Job Description

Details:Mission and objectives:As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDPxe2x80x99s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.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 Indiaxe2x80x99s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. UNDP Indiaxe2x80x99s current Country Programme, 2018-2022, is in its final year of implementation.Our 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.Context:UNDPxe2x80x99s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) underpin UNDPxe2x80x99s commitment to mainstream social and environmental sustainability in our programmes and projects to support sustainable development. The objectives of the SES are to:

• Strengthen the social and environmental outcomes of Programmes and Projects
• Avoid adverse impacts on people and the environment
• Minimize, mitigate, and manage adverse impacts where avoidance is not possible
• Strengthen UNDP and partner capacities for managing social and environmental risks; and
• Ensure full and effective stakeholder engagement, including through a mechanism to respond to complaints from project-affected people.

A key mechanism to ensure the SES is applied is the project-level Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), which is a requirement for most proposed projects. The objectives of the SESP are to: (a) Integrate the SES Overarching Principles (leave no one behind, human rights, gender equality, sustainability and resilience, and accountability); (b) Identify potential social and environmental risks and their significance; (c) Determine the Project's risk category (Low, Moderate, Substantial, High); and (d) Determine the level of social and environmental assessment and management required to address potential risks and impacts.Under UNDP programmes and projects. a systematic approach is ensured to 6 key areas: people, knowledge, risk management including Social and Environment Safeguards, funding, operational excellence, and impact measurement.UNDP India seeks to engage the services of a Programme Associate (Social and Environment Safeguards) to support project-level compliance with the UNDP SES through project design and during project implementation, with a focus on high-priority projects. This will include development, implementation, quality assurance, spot-checking, and advising on measures to be taken to ensure effective implementation of and compliance with the SES. The Associate will also facilitate learning across the CO and beyond, tracking and sharing lessons learned.Task description:Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist & Head, Programme Management and Support Unit, and the Programme Associate, Action for Climate and Environment Unit, s/he will perform the following tasks:1. SES screenings

• Ensure pre-screening (concept stage) and/or full screening (development stage) of projects in compliance with UNDP SES policy
• Identify any potential environmental and social risks that may require additional specialized expertise or other considerations.
• Support preparation of draft and final deliverables, including but not limited to the completed SESP template with all supporting documents/evidence, as appropriate.

2. SES Assessments

• Support in quality assurance of impact assessments (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA); Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA); targeted assessment; etc.) as identified through SESP screening.
• Support in analysis of country level safeguards legal frameworks and provisions, also in comparison with UNDPxe2x80x99s SES to identify gaps.
• Engage stakeholders as relevant in the assessment processes and ensure submission of all SES documents in accordance with the annual SES workplan of the CO

3. SES Management Plans and Management Frameworks

• Ensure submission of quality reviewed management frameworks/plans (ESMF, ESMP, Indigenous Peoples Plan, Land Acquisition Plans, Resettlement Plan, Livelihoods Plan, etc.) as identified through SESP screening and as informed by SES assessments.
• Ensure submission of Stakeholder Engagement Plans, including design of project Grievance Redress Mechanisms.
• Flag any potential issues that may require additional specialized expertise or other considerations.
• Identify procedures and methods for risk avoidance, reduction, mitigation throughout project cycle.

4. Capacity Building

• Provide technical support to select active projects on the implementation and monitoring of the management plan(s).
• Ensure capacity building and training of the project team and partners on the safeguard requirements of the project as well as on FPIC, disclosure, etc.
• Review and provide support to ensure establishment of project level Grievance Redress Mechanism that is appropriate to the scale of the projectxe2x80x99s potential adverse risks and impacts.
• Document lessons learned, including from cases where things went wrong as well as good models of SES implementation.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated expertise in the development and quality assurance of safeguards instruments (e.g., SESPs, GRMs, protocols/action plans on Safeguards)
• Experience in designing social and environmental safeguards at the project level and providing technical support to implementing partners
• Possesses good understanding and knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Experience of working with international organizations, NGOs/ INGOs including the UN in implementation of projects with central ministries
• Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Intra-Internet, e-mail applications etc.
• Ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with colleagues (and reports where inappropriate)
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work with minimum supervision and handle tight deadlines.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Working in Teams

Area(s) of expertise:

• Energy and environment
• Development programmes
• Communication

Required education level:Bachelor degree or equivalentOther information: The assignment will be based in New Delhi. New Delhi is the capital city of India, experiences a diverse climate and has distinct living conditions influenced by its weather, infrastructure, and culture. A melting pot of cultures, languages, and cuisines, reflecting the diverse nature of India. Overall, living in Delhi offers a mix of modern urban life with deep-rooted traditions and challenges typical of a large, bustling metropolis.As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in New Delhi. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses.You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculatorFor information specific to your assignment, please see below:

• Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 64,961.50
• Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 (equivalent in INR)
• Relocation costs: $200 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV)
• Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment): INR 5,413.46 for each month served, paid on completion of contract
• Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts
• Annual leave: 2.5 days per month
• Learning: Access to UNV's learning and career development resources

For more information on entitlements, please read the Conditions of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos).

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