to support the monitoring and measurement of progress of SDGs in the state. 

Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP has been playing the role of SDG integrator and provided support to the NITI Aayog and states of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Nagaland for SDG implementation and localization through SDG Coordination Centers. UNDP is proposing to set up an SDG Cell in Uttar Pradesh to provide technical support to the Planning Departments, build awareness and capacity of all stakeholders around SDG 2030 Vision of Uttar Pradesh, encourage data update at district and divisional level, and fast-track the achievement of the SDGs. The SDG cell will adopt following strategies to support the implementation and localization of SDG in the state:

  • Dividing Uttar Pradesh in 5 zones for monitoring and coordination purpose regarding SDG implementation and localization 
  • Baseline study on awareness and understanding regarding SDG, NIF, SIF & DIF at the district level and creation of 75 district SDG vision report 
  • Creating of District SDG Monitoring Committee chaired by District Magistrate in each district supported by planning department staff available in the district 
  • Creation of Information, Education and Communication products and messages and its dissemination through institutional mechanism in each Gram Panchayat, Urban Local Bodies, and district level staff
  • Follow up with each department nodal officer for clearing the backlog of data entry in SDG dashboard portal 
  • Capacity Building of department nodal officers at state level, nodal staff for each goal and department at district level staff on SDG, NIF, SIF & DIF

Main Purpose:

UNDP proposes to engage a Project Associate – Monitoring & Evaluation  to support the SDG Cell at Uttar Pradesh in its efforts to enhance development effectiveness by improving systems, tools and mechanisms for policy and strategy planning, reporting, monitoring, analysis, and evaluation. He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Government of Uttar Pradesh when needed

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Coordinate with nodal officers of each department on data entry and backlog on SIF 
  • Analyze the data and try to understand the progress of the various departments / district of the state on SDG 
  • Support in creation of Dashboard and preparation of Indices and updates 
  • Support in preparation of report cards on progress by departments, districts goal wise 
  • Support in creating information materials on SDG
  • Support in setting targets for the indicators and monitoring the progress in concurrent manner
  • Support in evaluation of government schemes and programmes
  • Any other task assigned by the supervisor. 

Institutional Arrangement

Direct Reporting To: SDG Project Analyst, , UNDP India, NPSA8

Overall Reporting To: Policy Specialist, SDG, NPSA9 

Reportees to this position (if applicable): Nil

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 Management –  Results-based Management    

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results 

Business Management –  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. 

Business Management   -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 

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements   

•   High School certificate

Or 

•    Bachelor’s degree in development economics, statistics, public administration, public policy, or related social science field would be given due consideration

Min. years of relevant work experience    

•   At least 6  years’ experience of working on developmental solutions at the grass root level with high school or 3 years with Bachelors degree

Required  skills    

•   Demonstrated Work experience in SDG related monitoring framework or implementation will be advantageous 

•   Excellent data analytical skills and interpretation.

•   Must have ability to write clearly and concisely, and have sound quantitative skills (managing, analyzing and interpreting data).

•   Excellent communication skills.

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

•   Must have ability to write clearly and concisely, and have sound quantitative skills (managing, analyzing and interpreting data).

•   Experience on project management, good computer knowledge and Proficiency of MS Office.

•   Broad knowledge and understanding of development issues for the State of Uttar Pradesh.

Required Language(s)   

 •   Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.

Knowledge of local language is desirable.

 Remuneration– starting at INR 9,38,398 (Annual) / INR 78,200 (Monthly) as per the scale depending on qualifications and experience. The remuneration is excluding 8.33% pension amount paid over and above the salary

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