Job Description

• Project Lead and coordination:

• Assist the Ministry and UNDP in initiating the project, liaising with the State Nodal Department/Officer in the inception of the project, setting up the project management unit, and hiring staff for the project management unit, both at the central, State and Landscape Level Project Management Units.
• Provide support in the organization, coordination, and conduction of project-related activities (NPSC meetings, trainings, workshops, stakeholder consultations, arrangements of study tours, etc), as per the availability of the project stakeholders.
• Maintain regular contact with members of the NPSC, technical committee, State and Landscape Level Project Management Units, consultants, technical agencies, relevant stakeholders and the UNDP Country Office.
• Develop proposals to mobilize resources from donors such as GEF, GCF, bilateral and corporate CSRs and line departments to ensure maximum project outreach.
• Develop concepts and proposals for leveraging financial and technical resources from government, private sector and other programmes in line with project commitments.
• Liaison with the State Governments to ensure implementation and utilization of financing contributions, as committed.
• Facilitate cross-thematic partnerships and build linkages of projects in UNDP and the Ministry.
• Prepare technical inputs and support the required analyses, coordination with project partners, such as ICFRE, IIFM, etc. and strengthen the global knowledge platform developed as Gandhinagar Information Platform (GIP)
• Coordination with the Ministry for the establishment of the GIR-GIP Alliance and Platform.

2. Management and implementation of projects:

• Be responsible for the day-to-day programme management on both organizational and substantive matters - budgeting, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects and ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders.
• Ensure smooth implementation of the project as per the project documents.
• Work closely with the Project Management Units in the preparation of Annual Work Plans, including quarterly and annual targets, and monitor, track and manage project activities and expenditures as per the Annual Work Plan.
• Guide the work of the SPMU, technical agencies and consultants and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan for smooth, effective and timely implementation of the project and its activities.
• Provide technical inputs to the project activities where appropriate.
• Analyse the situation in project implementation, identify operational and financial problems, and provide support for the development of solutions.

3. Monitoring and reporting of projects:

• Guide in developing and monitoring project indicators, targets and milestones of the project.
• Supervision of regular data collection and analysis, as well as reporting and public outreach via mass media, events, and other means, to disseminate the results of the project and to promote biodiversity conservation and natural resource management in the project landscapes.
• Prepare and submit progress reports related to the project in the portfolio such as Project Implementation Reports, Quarterly Progress Reports, Project Results Monitoring Pathway, annual reports and other required reports to the NPSC, UNDP, and GEF timelines.
• Support in conducting Mid-term review and Terminal Evaluation of the project as required.
• Ensure compliance of all projects with internal quality assurance (QA) protocols and timely updates on the internal system.
• Ensure compliance of project activities with UNDP and GEF Social and Environmental Standards at National and State levels, in coordination with the state-level M&E associates.
• Lead and facilitate the audit of the assigned project and comply with audit recommendations and requirements.

4. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI):

• Coordinate with UNDP Country Office and respective State Project Management Units on preparation, finalization and implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies and action plan
• Undertake gender responsive capacity building programmes for key stakeholder groups.
• Monitor progress in implementation of the project Gender Action Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan ensuring that targets are fully met, and the reporting requirements are fulfilled.
• Oversee/develop/coordinate implementation of all gender-related work.
• Train landscape level project staff in mainstreaming gender into project activities and implementation, ensuring targets are fully met and the reporting requirements are fulfilled
• Review the Gender Action Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan annually, and update and revise corresponding management plans as necessary.

5. Communications and Knowledge Management:

• Support in the development and implementation of communication strategy and action plan for the assigned project under the portfolio.
• Support the development of knowledge products such as factsheets, brochures, publications etc. and develop dissemination action strategy
• Help create visibility of the projects through various platforms including events and social media.
• Facilitate the sharing of knowledge and information within the project teams and across other teams.
• Work on the potential project outreach plan and its execution to ensure maximum project outreach.

CompetenciesCore:

• 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

Cross-Functional & Technical:

• Business Direction and Strategy: Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP\'s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
• Business Management: Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Business Management: Risk Management: Ability to identify, analyse and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
• 2030 Agenda Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy: Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management
• Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Required Skills and ExperienceEducation:

• Advanced university degree (master\'s degree or equivalent) in Forestry / Agriculture / Ecology / Environmental Science or related fields is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor\'s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with master\'s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor\'s degree) of experience in programmes and projects related to biodiversity conservation, land restoration, natural resource management, or related fields.

Required Skills:

• Sound knowledge and understanding of gender & environmental issues.
• Good communication (written and oral), interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel and Word; Advanced knowledge of spreadsheets, database management and research skills will be an asset.
• Ability to deliver time-sensitive tasks assigned.
• Ability to work with a diverse set of experts and consultants.
• Experience working with local communities and villagers is an asset.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the country.

Desired Skills:

• Sound knowledge on the process and guidelines of GEF projects.
• Experience working with government departments at the central or state level or with UN agencies like the World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, FAO, etc. in at least 2 projects.
• Must have worked as a Project leader in at least 2 projects related to biodiversity conservation, land restoration, natural resource management, or related fields.
• High level of understanding of natural resource management, procedures and guidelines relating to approval and implementation of projects.
• Experience liaising with government departments at the national and state level.
• Experience in managing a team of 10 - 15 people.

Language:

• Fluency in Hindi and English is required.

DisclaimerUnder US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

United Nations Development Programme