Project Officer, Programme Implementation - UNDP

Location :  New Delhi, INDIA

Application Deadline :  23-Feb-14

Additional Category:  Poverty Reduction

Type of Contract :  Service Contract

Post Level :  SB-4

Languages Required :  English

Duration of Initial Contract :  One Year (Renewable)

Background

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005 guarantees wage employment on public works to any adult who is willing to do casual manual work. In case there is inability to provide 100 days of wage employment per household per year, the household will be provided with a daily unemployment allowance. The programme is expected to cover poor households on the principle of self-selection.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)-UNDP partnership on ‘Governance and Accelerated Livelihoods Support’ helps strengthen the effectiveness of key Ministry programmes by providing (a) technical assistance to the Central and State governments to improve sustainable livelihoods with linkages to Panchayati Raj Institutions for governance in left wing extremism affected areas (b) policy advice and technical assistance to the Ministry and the state governments to help improve the efficiency, accountability and inclusiveness of National Rural Livelihoods Mission and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme and (c) policy advice and technical assistance to the Ministry and state governments to help “green” select schemes.

Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, UNDP provides technical support for efficient and accountable implementation through (a) introducing mechanisms for regular feedback to the Ministry with a focus on backward States (b) analysing operational procedures and recommending steps for rationalizing them; (c) establishing social audit directorates in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar; and (d) developing strategies for skill development of households employed under MGNREGP through NRLM.

As part of its support to MGNREGA, UNDP is looking for a dynamic individual to support the ministry in implementation of the programme. The selected candidate will be placed within the Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi.

The Project Officer will work under the guidance and supervision of the Joint Secretary, MGNREGA and Programme Analyst, UNDP. The Project Officer will be primarily responsible for integrating various aspects of implementation of the MGNREG programme. In this capacity, the incumbent will be responsible for facilitating development of state schemes, tracking outcomes, identifying implementation challenges and formulating strategies for addressing them

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Officer will be responsible for the following functions: 

·         Identify issues in implementation on the ground through field visits and reports. This will require extensive travel (not less than 12 days in a month);

·         Develop solutions and action plans to address the identified issues based on feedback from the ground and thorough analysis;

·         Guide the State Governments in formulating their Schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Act;

·         Help the States in improving performance on key parameters by training the key staff and resolving difficulties;

·         Prepare quarterly and annual reports to be submitted to GoI and UNDP;

·         Perform any other related tasks consistent with the level of the post and/ or assigned by the Joint Secretary, MGNREGA and Programme Analyst, UNDP.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

·         Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;

·         Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;

·         Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

·         Treats all people fairly without favoritism.  

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise;

·         Deep understanding of rural poverty and its reasons;

·         In-depth understanding MGNREG and other employment generation programmes and stature to advise State Governments on various aspects of programme implementation;

·         Ability to train key personnel in programme implementation; 

·         Multi-sectorial knowledge of various facets of poverty.

Building Strategic Partnerships

·         Establish, build and sustain effective relationship, partnerships and alliances;

·         Result-orientation and ability to develop strategic approaches;

·         Identify problems and propose solutions;

·         Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

·         Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;

·         Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

Knowledge and Skills: 

·         High degree of understanding of the MGNREG Act and its philosophy;

·         Deep knowledge of the MGNREG Programme and issues related to its implementation;

·         Ability to guide the convergence process based on multi-sectorial knowledge;

·         Passion for and adequate understanding of development challenges and rural poverty reduction;

·         Familiarity with government policies, programmes and government operational systems in India;

·         Proficiency in MS-Office, especially PowerPoint and Excel; understanding of Management Information System (MIS) is an asset;

Strong communication (written and oral) skills;

·         Ability to work in small teams, and flexible ways of working.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

·         Master’s Degree or equivalent in social science, social development, public policy or other relevant areas from a reputed university.

Experience:

·         At least ten years (post-masters) work experience in development administration;

·         At least three years’ experience in rural development and poverty alleviation programmes;

·         Experience in developing and implementing communications strategy targeting different stakeholders and designing and developing communications materials.

Language:

·         Fluency in English and Hindi is essential. Knowledge of regional language(s) would be an asset.

Remuneration Package is INR 127,175/- per month (Taxable).

How to Apply

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