UNDP Jobs - 46052- Head Operations, Aajeevika Skills, Aajeevika Skill

Head Operations, Aajeevika Skills, Aajeevika Skills, GOI-UNDP Project - Governance and Accelerated Livelihood Support - (Open to Indian Nationals only)

Location :

New Delhi (Placed within the Ministry of Rural Development), INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-May-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (Extendable)

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

The Government of India launched the “National Rural Livelihood Mission” (NRLM) in June 2011 after restructuring its flagship scheme “Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana” (SGSY). This had been done in view of the shortcomings pointed out by various independent evaluation/research studies and recommendations by various committees and the experience of implementation of the programme over the last ten years. The NRLM functions in a mission mode for target based time bound delivery of outcomes following a demand driven approach which would allow the states to formulate their own poverty alleviation plans on the basis of available allocation, resources and skills. The Budget requirement for NRLM is Rs. 20, 000 crore for the 12th plan.

Aajeevika Skills is a sub-mission under NRLM. It has evolved out of the need to:

Cater to the occupational aspirations of the rural youth who are poor; and
To diversify incomes of the rural poor.

UNDP is partnering with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) for the “Governance and Accelerated Livelihood Support” (GOALS) project which focuses on strengthening the effectiveness of key MoRD programmes to improve sustainable livelihoods in areas affected by left-wing extremism, helping improve the efficiency, accountability and inclusiveness of MGNREGP and NRLM; and helping “green” MGNREGP, NRLM and IAY.

As part of its support to NRLM, UNDP is looking for a dynamic individual for the position of Head, Operations for Aajeevika Skills.

Summary of Key Functions:

The Head, Operations will work under the guidance and supervision of the COO, Aajeevika Skills and Programme Analyst, UNDP. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for supporting management of key operations of the Aajeevika Skills National Unit (ASNU). The incumbent will work towards attainment of the results envisaged by Aajeevika Skills to the required standards of quality and within the constraints of time and cost.

For this, s/he will ensure that Aajeevika Skills:

Delivers on its objectives; and
Achieves its goals at state and district levels.

S/he will undertake any other task assigned by the COO, Aajeevika Skills and Programme Analyst, UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the COO, Aajeevika Skills and Programme Analyst, UNDP, the Head, Operations has the responsibility for the following tasks:

Thematic Responsibilities:

Lead the project appraisal process for Aajeevika Skills;
Support the CIO and ASNU in ICT related initiatives of Aajeevika Skills;
Head the Finance, Budgeting, HR, facilities management processes of ASNU;
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 ASNU, MoRD and Programme Analyst, UNDP.

Operational Responsibilities:

Ensure timely and effective preparation of Budgets for ASNU and Aajeevika Skills programme, monitor budgets and related financial reporting;
Drive the fiduciary process for ASNU and Aajeevika Skills including management of internal and external audit.
Coordinate with donor agencies on funding and ensure proper reporting;
Lead the general administration and facilities management requirements of ASNU;
Support all ICT related initiatives including preparation of proposals, project management, related Capacity Building and national roll out of ICT projects;
Develop Project appraisal policy, ensure systematic project appraisals for approval by the Empowered Committee, and ensure timely approvals including establishment and management of related Technical Support Agencies.

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:

Knowledge about India’s development administration systems;
Good understanding of management issues relating to Human resource Management, e-governance, project appraisal for development projects;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Peoples’ orientation and the ability to work with people;
Establish, build and sustain effective relationships, partnerships and alliances, advocate effectively and communicate sensitively;
Result-orientation and ability to develop strategic approaches;
Identifies problems and propose solutions;
Demonstrates extremely strong influencing and facilitation skills.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
Builds staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Shares knowledge across the organization and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity;
Builds and promotes effective teams using mentoring and conflict resolution skills;
Works as a team member;
Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Ability to work independently and under pressure;
Schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking;
Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Graduate degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Political Science, Other sciences, Rural Development, Development Studies, engineering and/or other related fields.

Experience:

A minimum of 15 years of experience in leading large programmes, preferably in the government;
Experience in heading leading large organizations and programs in a range of functional areas;
Experience in implementing e-governance projects;
Experience in government rules and procedures is desirable.

Language:

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

Others:

Willingness to travel extensively.

Remuneration package is 256,240 per month (taxable).