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.

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 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.

More than half of all livelihoods in India is primarily dependent on agriculture. A massive 54.6% of the total workforce is engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities and 57% of the rural households are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, the agricultural sector is facing various challenges like small landholding, declining productivity, rising input costs, declining farm income, the adverse impact of climate change, and decline in the percentage share of workers engaged in the agriculture sector. Agricultural production shocks have huge social and financial repercussions, impacting rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and poverty rates.

The Government of India’s flagship schemes Pradhan Mantri

Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY) and KCC/MISS have become important tools to strengthen the resilience of Indian farmers. The schemes ensure maximum benefits for the farmers by providing financial risk protection against natural calamities and catastrophic events including pests, climate uncertainties and environmental shocks. Apart from providing comprehensive risk coverage for the entire crop cycle, PMFBY also enables direct claim transfer into farmers’ accounts through e-remittance. Additionally, to address agrarian distress, Kisan Credit Card/ Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) was introduced by the Government of India to provide cheap and hassle-free credit for millions of farmers and to ensure continued investment into agriculture to bring in mechanization, modernize agriculture practices and eventually enhance productivity.

UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2023-2027) intended outcome 2 states that “By 2027, people will benefit from and contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth through higher productivity, competitiveness and diversification in economic activities that create decent work, livelihoods, and income particularly for youth and women”. UNDP leverages its expertise in systems strengthening to support the Ministry of Agriculture through setting up of Central Program Management Unit (CPMU) for the implementation of PMFBY and KCC, to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among marginalized and excluded farm households, offering innovative measures and support mechanisms for Agri-value chain financing, risk management and reduced crop loss for the rural population in India. The PMU will also focus on providing Capacity Building and Training support to participating state-level government departments involved in PMFBY and KCC and advancing the scheme among new states for improved uptake.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Technical Support and Training Associate (B) – Technical Support Unit will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Programme Director-TSU. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Joint Secretary & CEO, DoA&FW, MoA&FW when needed.

Focused domain area – Capacity Building of stakeholders on Technology based Techniques and Applications.
Stakeholder-wise need assessment for capacity building and trainings.
Prepare stakeholder-wise training schedule as per seasonality discipline.
Conduct/deliver stakeholder-wise trainings as per schedule on CCE Agri App, SST, Use of Remote Sensing Technologies, Satellite Data in PMFBY/RWBCIS.
Preparation of Sops pertaining to specific technique/topic.
Work on updating of training material and content.
Support in organizing trainings/conferences/workshops etc.
Support in assessment of trainings conducted.
Support in liaising with and networking with different stakeholders.
Evaluation of trainings conducted.
Contribute to developing a pool of Master Trainers/Resource Persons and networking with
Apex/Training Institutes.

Competencies

Core 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:

Partnership management

Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.
Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.

Digital & Innovation

Digital learning & development: Knowledge of digital learning methods and ability to design and develop digital learning programmes

Ethics

Ethics Advice & Guidance: Ability to quickly analyze complex fact patterns and provide comprehensive, sensitive, and confidential ethics advice and guidance.

General (across the functions)

Event planning and 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.

Communications

Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.

Partnership management

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.
Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

High School or Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture / Agriculture engineering / Insurance or closely related field will be given due consideration.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years’ (High School) or 4 years (bachelor’s degree) of demonstrable experience in capacity building, training and coaching in preferably technology and technical application in agriculture/insurance/finance/banking sector in India or internationally.
Additional years of demonstrable experience in capacity building, training and coaching in preferably technology and technical application in agriculture/insurance/finance/banking in India or internationally.
Relevant Experience at the national and State level working with Governments and private entities in the insurance/finance/Banking sector.
Strong understanding of extension methods in communicating with different set of stakeholders.
Direct working experience in the design and implementation of awareness/education and training programs for farmers.
Relevant Experience at the national level working with Governments and private entities in the insurance sector.
Sound Technical Knowledge in the design and implementation of financial literacy and crop insurance awareness/education and training programs for resource poor farmers.
Broad based knowledge current rural insurance and finance, outreach to insurers and implementing agencies, farmers.
Knowledge of Agriculture Insurance national policies and existing schemes, regulatory laws related to crop insurance, related concepts, policies and practices.
Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and requirements of the post with excellence.
Possesses the capacity for strategic planning, result – based management and reporting.
Good facilitation and communication skills
Ability to carry out research and communicate strategic pieces that guide decisions on strategic programme directions.
Tailors and presents information to diverse audiences using a variety of communication delivery methods (e.g., written, electronic, oral, interpersonal) Documentation.
Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi- cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and connecting with a wide range of stakeholders – insurance agencies, farmer organizations, state agencies etc.
Hands-on experience in design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Ability to lead consultative meetings at national and state level with partners and senior stakeholders to identify priorities and manage the timely delivery of project activities.
Reliable in delivering own parts of the work as part of a team effort.
Demonstrates excellent work/project planning skills.
Is open to change and ability to manage complex, ever-changing environments.
Familiarity with international insurance practices is an advantage.
Experience of working with Central and/or State Governments/ international agencies/ on similar assignments will be preferred.
Prior experience of technical advisory services in the insurance sector.

Language Requirement:

Excellent oral and writing skills in English and Hindi

Remuneration starting at INR (Annual) 12,38,820 / 1,03,235 INR (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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