Background

As part of collaboration between the Government of India (GoI) and UNDP, the project “Strengthening Human Resource Management of Civil Services” is being implemented by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoP) with core funding from UNDP.

The project focuses on developing capacities of civil servants and in strengthening their enabling environment in view of a more effective and efficient Human Resource Management at National and State level. The project bases its activities on strategic themes that have emerged from the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commissions and National Training Policy 2012.

Project is supporting implementation of innovative and emerging policies and practices in Human Resource Management and Capacity-building of Civil Services at the national and sub-national level. This includes piloting and implementation of competency-based human resource management, leadership development, training programmes evaluation and latest training tools and techniques. The Project is collaborating with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and state Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) in implementing capacity development activities.

In the last two years, 2013 and 2014, a lot of work has been done under the SHRM Project related to competency-based human resource management and leadership development.

Competency based Human Resource Management: One of the objectives of the project is to support the shift towards the Competency-based Human Resource Management of the Indian Civil Services. The National Training Policy 2012 emphasises the need for a Competency-based Human Resource Management (HRM) in the Civil Services, which was also acknowledged by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission and the Sixth Central Pay Commission. Subsequently, DoPT has included the development of a common Competency Framework for the Indian Civil Services in its 2012-13 Results Framework Document.

Under the aegis of this project and in keeping with the above recommendations, a Competency Dictionary for Civil Services has been developed under DoPT-UNDP SHRM Project. http://persmin.gov.in/otraining/Competency%20Dictionary%20for%20the%20Civil%20Services.pdf.

Competency mapping has been completed for all positions in DoPT; all positions of the three field offices of Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Regional Directors, Registrar of Companies and Office Liquidators; and the Central Secretarial Services (CSS) Cadre. Out of the 25 Competencies outlined in the Competency Dictionary, a set of 14 competencies have been identified for DoPT; under MCA, 10 competencies for Regional Directors, 11 competencies for Registrar of Companies and 10 competencies for Office Liquidators; 21 competencies for different roles within the CSS Cadre.

The next step planned by DOPT is to link competency requirements for specific jobs with training. Towards this, it proposes to set up Assessment and development Centres for a select number of Officers for whom Competency mapping has already been done.

Leadership development: DoPT is undertaking its leadership development initiative, in association with National Center for Leadership Development and Competency Assessment (NCLDCA) at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).  To facilitate the execution of this initiative, DoPT has initiated a scheme of creating a ‘National Pool of Leadership Trainers’ from among the serving officers and academicians to deliver modules on leadership.

Three leadership development modules are planned under this activity:

  • Basic Leadership Skills (BLS) Module – to be delivered during the Foundation Course.
  • Mezzanine Leadership Skills (MLS) Module – to be delivered during the Phase III mid-career training program (MCTP) for IAS officers.
  • Advanced Leadership Skills (ALS) Module – to be delivered during Phase IV MCTP for IAS officers.

Of the above the BLS and MLS have been designed and delivered while work is ongoing for the ALS module. DoPT is further looking at expansion and management of the Trainer pool to increase the scope of the Leadership training.

Summary of Key Functions:

The Research Officer will be based at Training Division, DoPT New Delhi and shall work under the direct supervision of Joint Secretary (Training) and National Project Director.  S/he will also have a reporting line to the UNDP supervisor. S/he will support the UNDP Project Manager (SHRM Project) in the overall activities related to Competency based HRM and Leadership Development; and work in coordination with the different stakeholders under the SHRM Project for smooth project implementation. As this is a full-time position, the Senior Research Analyst cannot hold any other job/assignments during this assignment.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Officer will be perform the following tasks:

Research and Development:

  • Conduct research on topics/ areas related to Competency based HRM (especially Assessment and Development Centres) and Leadership Development;
  • Support the development of concept paper/ case studies/ knowledge products related to work being done/planned under Competency based HRM and Leadership Development;
  • Design a systematic mechanism for Trainer management under Leadership Development activity.

Knowledge Management:

  • Share publications, key technical documents, knowledge papers, articles, insights and experiences on related subjects with the project partners through Knowledge Exchange Community.

Institutional Capacity Strengthening:

  • Support institutional capacity development of NC-LDCA and LBSNAA for strengthening competency assessment and development in the Civil Service;
  • Development of institutional development strategies that would respond to the capacity gaps identified in the assessments.

Project Implementation:

  • Developing/preparing Concept papers;
  • Assist in organizing various workshops, seminars, conferences, focused group discussions and consultation meetings for data collection and project purposes within the ambit of the project;
  • Coordinate project-related activities within all agencies involved such as DoPT, LBSNAA, NCGG, UNDP, and with service providers to ensure results are in accordance with the Work Plan;
  • Ensure adequate information flow, communication and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
  • Support in implementation of activities/outputs mentioned in the workplan;
  • Submit regular progress reports on deliverables to DoPT and UNDP as well as any other reports/ communication materials requested by DoPT and UNDP;
  • Undertake any other activities within the project as advised by project manager and senior management within UNDP and DOPT.

Time frame:

The project started in 2013 and is likely to continue till end 2017.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

  • Analysis and creation of messages and strategies;
  • Creates effective advocacy strategies;
  • Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
  • In-depth knowledge on human resource management and public administration reform issues;
  • Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Results Based Programme Development and Management

  • Contributing to results through provision of information;
  • Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
  • Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programmes implementation;
  • Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps in drafting proposals;
  • Participates in formulation of project proposals.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
  • Strong IT skills;
  • Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

  • Developing New Approaches;
  • Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
  • Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
  • Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Management and Leadership

  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • High interpersonal skills, and ability to remain calm, in control and good humored under pressure;
  • Ability to prioritise assignments and requirements, and multitask as needed;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Substantive Knowledge & Skills

  • In-depth knowledge of competency based HRM, leadership development concepts, theories and applications;
  • Excellent understanding of the Indian Civil Services and Public Administration;
  • Knowledge about Public Administration Reform processes in India and international practices in Good Governance;
  • Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
  • Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills.
  • Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Masters degree in the field of Leadership, Organisational Behaviour, Psychology, Human Resource Management, Organisational Development, Public Administration, Governance or related field with excellent academic record.

Experience:

  • Minimum 3 years of relevant professional/ academic/ research experience on Leadership, Organisation Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Governance or related field;
  • Experience of working with Central and/or State Governments/ NGOs/ Civil Society on similar assignments will be preferred;
  • Ability to produce high quality reports and knowledge products (samples may be requested as reference).

Language:

  • Excellent command of the English language;
  • Proficiency in at least one Indian language.

Travel:

  • Willingness to travel for data collection and project implementation.

Remuneration package is INR. 96,008/- per month (taxable).  UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance.