UNDP Jobs - 43913- Project Executive, Alternative Technology, GOI-UN

Project Executive, Alternative Technology, GOI-UNDP Project “Governance and Accelerated Livelihoods Support” - (Open to Indian Nationals only )

Location :

New Delhi, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Feb-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (Renewable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 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.

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.

Under the programme, buildings are being constructed for Gram Panchayats, intermediate Panchayats, Self-help Groups, village haats, Anganwadi buildings, toilets, etc. Roads connecting the production centres to the pucca roads are being constructed. All these are to be constructed by the beneficiaries or their groups without middlemen. The technologies should, therefore, be people-centered, and least polluting.

As part of its support to MGNREGA, UNDP is looking for a dynamic individual with adequate exposure to alternative technologies in construction of roads and buildings under MGNREG to innovate, train and promote use of such ‘green’ technologies by all field functionaries.

The selected candidate will be placed within the Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi.

The Consultant will work under the guidance and supervision of the Joint Secretary, MGNREGA and Programme Analyst, UNDP. The Consultant will be primarily responsible for guiding the MGNREG programme on works related to alternative technology. In this capacity, the incumbent will provide policy advice, strategic guidance to and share knowledge with the government on use of alternative technology to improve MGNREGA works. This would entail identifying potential technologies where MGNREGA can contribute towards improving the quality of rural development works, facilitation of capacity assessment and capacity building for states, and documentation of key alternative technologies use in MGNREGA implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will be responsible for the following functions:

Document use of alternative technology for improving quality of public work:

Conduct continuous analysis of use of alternative technology in MGNREGS works;
Analyse monitoring reports on quality improvement of MGNREGA work after use of alternative technology;
Analyse on a monthly basis, the overall quality of works in different states;
Assist in updating the works guideline and monitoring status reports of the state government on works implementation;
Identify potential problems and facilitate overall programming decisions;
Undertake field visits for monitoring purposes, providing guidance and collecting information.

Demonstration and roll out of alternative ‘green’ technology:

Identifying potential technologies where MGNREGA can contribute towards improving the quality of rural development works;
Map out the current use of alternative technology in the implementation of MGNREGA work in States, conduct gap analysis, identify opportunities highlighting MGNREGS role in improving the quality of work;
Formulate appropriate programme response plans in collaboration with the relevant government agencies;
Develop training calendar and material for training of State level official;
Identify key resource agency and person to impart training in different states;
Co-ordinate with NIRD and SIRD for regular training input on use of alternative technology to improve quality of works.

Coordinate with State Government on MGNREGA works:

Coordinate with State Government on works related problem;
Visit to State to identify issues and provide solution to local functionaries;
Document good works models related to MGNREGA works;
Provide resource support to state government regarding use of alternative technology in MGNREGA work.

Develop and share information related to the programme:

Document good practices on use of technology in improving MGNREGA works;
Provide policy advice, strategic guidance and knowledge-sharing related to MGNREGA works on use of technology in MGNREGA works to the government including through facilitation of relevant capacity assessment, informal dialogue with working groups;
Monitor and review regular sources of information and data to prepare reports, e.g., information from central government, districts official, other national and local NGOs, news clippings, surveys, information from field monitors, government published information, for assigned states;
Compile field level information required for operational reports when required;
Participate in various policy and partnership such as the government-donor technical working groups (TWGs), as well as relevant meetings on climate change;
Assist in the preparation, writing and editing of reports required by the Ministry of Rural Development – such as Annual Reports, Field Study Reports;
Provide periodic reporting to the State Government, MoRD and UNDP on the performance of the Scheme;
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:

In-depth understanding of alternative technology in implementation of rural development works/ programmes;
Peoples’ orientation and the ability to work with people;
Stature to advise central and state governments on policy matters.

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.

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:

Passion for and adequate understanding of development challenges and rural poverty reduction;
Knowledge of community participation;
Ability to work with people having a peoples’ perspective of engineering;
Good understanding of large Government programmes;
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) would be 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 in Agricultural or Civil Engineering or equivalent in Engineering or related fields.

Experience:

At least two years’ (post masters) relevant professional field experience in rural development programmes involving agricultural/ rural engineering works and technology deployment;
Experience in rural development pogrammes particularly with those that involve design, execution, monitoring and valuation of rural development works;
Experience in implementation of Area –Development or Wage-Employment Programmes;
Experience of coordinating multi-stakeholder projects.

Language:

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

Remuneration Package is INR 84,802/- per month (Taxable).