Job Description

Job Identification
19752
Locations
New Delhi, India Posting Date
07/30/2024, 07:10 AM
Apply Before
08/13/2024, 10:59 PM
Job Schedule
Full time
Agency
UNDP
Grade
NPSA-7
Vacancy Type
National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area
Nature, Climate and Energy
Bureau
Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration
1 Year
Education & Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree - 4 year(s) experience OR High School certificate- 7 year(s) experience
Required Languages
English and Hindi
Vacancy Timeline
2 Weeks

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.



Office/Unit/Project Description



UNDP is currently working in various areas concerning sustainable development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, and sustainable energy, environment and resilience. The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; disaster management and resilience; and access to clean and efficient energy.



This initiative is designed to minimize negative impacts and risks to environment and to human health in India, by enhancing sustainable Plastic Waste Management practices, through a socio-technical model (segregation/collection/ recycling) while ensuring compliance with regulations, to improve use of resources and in line with Swachh Bharat Mission in India; in this project the waste pickers (Safai Mitras) will be institutionalized with respective governance mechanisms and attain improved social conditions. Project's targets at the end of period are, to better manage an amount more than 85,000 MT/year of plastic waste and to improve socio-economic conditions of 30,000 plus Safai Mitras.



To achieve the project objective and outcomes, the project is structured in 4 components:



Component 1 aims to develop support and implement an economically sustainable model (ESM) for packaging plastic waste management. This component focuses on developing and implementing the model at 50 selected cities in different States. It also entails support and active involvement of key stakeholders relevant to plastic waste management in urban areas in India for a holistic approach in convergence with the existing mechanisms and resources. This will also include an analysis of present regulatory mechanisms and practices followed, subject to relevance to 'plastic waste' in specific and current resources and technologies available as well as for creating an enabling environment and covering under their umbrella the various kinds of plastic waste, including plastic bottles.



Component 2 focuses on design and implementation of Pilots in City Units (Swachhta Kendras) for improved plastic waste management, in the administrative wards of selected 50 cities. Socio-technical approach is to be applied to combine improved technological development in handling, with the social aspects of waste collection and segregation. This component represents the core development of the project, from its results; projections will be developed towards implementation in the entire country.



Component 3 is directed mainly to design, sustain, and provide elements to institutionalize Swachhta Kendra in governance bodies and to obtain improved socio-economic conditions for waste pickers. This is to be achieved by incorporating the plastic waste management model, and its main stakeholder's presence and importance, into urban local bodies at city, state, and national levels; by obtaining Safai Mitras' activities recognition as a service to society, with the corresponding starting up of their mainstreaming; and by fostering and strengthening self-help groups for Safai Mitra living improvements of their way of life.



Component 4 is aimed at developing knowledge management, monitoring, and communication mechanisms, which will be based on an in-built adaptive feedback system from project results at various stages throughout the entire duration. Adequate governance mechanisms will be established to ensure the right development of the project and target fulfillment.


Duties and Responsibilities



The Operations Associate will provide dedicated support to the Plastic waste Management Programme and the Project Analyst to ensure effective expenditure and reporting of all project activities. The incumbent will support the implementation of the operational, administrative, and financial commitments under the project. S/he would also support the PMU in facilitating the monitoring and evaluation of project activities against the indicators framed for reporting progress.

Duties and Responsibilities:


• Support the Project Analyst and Plastic Waste Management Programme towards implementation of the project, including using the ERP system for annual budget inputs, expenditure tracking, and making timely payments.
• Facilitate coordination with various operations units such as Finance, Procurement, HR, Administration, and Security to meet the project's operational requirements and ensure compliance with UNDP regulations (PoPP).
• Coordinate the implementation of procurement strategy in consultation with the project management unit as per the annual work plans. Support tendering processes (advertisement of RFP/RFQ) and facilitate evaluation, contracting, and other requirements pertaining to the contracting of vendors in accordance with the corporate standards.
• Support towards tracking of deliverables and payment disbursements for the vendors contracted under the project for different activities/services/goods.
• Facilitate the recruitment processes of consultants and other experts as per the requirement of the projects in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure appropriate use of different contractual modalities and contract management.
• Assist in the analysis and identification of project-level operational and financial challenges, alert the Project Manager and the programme team and provide necessary/required administrative support to resolve them.
• Assist in Project Audits and Reviews as per UNDP and donor requirements, including Quality Assurance Assessment during the implementation of the various project activities
• Responsible for providing all logistics support towards the organizing of workshops and training programmes.
• Facilitate and support towards travel of Plastic Waste Management Programme colleagues
• Any other responsibility related to the project assigned by the Supervisor(s).

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:


Business Direction& Strategy:


• Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources

Business/ Project Management


• Knowledge generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge document.
• 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

Administration and operation:


• Events management (including workshops, trainings and meetings): Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.


Required Skills and Experience

Education:
• Secondary education is required.
• A university degree (Bachelors' degree) in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or any other closely related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement
Experience:
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience with secondary education (High School) OR
• 4 years with bachelor's degree in operations, Procurement, and Financial Management related to programme support services
• Ability to interpret, resolve and report on operational challenges
• Sound knowledge of financial rules, regulations and accounting procedures.
• Ability to promote accountability and resource-based management
• Good understanding of audit requirements and ensure compliance to the audit requirements.
• Documentation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Establishes priorities for self, schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources.
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values.
• Strong understanding and demonstrated work experience in handling finance and administration processes is required.
• Understanding of financial and/ or administrative processes of UNDP and/or international agencies will be an added advantage.
Required Languages:
• Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

Disclaimer




Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)




Under 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.




Applicant information about UNDP rosters




Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.




Non-discrimination




UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.



UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.



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